![MaritimeJournal[Seawork]](https://www.maritimejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/MaritimeJournalSeawork.svg)
Sonardyne Fusion for MBARI ROVS
Sonardyne International ofYateley reports acquisition of two of its Fusion USBL (Ultra-Short Baseline) acoustic tracking systems by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) to provide high-accuracy subsea positioning for its two deepwater ROVs, Ventana and Tiburon .
The California-based organisation is a leading research centre on the US west coast and will be installing the Fusion systems on two support vessels, Western Flyer and Point Lobos.
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.
