Techniques for offshore research

Multibeam echo sounder, Sidescan sonar and Multiprobe gradiometer
By being dragged along by a survey vessel, these geophysical measuring techniques make it possible to create detailed maps of the waterbottom.

  • The multibeam echo sounder maps the water depth; local deviations in detph may indicate the presence of a large object on the waterbottom,
  • The sidescan sonar is even more accurate in visualizing objects on the bottom of the sea in great detail.
  • The multiprobe gradiometer determines whether the objects detected by the multibeam echo sounder and sidescan sonar consist of ferrous material. It's magnetometers are also able to look several meters deep into the water bottom.

ROV and AUV
The offshore UXO survey is performed from a ship using an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) and/or AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) and several measuring techniques. The ROV for example is equipped with a rack of 8 to 12 gradiometer probes, a short-range sonar and a camera.