Fugro has donated two EdgeTech 2400 DT-2 Deep Tow side-scan sonar survey systems to the CSIRO, as part of the company’s ongoing support of global ocean science initiatives.
The survey systems are capable of operating at depths up to 6,000 metres and were once used by Fugro in the deep waters of the southern Indian Ocean during the search for the aircraft that went missing on flight MH370.
According to EdgeTech, the 2400 Series unit is a fully integrated combined side-scan sonar (with optional wide swath MPES bathymetry) and sub-bottom profiling system designed for deep water operation.
The dual simultaneous frequency side-scan sonar comes with a choice of 75 kHz, 120 kHz or 410 kHz frequencies, any of which can be paired together.
Fugro says it no longer needs the systems in its daily operations and is happy to donate them to CSIRO.
“Fugro is delighted that CSIRO will be incorporating this into the already extensive capabilities of the Investigator research vessel,” said Nina Levy, Fugro Service Line Manager – Geophysics & Hydrography Pacific said.
“We are excited by the research opportunities that this deep tow equipment can offer to the Australian scientific research community.”
The two side-scan sonar systems will now be used onboard CSIRO’s research vessel RV Investigator, enhancing Australian ocean and environmental research such as high-resolution deep-sea mapping and the study of biodiversity in deepwater benthic habitats.
“We sincerely thank Fugro for their generous donation of these systems which will further enhance the impressive scientific capabilities that CSIRO research vessel Investigator offers to the Australian marine and atmospheric research community,” said Toni Moate, CSIRO Marine National Facility Director.
