SCOUT provides the same high levels of accuracy as other Sonardyne USBL systems but incorporates features aimed at a different, but equally demanding, range of applications. This enables Sonardyne to offer SCOUT at a price that is expected to bring it within the budget of a wide range of new users. These include salvage, civil engineering, educational and scientific organisations as well as users in archaeology and the oceanographic industry.

Available in Standard and Portable configurations, the system calculates the position of a subsea target by measuring the range and bearing from an acoustic transceiver on the vessel to a low-cost transponder fitted to the target. SCOUT has been developed as a ‘plug and play’ system that is simple to install, straightforward to<$>operate and convenient to move from boat to boat. These features will appeal to users with little or no previous experience of USBL technology and also<$>to those who want a system that they can ‘switch on and start tracking’.

A SCOUT system comprises of four parts; control software, a vessel-based acoustic transceiver, a surface interface unit and low-cost transponders. The software is based upon Sonardyne’s acoustic navigation software application, Pharos, which allows a single surface vessel to track multiple subsea targets.

The software can run on any standard PC and has been designed to be very intuitive to operate with only basic user training required. Features include Wizards and tools that can guide an operator through the process of planning a job and configuring transponders in preparation for tracking.

MJ Information No: 20612