The equipment being delivered includes two Data Fusion engines, super sub-mini transponders depth-rated to 4,000m, and a series of transceivers which will provide optimum performance for both shallow and deepwater operations.

Both systems will provide precision positioning in conjunction with greater flexibility in day-to-day operations, says Sonardyne. This will be possible through elimination of separate onboard acoustic hardware traditionally required for different subsea positioning and navigation operations.

With one-box Fusion, the company adds, the same vessel equipment can be used to undertake a long-range towfish tracking project one day and a deepwater site survey the next. A system basically integrates raw acoustic data with that from other available sensors such as those for position, attitude, heading and velocity, and is designed for all types of vessel.