Cruise ID: SKQ202306T
Multibeam System: EM302/EM710
Dates: April 11, 2023
The University of Alaska’s UNOLS vessel R/V Sikuliaq (SKQ) is equipped with Kongsberg Maritime EM302 and
EM710 multibeam echosounders and a Seapath 320 positioning / attitude system
- Following a routine maintenance visit from Kongsberg to SKQ in January, the Multibeam Advisory Committee
(MAC) was asked to assist with Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) of the ship’s EM302 and EM710 ahead of the
2023 field season; MAC personnel provided remote support for line planning and data analysis from shore - MAC communication with SKQ personnel (Ethan Roth) commenced in winter 2022-23 with planning for
calibrations (‘patch tests’) for both systems at two proven calibration sites off Washington: - EM302 at a site used by R/V Thomas G. Thompson (2018), R/V Sikuliaq (2021-22), E/V Nautilus, and others
- EM710 at a site used by R/V Sikuliaq (2021)
- The MAC appreciates UAF’s early and clear communication regarding the vessel’s schedule and working areas, as
well as efforts to thoroughly document and organize the data throughout these tests - This QAT is likely the last for the EM302, EM710, and Seapath 320 as configured; during the next dry dock, UAF is
planning to upgrade the EM302 to an EM304 MKII, replace the EM710 RX array with a spare, and upgrade the
navigation system to a Seapath 380 with two MGC-R3 units (also approved heading devices for the bridge) - This report describes the calibration results and implementation in SIS; see the 2014-22 reports for histories of
system geometry, hardware health, swath coverage, swath accuracy, and RX noise
Attached Documents
Report:
Related Information