Hydrographic surveying is the science of measuring and describing the physical features of the bottom of a water body, including the depth, shape, and composition of the seabed. The purpose of hydrographic surveying is to provide a detailed understanding of the underwater environment, which can be used for various applications, such as navigation, charting, dredging, and environmental
management. One of the most common tools used in hydrographic surveying is the single beam echo sounder, which can be mounted to a jet ski for efficient and cost-effective surveys.
A single beam echo sounder (SBES) is a device that measures the depth of water by sending a sound pulse from a transducer, which is mounted on the underside of the jet ski, to the seabed and then recording the time it takes for the sound to bounce back to the transducer. The time taken for the sound to return to the transducer is used to calculate the depth of the water, and this information is displayed on a screen in real-time.
Using a jet ski with a mounted SBES has several advantages over traditional surveying methods. First, it is a cost-effective solution as the jet ski is a relatively cheap platform compared to other survey vessels. Second, it is more manoeuvrable than larger vessels, which makes it ideal for surveying shallow water or surf zones. Third, it can cover a large area quickly, which makes it an efficient method for conducting surveys.
