Sonar Technology News

FarSounder, an innovator in 3D forward looking navigation sonar technology, has announced a new integration with Anschütz GmbH’s (W)ECDIS NX navigation platforms. This collaboration brings FarSounder’s real-time underwater detection and seafloor mapping data directly into the SYNAPSIS interface. Anschütz’s SYNAPSIS interface enables third-party systems to contribute geo-referenced data layers, such as sonar returns, onto the chart display without requiring modification to the system itself.

Kongsberg Discovery has announced the commercial launch of the FS80 Trawl Sonar.The compact, modular and multifrequency solution is the market’s first sonar system to combine net monitoring, intake profiling and bottom detection in a single unit, making the very latest sonar technology accessible to fishery operators, big and small. Originally unveiled at Pacific Marine Expo (PME) in November last year, the innovation has now been put through its paces in extensive sea trails…

Dawn Massa Stancavish, President, CEO, and Chief Innovation Officer, Massa Products Corporation, recently joined Rhonda Moniz on the DEEP DIVE podcast to discuss this innovative company’s rich history and its role in helping to inspire a new generation of technology workers.

Kraken Robotics Inc. announced the passing of founder and former CEO, Karl Kenny on February 11, 2025, at the age of 64. Karl founded Kraken in 2012 and was instrumental in building the company into a leading player in subsea robotics over his 10-year tenure, before retiring in December 2022. “An ideas man and a builder, Karl’s energy was as relentless as his passion to compete against the bigger industry players,” said Greg Reid, President and CEO of Kraken Robotics. “He was an incredible force that drove Kraken to success.

Van Oord’s cutter suction dredger Biesbosch and trailing suction hopper dredger Vox Apolonia are teaming up to dredge the Prinses Amaliahaven located on Maasvlakte in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.A consortium of Van Oord, HOCHTIEF and Ballast Nedam has constructed 2.4 kilometres of new quay wall. The new quays are being dredged to a depth of more than 20 metres below sea level. This development means that the Port of Rotterdam Authority is ensuring an expansion of container capacity in Rotterdam.In total 1…

Propspeed, an innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, received an endorsement from FarSounder, a pioneer in navigation and obstacle avoidance systems, which has tested the Propspeed Foulfree foul-release coating and recommends it for application by their customers, dealers and partner shipyards.“Our unique, patented technology is designed to paint a clear picture of what lies ahead underwater and along the bottom,” said Cheryl Zimmerman, CEO, FarSounder. “Marine growth on our transducers could limit the effectiveness of our products and potentially put a vessel in a hazardous situation.

This year marks two decades that FarSounder has been dedicated to developing its unique 3D Forward Looking Sonar technology (3D FLS). Back in 2001, the company's founders saw a need for a solution to answer the question of what is in front of my vessel underwater right now. This real world issue has since been mitigated with the innovative Argos navigation sonar systems.“These 20 years have been a fascinating journey. We started by listening to the marketplace, focusing on delivering a high-quality product and providing superior customer service.

As COVID-19 continues to challenge many business plans and practices, the advent of remote inspection techniques is growing in popularity. What is reported to be the world’s first in-water remote ship surveys using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) have been completed by DNV GL.In-water bottom surveys using ROVs have now been carried out on three separate Wilson ASA-managed vessels with the first having been completed on the Wilson Fedje in December 2019 by a surveyor from Høvik. The survey was performed earlier in July on another ASA Wilson-managed vessel in Bergen, Norway.

Kongsberg Maritime AS has signed an agreement to sell its underwater technology subsidiary company Hydroid, Inc. for $350 million to shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). In conjunction with the transaction, HII and Kongsberg Maritime are also establishing a strategic alliance to jointly market naval and maritime products and services to the U.S. government market and potentially to global markets.Kongsberg Maritime acquired Hydroid for USD 80 million in 2007 and is now selling this US subsidiary for USD 350 million on a debt-free and cash-free basis and as adjusted off an agreed upon working capital."Kongsberg Maritime has driven technology development and created considerable value during the 12 years it has owned Hydroid, and we are capitalizing on this now.

FarSounder has debuted a new sonar and a new name for its series of 3D forward-looking navigation sonars. With the company’s continued growth and focus on research and development, it was time to give the series a name and offer more alternatives. The new name is the Argos series and are now 3 models in the series. The latest model the Argos 350 will be revealed for the first time at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS).This new sonar option has all the same applications and quality found in its other navigational sonars.

As Oceanology International celebrates its 50th Anniversary, Marine Technology Reporter explores half a century of subsea technology development and discovery. Oceanology International Americas runs February 25-27, 2019 in San Diego.When Oceanology launched in 1969 in the seaside resort of Brighton the world was a very different place. For a start, Brighton was home to the mods and rockers, who would square off against each other on the town’s elegant seafront. The British currency included shillings and ha’ pennies and man had yet to step foot on the moon.More crucially…

The FarSounder-1000 Forward Looking Sonar (FLS), has been selected by the OceanX exploration team to help provide safe passage for Alucia2, its new 85.3m research and exploration yacht. Admarel BV, a member of the Alewijnse Group, is the FarSounder dealer in the Netherlands instrumental in securing this sale.With the inclusion of a FarSounder-1000, operators of the vessel will be able to view a true underwater 3D image ahead of the ship up to 1000 meters range. The sonar’s technology…

For experts in the field of ocean mapping it is no small irony that we know more about the surfaces of the Moon and Mars than we do about our planet's sea floor."Can you imagine operating on the land without a map, or doing anything without a map?" asked Larry Mayer, director of the U.S.-based Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, a research body that trains hydrographers and develops tools for mapping."We depend on having that knowledge of what's around us - and the same is true for the ocean…

As the global fleet of offshore renewables fleet increases, ways to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency and safety of operations and maintenance work, using robotics and autonomous systems, will also grow. Elaine Maslin reports.Robotics and autonomous systems are moving into many areas of modern day life. It’s becoming harder to avoid them, from our phones to automotive systems and now offshore energy renewable projects.Both are seen as tools to do otherwise dull, dirty or dangerous work…

Lowrance announced today the release of a high-performance addition to the HDS series of fishfinders/chartplotters – Lowrance HDS Carbon. The new Lowrance HDS Carbon adds a high-performance dual core processor, multi-touch SolarMAX HD screen, dual channel CHIRP and Network Dual Sounder to the proven features that have made HDS multifunction displays the choice of anglers at all levels. The HDS Carbon series includes 12-, 9- and 7-inch models. Anglers in the market for a want-it-all integrated system need a processor that can smoothly drive the high-tech capabilities of HDS Carbon like StructureScan 3D with SideScan and DownScan Imaging, dual channel CHIRP sonar, StructureMap, Broadband Radar and SiriusXM Weather Chart Overlay.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) delivered the first of three lots of mine hunting sonar upgrade kits to the U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division. The ultimate end users will be the HM-12, -14 and -15 Mine Countermeasures Squadrons. The production contracts from the Navy’s PMS-495 are for upgrading 27 AQS-24A mine hunting systems into the more advanced AQS-24B system. The kits contain all the components necessary to upgrade the existing 27 AQS-24A mine hunting systems into the more advanced AQS-24B system. Work is being done in three production lots.

A development by Fugro for its work class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) has been utilised successfully in cable lay touchdown monitoring operations at the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. A new track base unit, fitted to its FCV ROV, has been introduced to ensure highly accurate cable positioning during cable lay operations in strong currents. The unit ensures the continuation of operations in strong currents by enabling the ROV to run along the seabed instead of flying through the water. It is fitted to the existing ROV frame but can be detached easily if required. The unit was developed following another project for E.ON at the Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm in 2015…

Navico – a provider of marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and GoFree brands – announced that Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division and Altor Fund IV have partnered and signed an agreement to acquire Navico from the Altor 2003 Fund. Navico is an innovative force within the recreational and commercial marine electronics market and has a rich history of investment in research and development. In the last two years, the company developed such technologies as the HALOTM Pulse Compression Radar technology…

Maritime security technology company, Sonardyne International Ltd, has demonstrated the capabilities of its Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance Sonar, NOAS, during three days of water borne demonstrations in Plymouth, south-west England. More than 25 equipment specifiers, owners’ representatives and vessel operators from the European superyacht industry, commercial shipping and naval community attended the event in late November to witness first-hand the capabilities of NOAS as an important new aid to vessel navigation and underwater obstacle avoidance.

Willard Marine informs it was awarded a contract to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with three aluminum hydrographic survey launch ships (HSLs). The three 28-foot HSLs will be used to conduct oceanographic surveys with hull-mounted and towed sonar units in U.S. coastal waters. A Cummins QSC8.3 engine capable of 510 HP with a ZF Marine 305-2 transmission will be used to power the boats. Outfitted to support traditional manned survey operations, the HSLs will offer additional flexibility to add unmanned autonomous capability.

A new partnership between maritime security company MAST and marine sonar systems provider WESMAR has been established to protect super yachts and the maritime industry from security risks. Phil Cable, CEO of MAST, said: “Global threats to assets and personnel operating in the maritime environment are complex and continually evolving. WESMAR President Bruce Blakey said: “Our sonar technology is used as a navigational tool for obstacle avoidance and other underwater threats. In addition to being an asset to vessels…

Diver detection sonar technology developed by Sonardyne International Ltd, UK, has played a part in a international exercise organized to train naval forces in mine countermeasures, maritime security operations and harbor protection operations. The International Mine Counter-Measures Exercise (IMCMEX) runs off the coast of Bahrain every 18 months to test the abilities of the navies of the world to keep sea lanes open and safe. A total of 6,500 personnel and 38 warships from 44 navies took part in the event, the third and largest so far.

Simrad Yachting, announced today its partnership with Key West Boats, Inc. With a reputation for uncompromising attention to detail, particularly in construction and design, Key West has established a history of a worry-free experience for owners and unsurpassed resale value for prospective buyers. Key West has selected the Simrad NSO evo2 system to be the standard navigation system for the new series of Billistic high-performance offshore fishing boats – adding value and excellence to this heritage. The Billistic 351 by Key West is the first of three exciting new models in the series. This beautiful 35-foot center console, designed for offshore fishing…