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Vessel Design

kjerram edited this page Nov 20, 2023 · 6 revisions

Overview

A small number of vessel design factors can 'make or break' mapping data quality. While some factors may be addressed after construction, some must be incorporated at the earliest design stages.

For instance, bubble generation and sweep along the transducer arrays can effectively halt mapping operations. Bubbles can also potentially damage TX hardware when transmitting into aerated layers. The costs of hull modifications to address bubble issues are generally not feasible. A mapping vessel with these design flaws will suffer from severely reduced data quality, less efficient survey operations, and lower return on investment over its service life.

This page highlights a handful of design factors that are paramount for mapping:

  1. Bubbles
  2. Noise levels
  3. Hull rigidity
  4. Drop keel design
  5. Antenna installation

Mappers and designers are encouraged to add examples (both 'good' and 'bad' are useful) and other factors that are difficult or impossible to address after construction.

Bubbles

Bubble generation

Bubble sweep

Noise levels

Flow noise

Cavitation

Machinery noise

Electrical noise

Hull rigidity

Flex between sensors

Drop keel design

Motion sensor location

Sound speed sensor location

Repeatability of deployment

Extension through bubble layer

Antenna installation

Sky view

Interference

Rigidity