Marine Sea Scan User manual

Sea Scan® Survey Software
Manual
Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
White Marsh, VA
V3.0.0
© 2013 Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.

This product was designed and developed by a team of engineers at Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
© 2013 Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd., All Rights Reserved.
Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
5508 George Washington Memorial Highway
P.O. Box 730, White Marsh, VA 23183-0730
[phone]
[phone]
Technical Support
Copyright
For technical support call [phone] or visit our web site at http://www.marinesonic.com.
This manual and the hardware/software described in it are copyrighted with all rights reserved. Under
the copyright laws, neither this manual nor the hardware/software may be copied, in whole or in part,
without the written consent of Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd., except in the normal use of the software
or to make backup copies. This exception does not allow copies to be made for others.
Trademarks
Sea Scan® is a registered trademark of Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
Other product or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

IContents
I
© 2013 Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction 1
................................................................................................................................... 21 Minimium System Requirments
................................................................................................................................... 22 Contact Information
................................................................................................................................... 23 Updating Procedures
Section 2 Introduction to Side Scan SONAR 3
................................................................................................................................... 31 General SONAR Overview
................................................................................................................................... 32 How Side Scan SONAR Works
.......................................................................................................................................................... 5How to Read SONAR Data
......................................................................................................................................................... 5SONAR Beam
......................................................................................................................................................... 6Surface and Bottom Returns
......................................................................................................................................................... 6Prop Wash
......................................................................................................................................................... 6Shadows
Section 3 Sea Scan Survey 8
................................................................................................................................... 81 Software Overview
................................................................................................................................... 82 Buttons and Menu
.......................................................................................................................................................... 8Waterfall Toolbar
.......................................................................................................................................................... 9StatusBar
.......................................................................................................................................................... 10Main Menu
......................................................................................................................................................... 10File Menu
......................................................................................................................................................... 10View Menu
......................................................................................................................................................... 10Tools Menu
......................................................................................................................................................... 11Help Menu
.......................................................................................................................................................... 12Windows
......................................................................................................................................................... 12Navigation Plotter
......................................................................................................................................... 12Using the Plotter
................................................................................................................................... 14Plotter Toolbar
......................................................................................................................................................... 14SONAR Control
......................................................................................................................................................... 16Status
......................................................................................................................................................... 16Signal Statistics
......................................................................................................................................................... 17A-Mode
......................................................................................................................................................... 17Image Adjustment
......................................................................................................................................... 17Using the Image Adjustment Window
......................................................................................................................................................... 17Settings ......................................................................................................................................... 18Waterfall ................................................................................................................................... 18Zoom Settings
................................................................................................................................... 18Image Adjustment Settings
................................................................................................................................... 18Features
......................................................................................................................................... 19Sonar ................................................................................................................................... 19Resolution ................................................................................................................................... 20Interface
......................................................................................................................................... 20Navigation and Fathometer
................................................................................................................................... 20NMEA Data Input

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................................................................................................................................... 20Using the NMEA Data Input Window
................................................................................................................................... 22Plotter ................................................................................................................................... 22Configuring the Electronic Charts
................................................................................................................................... 27Mag Input
......................................................................................................................................... 28Units ......................................................................................................................................... 28Survey Settings
......................................................................................................................................... 28Marker Labels
......................................................................................................................................... 29Application
......................................................................................................................................................... 29Layback
......................................................................................................................................................... 30Range & Bearing
......................................................................................................................................... 30Understanding the Range & Bearing Tool
......................................................................................................................................................... 32Event ......................................................................................................................................... 32Layback ................................................................................................................................... 32Using the Layback Events Window
......................................................................................................................................... 33Marker ................................................................................................................................... 33Using the Marker Events Window
Section 4 Revision History 33
Section 5 Glossary 34

Introduction 1
© 2013 Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
1 Introduction
Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd. is a well-established and highly-respected resource for individuals
and organizations that perform search and recoveries; bottom surveys; ship hull inspections; port
and homeland security; bridge, pier, pipeline, and harbor inspections; vertical structure imaging;
and environmental surveys and research. Our sophisticated computer-based side-scan SONAR
systems effectively provide real-time, detailed, and accurate underwater imaging.
Integral to our success is Sea Scan®Survey, our premier software package providing exciting
features that make collection and review of SONAR data easy and highly efficient. The software
features an integrated waterfall display designed to maximize the effective computer screen
viewing area. The waterfall display has a complete tool set that allows range, length, height, and
area measurements, all of which can be executed in real time or during post-processing
operations.
In addition to measurement tools, Sea Scan®Survey software provides an adjustable magnification
zoom tool and a target marking tool. Added features include an advanced target marking system
for instant access to any real-time marking point during either the on-water or post-processing
operation. Other windows are available during data collection and post processing that allow
additional data perspectives. These include an A-Mode view of the SONAR data, a data status
window that shows range delay, ping rate, Speed over Ground (SOG), Course over Ground (COG),
heading, Latitude/Longitude (L/L), and depth at a glance. The software includes a full feature
navigation plotter to show swath coverage, marked targets, and vector chart maps. Sea Scan®
Survey also has an advanced graphical user interface that provides a variety of ways to maximum
usage of the computer display.
TIP:Underlined words are defined in the Glossary.

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1.1 Minimium SystemRequirments
Sea Scan Survey requires the following capabilities.
Operating System
Windows XP, Vista, 7, or 8
Hard drive space
100 MB + data storage
Available RAM
1 GB minimum;
2 GB recommended
Processor Speed
1.8 GHz or better
Other Features
Ethernet & USB 2.0 port
Screen Resolution
1024 x 768 minimum or higher
1.2 Contact Information
The Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd. Sea Scan®hardware and software are thoroughly checked
before shipping. Any alteration of our products after shipment automatically voids the
warranty. In case of question regarding these issues, contact Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd. at the
following address:
Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
P.O. Box 730
5508 George Washington Memorial Highway
White Marsh, VA 23183-0730
For technical support, call [phone] or visit our website at http://
www.marinesonic.us.
International callers, please use [phone].
Customer Support at Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd. also welcomes your questions, comments, and
corrections about this manual. In any correspondence, we would appreciate the publication
number, equipment designations, document page or figure number, and your comments. Please
send your communication to the above address.
1.3 Updating Procedures
Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd. engineers continually review and improve upon the company’s
hardware, firmware, and software procedures and capabilities. Revisions and updates may be
frequent and can significantly streamline operation. Contact Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
Customer Service to inquire about updates, patches, and notices or visit the Marine Sonic
Technology, Ltd. website at www.marinesonic.us.

Introduction to Side Scan SONAR 3
© 2013 Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.
2 Introduction to Side Scan SONAR
2.1 General SONAR Overview
SONAR is a coined word derived from the phrase, SOund Navigation And Ranging. SONAR
generally refers to a system that uses acoustical (sound) energy transmitted through water. At the
heart of that system is the transducer, the device that converts electrical energy to sound and vice
versa and is responsible for generating the sound pulse. A receiving transducer is used to receive
the echo that “bounces” off objects encountered along its path
The transducer sends out a sound
pulse
The pulse bounces off the object
Thus, SONAR is a system that determines the position of unseen underwater objects by
transmitting sound waves and measuring the time it takes for their echo to return after hitting the
object.
2.2 How Side Scan SONAR Works
Because of their flexibility, side-scan systems can be used in many applications , some of which
involve highly sophisticated remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles
(AUVs). But the most common side-scan systems are towed behind a surface vessel and comprise
three elements: the control unit containing the software, the towfish with transducers mounted
on each side, and the cable that connects the towfish to the surface vessel that follows a track or
course through the water. The images they create can be used for many applications such as
geologic studies, locating sunken objects, ensuring that the waterway is clear and safe for shipping,
and many more.
The transducer assembly is towed on a steady course and at a constant depth through the water.
As it is towed, the assembly emits sound pulses at precise and regulated intervals.

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The system emits precise sound pulses
The system receives the returning echoes from the water column and seafloor shortly after
emitting a pulse.
The system picks up the returning echoes
Sea Scan Survey®listens for a short amount of time, which is determined by the range; then it
pings again, thus beginning a new cycle. The returning echoes from one pulse are displayed on
the SONAR window or waterfall as one single line, with dark and light portions of that line
representing strong or weak echoes relative to time. The stronger the SONAR’s returning signal,
the brighter the mark that appears on the SONAR window. The resulting accumulated lines then
form a coherent picture of the seafloor.
The two transducers provide information unique to their particular side of the towfish.
The transducers return information about their side of the
towfish
In between the transducer beams is the boat’s track immediately below the towfish. That center
display or water column loosely relates to the boat’s track. It communicates details about objects
encountered before the first bottom return and can include things such as surface returns, debris,
fish, and objects protruding from the sea floor.

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The operator can view wide tracts of the seafloor because the transducers ping along the swath
width and the software records the strength of the echoes from the sea bottom. The towfish is
towed just above the seafloor bottom. The transducers continuously emit narrowly focused beams
of sound perpendicular to the path of motion. The sound pulses pass through the water but are
reflected from the seafloor and objects, such as wreck sites that sit on the seafloor. The computer
records the echo signal strengths as they return and draws the entire SONAR record line on the
screen. Thus, an image is built, line by line, as the SONAR record line from each ping returns and
is drawn on the screen.
The quality of the SONAR data will depend on operator and the data-gathering process, which
involves vessel course, tow speed, towfish altitude above the bottom, sea conditions, and range
settings. For example, a higher range setting yields a larger data sample with more of the seafloor
displayed; but the data will not have as high a resolution.
2.2.1 How to Read SONAR Data
2.2.1.1 SONAR Beam
Vertical Beam Angle
How wide the beam angle is; it is measured from the sea bottom to the top of the sound that was
projected from the transducer.
The vertical beam angle
Horizontal Beam Width
The width of the sound wave determines the expanse of the area covered horizontally, and the
speed of the boat determines the ping spacing. The slower the vessel moves, the more
overlapping coverage that will be obtained. This approach yields more data for a higher quality
image.

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The horizontal beam width
2.2.1.2 Surface and Bottom Returns
Two distinct returns should be noted.
Surface and bottom returns show
up in the waterfall
First Bottom Return: This is the initial data from the point where
the sound meets the seabed.
First Surface Return: This is the first data from the point where the
meets the water's surface. As in the picture, this is usually a wavy,
sparse, non-solid return, which appears mainly in shallow scanning
situations. In deeper water, the sound beam will not reach the
surface.
2.2.1.3 Prop Wash
Prop Wash shows in the waterfall when the churning waves and air bubbles produced by the ship's
propellers are picked up in the transducer's beam.
The effects of prop wash
This problem occurs mainly when the towfish is in
shallow water. In deeper water, the transducer's
beam should be out of the propeller's wash, and
the picture quality will improve. A shallow-water
solution to this problem is to tow the fish ahead of
the propeller from either the front or sides of the
ship.
2.2.1.4 Shadows
Shadows are produced when the sound waves transmitted from the SONAR don't bounce off
anything, so there's no signal to return to the transducer.

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A rock viewed from directly above
Depth sounders bounce their signals straight down, so the rock in
this image is viewed only from the top down.
However, just as the sun reveals shadows, SONAR shadows are
produced by the absence of sound.
When viewed from an angle, the rocks produce shadows
In the image to the left, the shadow area
has nothing there to return a sound. Thus
a shadow is created. Just as with a sun-
created shadow, the height of an object
determines the length of the shadow.
A SONAR shadow
This shadow example is an image of a bridge pylon. In
this image you can see the large base as a rounded
corner rectangle. In the center is the pillar. The shadow
shows that the base of the pylon's height can be
measured. The center pillar goes up out of the water,
thus the shadow extends to the end of the SONAR's
range.

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3 Sea Scan Survey
3.1 Software Overview
The Sea Scan® work area
1. Menu Bar: Contains normal Windows-based menus.
2. Left, Top, Bottom, and Right Docking Areas: Sea Scan®Survey Windows can dock here.
3. Tool Definitions: Displays what tool is selected and important information regarding it, if
needed.
4. Caption Bar: Displays the name of the current Survey and its mode.
5. Waterfall Toolbar: Used to control the waterfall's SONAR data.
6. Waterfall: The workspace where the SONAR data is displayed.
7. Status Bar: Displays the current status of the Survey; this data is the most important.
3.2 Buttons and Menu
3.2.1 Waterfall Toolbar
The Waterfall toolbar
1. Elapsed Time Indicator: The running clock at the top of the waterfall displays the amount
of elapsed time from the start of the file to the current time. A green background indicates
that the data is current; a red background indicates the opposite. The background will be
white when reviewing data.
2. Rewind Button: This button decreases the waterfall view speed. The more you click this

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button, the faster the display will run backward. <Page Down> is hot-keyed to this
button.
3. Stop Button: This button halts the waterfall. <End> is hot-keyed to this button.
4. Fast-Forward Button: This button increases the waterfall view speed. The more you click
this button, the faster the display will run forward. <Page Up> is hot-keyed to this button.
5. Home Button: This button immediately moves the waterfall to the most current data.
6. Jump-To Button: This button opens the Jump-To Window to select a time to "Jump To".
7. Length Tool: This button pauses the waterfall, allowing the user to measure the length
between two points. First click to start the measurement, and then click at the end. The
length will be displayed in the Measurement Readout on the Waterfall Toolbar.
8. Area Tool: This button pauses the waterfall, allowing the user to measure the area
between a series of points. First click to start and then click around the object or area. Click
the first point to close the area's polygon and calculate the area; double clicking will also
create a closing line between the last point and the first point.
9. Height Tool: This button pauses the waterfall, allowing the user to measure the height of
shadows off an object. First click the first bottom return, then click the end of the object
that caused the shadow, then click the end of the shadow. The measurement will be
calculated and shown in the Measurement Readout.
10. Marker Tool: This tool allows the user to double click on the waterfall to create Marker
Events.
11. Palette Control: This tool displays the current palette color; the color can be changed in
the Image Adjustments Window.
12. Zoom Tool: Select this tool to turn the mouse into a magnifying glass to zoom in on
certain objects of the waterfall. The zoom strength can be changed by right clicking the
waterfall, selecting Zoom Size, and selecting the power you want.
13. Measurement Readout: This number shows the last measurement taken with the Length,
Height, and Area tools.
14. Left Transducer Channel: Select this to show only data from the left transducer on the
waterfall.
15. Both Transducer Channels: Select this to show data from both transducers on the
waterfall.
16. Right Transducer Channel: Select this to show only data from the right transducer on the
waterfall.
TIP: The <ESC> button on your keyboard can be used as a hot-key to deactivate any
selected tool.
3.2.2 Status Bar
The Status bar
1. Current File Name: This area displays the name of the current SDS file.
2. Speed Over Ground: This area displays the current Speed Over Ground (SOG).
3. Range & Frequency: This area displays the current Range.

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4. GPS Status: This area displays the Current GPS data.
5. Waterfall Scroll Speed: This area displays the current waterfall scroll speed.
6. Total Survey Time: This area displays the total time of the Survey.
7. Sonar Connection Status: This area displays whether the SONAR is connected and
communicating with the TCU.
3.2.3 Main Menu
3.2.3.1 File Menu
The File menu
New: Lets the user create a new survey by opening the <Begin
a New Survey> wizard.
Open: Opens an existing survey for review.
Continue Survey: Opens a previous survey and allows the user
to append new data to it.
Close: Closes the current open survey.
Middle Section: Lists recent surveys worked on and, if
selected, will open them for review.
Exit: Closes the Sea Scan®Survey program.
3.2.3.2 View Menu
The View menu
The View Menu lets the user close or open some of the Bars and Windows
of the Sea Scan®Survey program.
A check mark inside a gold box will appear next to a Bar or Window that is
currently open. Ones with no checks are not open.
3.2.3.3 Tools Menu
Settings: Opens the Settings Window, allowing for changes
to be made to the Sea Scan®Survey settings. (See also the
section dedicated to the Settings Window.)
Waterfall Capture: Takes a snapshot of the current waterfall
and opens a save window allowing for the file to be named.
Ping Capture: Saves the ping data as a CSV file. Opens a
save window allowing for the file to be named.
Start a New File: Will start a new SDS file for the Survey. It
will automatically name the file in the current convention.
Chart Management: Opens the Chart Management window.
Survey Report: Creates a Survey Report as an HTML file that can be used to print
out all the important information of the current survey. This supports the inclusion of

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your company's logo. (See also the section dedicated to the Survey Report.)
Survey to XTF: Allows for conversion of the Survey into an XTF format.
Make Clip Here: Allows the user to save a small SDS clip of data. Opens a save
window allowing for the file to be named.
TIP: The data inside the parenthesis represents a button that can be used as a hot-key
instead of the Tool Menu.
3.2.3.4 Help Menu
Sea Scan Survey Help Menu
Help: Opens the Sea Scan®ARC Explorer Operations Manual as a
Help File for the user.
About Sea Scan Survey...: Opens a window that displays Sea Scan®Survey information as
well as company information about Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.

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3.2.4 Windows
3.2.4.1 Navigation Plotter
The Navigation Plotter
The Navigation Plotter Window uses GPS data to display the current
location of the surface vessel. The boat is represented by an icon that is
pointed in the direction of the course or heading (if the heading is
available and if the boat icon option has been selected in the Plotter
Settings window).
3.2.4.1.1 Using the Plotter
The swath coverage
during an operation
The SONAR swath is displayed to show the estimated coverage. The
coverage for the left (port) channel is shown in red, and the swash coverage
for the right (starboard) channel is shown in green. The boat's path is
displayed with a black line. The Plotter will not draw a swath when the
SONAR is off or if that option has been deselected. Some data is necessary
for the Plotter to show a track; that data may be simply a rub check or by
having the SONAR on for a second.
No Layback
Layback set
If a Layback Event has been created, the Plotter will
also show a towfish and the swath data will no
longer show from the back of the boat, but rather
from the back of the towfish icon. The position of
the towfish icon relative to the boat will depend on
the current entered data.

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TIP: The color of the marker bull's eye correlates with the priority of the marker (high,
medium, etc.). Waypoints will always have a green bull's eye.
Waypoints and Marker Events appear as dots on the Plotter window. When selected, they will be
surrounded by a bulls-eye.
Plotter points unselected (left) and selected (right)
When a Waypoint or Marker is selected on the Plotter, a small tool tip will pop up giving its details.
The Marker Events Window will contain a preview image, waypoints will not.
A waypoint and its details
on the Navigation Plotter

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3.2.4.1.1.1 Plotter Toolbar
The Plotter has its own toolbar. This toolbar is used to manipulate the Plotter window, gather
data, and set waypoints.
The Navigation Plotter toolbar
1. Length Tool: Click once to set the start point, click a second time to set the end point. A
line will be drawn between them and the distance will show at number 9 above, which is
the Measured Distance area.
2. Waypoint: Click to set a waypoint on the Plotter. Click to select the tool, double click to
set a waypoint.
3. Map-Bearing Line: Click to turn on/off the map-bearing lines of the boat.
The projected forward swath when the Map-Bearing Line is
engaged
4. Auto Center: Select or deselect this to set the map to center or not center on the boat.
5. Zoom In: Click to zoom the Plotter in 5%.
6. Zoom Out: Click to zoom the Potter out 5%.
7. Zoom to Selection: Click to draw a box around a particular area of interest and zoom in on
it. Click to set the center of the Zoom Box, then drag to change the size of the zoom to
encompass the area of interest. Click the button again to deactivate this tool.
8. Clear Data: Click to clear all the navigation data in the display and start displaying new
data.
9. Measured Distance: This area displays the measured distance of the Length Tool.
3.2.4.2 SONAR Control
The Sonar Control Window contains five groups of options. The explanations below detail the
options and their uses.

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The SONAR Control Window
Sonar Power
On Button: Turns the Sonar Power on; the SONAR will now collect
data.
Off Button: Turns the Sonar Power off and stops data collection.
Transducers
Select the frequency here to use on your SONAR. If no options
appear here, please consult the Troubleshooting section of this
guide. If you have a single-frequency transducer, only one option
will show.
The Lock check box will set both frequencies to the same frequency.
If one is changed, both are changed. It should be left checked by
most users.
Range
Change the range of the SONAR here. Click the arrows to the left or
right or select the drop-down arrow from inside the box to select a
frequency of your choice.
Range Delay
This setting removes the water column. Range delay removes the
acoustic returns for the amount of feet desired.
CAUTION: If using this option to remove the water column, the towfish no longer shows
in the waterfall; without that feedback to the boat operator, the towfish may hit bottom.
Speed Over Ground
The Speed-Over-Ground group of selections lets you set the SOG to
either manual or automatic. The speed box will change to yellow and
then red as the speed becomes greater than what is recommended for
the frequency and range. Most users should select Automatic.

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3.2.4.3 Status
The Status Window shows important status information of the program. It is grouped into seven
unique sections.
The Status Window
Survey
Shows the current time and date.
Shows the Elapsed Time of the Survey.
Shows the current SDS file being read or recorded to.
Sonar
Shows the current Range setting.
Shows the current Range Delay setting.
Shows the frequency of the left transducer.
Shows the frequency of the right transducer.
Navigation
Shows the current Latitude.
Shows the current Longitude.
Shows the current Speed Over Ground (S0G).
Shows the current Course Over Ground (COG).
Shows the current heading.
Fathometer
Shows the towfish's current Altitude in the water.
Shows the towfish's current Depth in the water.
Orientation
Shows the SONAR's orientation.
Shows the SONAR.
Layback
Shows the X-Axis of the SONAR.
Shows the Y-Axis of the SONAR.
Shows the amount of Cable that is out.
Magnetometer
Shows the current Reading of the magnetometer.
3.2.4.4 Signal Statistics
The Signal
Statistics Window
The Signal Statistics Window provides the Average, Minimum, and Maximum
strengths of the ping for the Left and Right channels that the boat icon on the
waterfall is pointing to.
Check the <Process Data> check box and the software will process the data and
find the minimum ping strength as well.