Following a series of extensive trials carried out on the River Moy in Ireland, the River Moy Search & Rescue (RMSR) team have now taken delivery of Marine Sonic Technology’s new ARC Explorer Mk-II side scan sonar system, partially funded by local donations.

The adaptive CHIRP Technology of the ARC Explorer Mk-II provides the highest imaging quality possible from a side scan sonar with its 900 kHz and 1800 kHz transducers, and supports ranges up to 60 percent greater than non-adaptive CHIRP systems. The dedicated RMSR team of volunteers are the first in the world to operate the new Mk-II system which offers a number of improvements over its popular predecessor including a stainless-steel tow fish body, new tail section and enhanced software and is designed for search, survey, and recovery applications.

The trials and training were carried out with teams from Marine Sonic Technology and Planet Ocean Limited using an advanced prototype system at the Ballina facility, and included spotting and identifying divers lying on the bottom in difficult to isolate locations.

The high-resolution imaging and simultaneous dual frequency operation in conjunction with a fully adjustable tow point and transducer angle make it an ideal tool for survey and infrastructure inspection applications that require a high level of flexibility. The rugged construction and a 300-meter depth rating in a one-man portable system more than fulfil the needs of the search & recovery and security communities.

The RMSR team were able to operate the system themselves after only a small amount of training and its small size means it can operate from their rigid boat without davits.

Story by Planet Ocean Limited