The technical success of the unprecedented SeaBat 7125 multibeam led to RESON being awarded a number of contracts in the offshore sector in 2008. Fourteen SeaBat 7125 multibeam sonar systems, mounted on ROVs, have been delivered to key British contractors and marine survey equipment rental companies.

All SeaBat 7125 systems provide a depth rating of up to 6,000m and feature either a single (400kHz) or dual frequency (200kHz/400kHz). The dual frequency version allows a change of frequency without replacing or reconfiguring the sonar and thus reduces the survey time. SeaBat 7125 is used for a variety of offshore applications such as pipeline route surveys, underwater installations and inspections, rig moves and cable route surveys.

Common to all these orders of the SeaBat 7125 is the fact SeaBat sonar systems have the ability to operate in harsh conditions that are constantly changing. Furthermore, with an effective swath width of 128°, up to 512 beams, a fast ping rate and a range of up to 300m with the dual frequency configuration, the SeaBat 7125 has the capacity to map the sea floor faster and more accurately than ever before.

With higher resolution and deeper depth ratings, we believe the new SeaBat 7000 series will become the system of choice for all offshore applications in 2009.

Seatronics added four more SeaBat 7125 systems to its large pool of SeaBat systems, where some are configured into dual-head systems.

Oceanscan and Dynamic Positioning Services Limited (DPS) took their first orders of a SeaBat 7125. The ROV operations company, Fugro Rovtech, took delivery of four SeaBat 7125 sonar systems, also configured into two dual-head systems. Finally the survey companies Osiris Projects and Clydeside Surveys each purchased a system for offshore applications.

Angus Cooper, RESON VP of sales for EMEA, said: “For years RESON sonars such as SeaBat 8125 have been the preferred solution in the offshore industry. However, with these new contracts, more than 40 units of the new SeaBat 7125 are in operation in offshore applications in the global offshore area and more than 150 units across all business areas.

“This confirms RESON’s position as the leading supplier of high-resolution sonar systems for the offshore sector and we expect to further cement this with similar sales growth in this sector, as well as in hydrographic, marine research and defence and security areas.”