Estimation of Effective Swath Width for Dual-Head Multibeam Echosounder

Abstract

Abstract Many surveying companies and maritime institutions are now using multibeam systems for their operations, either offshore or in coastal and inland waters. Since the time the first multibeam echosounder appeared (late 1970s) the technology has advanced enormously. Modern systems now boast far greater angular coverage (typically 120°-150°) and form hundreds of beams. Dual-head multibeam systems can potentially cover the entire sector (180°) underneath the ship. However surveyors must be aware that the outer beams of these acoustic systems return the most errors causing that the effective swath width is shorter than what the manufacturers declare. The paper presents the methods of estimating of effective (usable) swath width of dual-head multibeam echosounder EM 3002D. Results of the hydrographic survey performed by the polish navy survey ship ORP ‘Arctowski’ have been showed in the article.