SIDE SCAN SONAR (SSS)

BENTOS Servicios y Equipos Marinos Ltda.

Avda. Suecia 3005, uoa, Santiago

Telephone: (56 2) 296 373 60
Fax: (56 2) 296 373 77
E-mail: info@bentos.cl

THE SIDE SCAN SONAR (SSS), WHAT IT IS

The SSS system, developed to create acoustic images of large areas of the surface of the marine bottom,
consists of one of the variants of the original SONAR (SOund Navigation And Range) system, which searches
the water column at high frequency (usually between 100- 900 kHz) by means of acoustic scanning to the
side and orthogonally in respect with the line of navigation. The restitution of the acoustic images makes it
possible to perform the mapping and characterization of bottom cover, the detection of objects or obstacles
for navigation, inspections of submerged structures, exploration of shipwreck remains, the monitoring and
inspection of maritime and port constructed works and submarine cables and pipelines (Benabdeloued et al.,
2010).
BENTOS has the model 872 YellowFin SSS system by Imagenex, which operates on three frequencies: 260,
330 and 800 kHz.

Imagenex model 872 YellowFin SSS.

http://www.imagenex.com/

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THE SSS SYSTEM, HOW IT FUNCTIONS

Integrated on a tow fish structure, the sensor is towed with a communications cable linked to the control
system on board the tow vessel. The general principal of functioning of the SBL system features the
emission/receiving of acoustic waves through the transducers at a characteristic frequency and directed
toward the marine bottom to insonify the surface of the marine soil in order to detect obstacles in the water
column. The signal is reflected in intensities that are proportional to the impedance or acoustic absorption of
the bottom cover. This trait makes it possible to detect objects and infer differences in the impedance and
texture of the insonified bottom cover.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SSS SYSTEM

The principal characteristic of SSS systems, including the Imagenex model 872 YellowFin system that BENTOS
operates, is the detection of objects present on the marine soil surface which, in accordance with their
reflective properties (depending primarily on their roughness, nature and relief features) and the acoustic
shadows generated, make it possible to infer their textures and dimensions.

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PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS
The characterization of the types of marine bottom surface covers have a wide range of applications in which
the most requested include: reconnaissance of navigation hazards (rock outcrops and other obstacles),
detection of objects on the surface (submarine cables and pipelines), submarine archeology (exploration of
shipwrecks), support for geotechnical exploration work, studies of cover distribution, sediment transport and
geologic features.

Example of the detection of rocks and

coarse sediment (boulders, gravel) located
close to the coastline by means of the side
scan sonar system.

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PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Identification of a shipwreck by means of SSS

acoustic imaging.

Reconnaissance of waves in sand on the

surface of the marine bottom by means
of the SSS system.

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PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Example of reconnaissance of the

sedimentary nature of the marine
ROCKY BOTTOM by means of the SSS
system in the northern area of the
Chacao Channel, Chile.

SOFT BOTTOM
CONTOUR LINES

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PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Example of the detection by the SSS system of the light cruiser SMS Dresden,
scuttled off shore from the coast of the Juan Fernndez Archipelago, Chile.

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PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Location of the shipwreck of the Corvette Esmeralda by means of the Imagenex

872 YellowFin in Iquique (BENTOS, 2010).

PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Three-dimensional representation of the levels of acoustic activity of the marine

bottom with SonarWiz (Chesapeake), integrating SSS data (Imagenex 872
YellowFin) and bathymetric depths acquired by means of high-resolution
multibeam technology (R2Sonic), Baha de Concepcin, Chile (BENTOS, 2013).

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PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Identification of elements and state of conservation of a shipwreck.

PRINCIPAL APPLICATIONS

Submarine detection by means of side scan sonar images and the sonar shadow
projected on the marine bottom.

EXPERIENCE
Official Multibeam Bathymetry, Marine Geophysics (Sub Bottom Profiler, Side Scan Sonar, Marine Magnetometry
and Piston Corer), Puerto Lirqun, Baha Concepcin, Eighth Administrative Region. OCTOPUS LNG Project.
GEOVENOR EXPLORA SpA. 2013.
Official Single Beam Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar, Baha Chapaco, Third Administrative Region, COMPAA
MINERA DEL PACFICO S.A., (CAP-MINERA). 2012.
Marine Geophysical Exploration, Mejillones, Second Administrative Region, Gas Atacama Project,
GASATACAMA CHILE S.A., 2011.
Marine Geophysical Exploration, First Administrative Region, Quebrada Blanca Project, Phase 2,
COMPAA MINERA TECK QUEBRADA BLANCA S.A., 2011.
Shallow Seismic Survey, Bulk Liquid Terminal Project, Electroandina, Second Administrative Region, Chile.
EMPRESA CONSTRUCTORA BELFI, 2011.
Official Single Beam Bathymetric Survey per the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy
(SHOA), Caldera, Third Administrative Region, COMPAA CONTRACTUAL MINERA CANDELARIA, 2010.
Exploratory and Side Scan Sonar Bathymetry, ASMAR (T) Harbor Basin Dredging Project, Talcahuano, Eighth
Administrative Region, Chile. PRDW ALDUNATE VSQUEZ SERVICIOS LTDA., 2010.
Archeological Exploration by Geophysical Means of the Corvette Esmeralda Sunk in 1879 at Iquique, First
Administrative Region, Andrs Bello University, Chilean Navy and BENTOS, 2010.
Marine Geophysics Single Beam Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar Studies and Directional Wave Measurements,
Puerto Eten, Chiclayo, Peru, LUMINA COPPER, 2009 - 2010.

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EXPERIENCE
Submarine Power Cable Studies; Alignments in the Tenth and Eleventh Administrative Regions, Chile. TRANSELEC
S.A., 2009 - 2010.
Marine Geophysics Studies (SBP), Single Beam Bathymetry, Side Scan Sonar, Directional Wave Measurements;
Puerto Eten, Chiclayo, Peru, LUMINA COPPER, 2009 - 2010.
El Morro Water Desalination Plant Project, Third Administrative Region, HALCROW GROUP LTD. CHILE, AGENCIA
EN CHILE, 2009.
Marine Seismic Survey in Baha Talcahuano, Eighth Administrative Region, GEOEXPLORACIONES S.A., 2009.
Hydrography, Geophysics, Beach Line and Coastal Topography Studies, El Morro Water Desalination Plant Project,
Third Administrative Region, Chile, HALCROW GROUP LTD. CHILE, 2009.
Environmental Impact Declaration, Dredging to Deepen the Port and Material Extraction and Dredging Spoil
Dump Area for Dock 2B of Puerto de Arica, TERMINAL PUERTO DE ARICA S.A., 2009.
Study and Design for the Improvement and Maritime Connectivity of the Puerto Montt Chilo Palena and
Caleta La Arena and Caleta Puelche network, Tenth Administrative Region,
PRDW AV PORT WORKS ADMINISTRATION (DOP), 2008 - 2009.
Marine Geophysics Studies with SHOA Approval, Puerto Yungay and Ro Bravo, CENTRALES
HIDROELCTRICAS DE AYSN S.A., 2008 -2009.
Geophysical Exploration Study for the El Galeno Project, Pacasmayo, Peru, MTB PROFESSIONALS, 2008.
Geophysical Study for the URUCU-MANAUS Gas Pipeline, Amazonas, Brazil, PLANAL SERVICOS DE ENGENHARIA,
2008.
Consulting Services for a Submarine Routing Study Conceptual Definitions for a HVDC Aysn SIC Grid
Transmission System, CENTRALES HIDROELCTRICAS DE AYSN S.A., 2008.
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EXPERIENCE
Geophysical Exploration, Melchorita LNG Project, Peru. JAN DE NUL, 2008.
Geophysical Exploration, Punta Vegueta Area, Peru, TRAMARSA S.A., 2008.
Geophysical Exploration of Isla Riesco, Twelfth Administrative Region, Chile, GOLDER ASSOCIATES SERVICES
S.A., 2007.
Reconnaissance of the Morphology of the Marine Bottom in the Zorritos Area, Tumbes, Peru, by means of the
Use of Side Scan Sonar, Submarine Pipeline Project for Pipelining Gas, BPZ ENERGY INC., SUCURSAL PER,
SEHIDRO, 2006.
Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar Studies at Roca Remolinos and North Pylon Area, Chacao Channel, Tenth
Administrative Region, Chile, EMPRESA CONSTRUCTORA BELFI S.A., 2005.
Maritime, Wave, Current, Tide, Wind and Bathymetry Studies and underwater inspection for the Short Seismicresistant Dock for Post-Panamax Vessels, Berth 4 Project, Puerto de Iquique, First Administrative Region, Chile,
IQUIQUE TERMINAL INTERNACIONAL S.A., 2002.
Maritime, Wave, Current, Wind, Tide and Bathymetry Studies, Side Scan Sonar and Magnetometry.
International Concession for the Bridge over the Chacao Channel. Maritime and Wind Studies, Chacao, Tenth
Administrative Region, Chile. Ministry of Public Works, CONSORCIO INGENIERA CUATRO LTDA. & COWI
ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS (DENMARK), 1999 - 2000.

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