The latest hydrographic survey equipment will include an EA600 single beam echo-sounder, EM302 and EM3002 multibeam echo sounders, an Edgetech dual frequency 4200 digital sidescan sonar, a chirp sub-bottom profiler, an Hydroscience SeeMUX digital system with a seismic source of up to 970 cu in firing into a 3000 solid digital streamer, and a HiPAP 500 USBL system. The vessel will have full plug and play interconnectivity and Fugro’s dual DGPS high precision navigation systems. The layout will permit simultaneous analogue/digital survey and AUV operations. Geotechnical and ROVSV duties can also be undertaken.  

The trial speed was given as 12.8 knots. Fugro Searcher  will have diesel electric drive, a specially designed hull form, resilient engine mounts and rudder propellers to maximise station keeping and navigational control while ensuring acoustically quiet running at survey speeds. It will accommodate 43 people and, Fassmer said, 'be a comfortable and spacious vessel on which to work.'

Previous ships ordered in Norway by Fugro have used Polish hulls, but it was not reported if a Polish hull would be used on Fugro Searcher.

By Tom Todd