Continuing to work closely with Reson, Cheetah Marine has fitted the Reson 7125 MBES and sound velocity probe with CodaOctopus 185R+ motion sensor. The instruments are mounted within Cheetah’s Hydropod system which is then lowered through the moonpool into the water column. As part of Cheetah’s ongoing survey development programme, the Hydropod has evolved, producing the most hydrodynamic design to date, enabling excellent data to be acquired at 15 knots.

The Cheetah launch is a most versatile small survey boat, from which transit lines can be completed accurately at speeds from 3 to 15 knots, offering an economic survey solution. A triple axle fully disc braked trailer completes the package, enabling the whole rig to be slipway launched and recovered. Each trailer is designed and built to suit each specific 7.9m Cheetah. The robust trailer makes long distance road towing straightforward with a suitable towing vehicle such as a Toyota Landcruiser.

Clydeside's newbuild, ‘66K’, has been fitted with twin 90hp Honda four stroke outboards and will achieve top speeds of 20 knots between survey sites with the multibeam still in position. For higher speeds up to 27 knots, the system is winched up and a blanking plate, which follows the lines of the hull, inserted into the moonpool. The hydrodynamic pod is then secured within a stainless steel superstructure ready to be deployed at the next survey site. Dowel pins are used to fix the system into exactly the same place after each successive deployment so recalibration is not required.

The Cheetah Survey System enables vast quantities of data to be collected. By minimizing transit times between sites, hydrographers can spend more time acquiring larger volumes of data at specific sites, essential when surveying busy ports or tidally constrained waters. A draught of only 30cm enables shallow water and drying banks to be accessed.

Inside ‘66K’, the long survey style wheelhouse is fitted out with a port side work bench, with storage below housing computer hardware and survey equipment. Behind the helm suspension seat is a starboard bench seat with additional storage below. Three computer screens are fitted on the dash adjacent to the helm, giving real-time visualization of the survey data. Forward of the dash is a portable sea toilet, with additional storage space for safety kit.

Cheetah Marine has fabricated stainless steel rails all round and the vessel conforms to the MCA Code of Practice Category 3, 20 miles from a safe haven.