Training and Simulation

At Sonardyne, product delivery is just the start of the story. Making sure that clients get the very best out of their Sonardyne systems once they are installed and commissioned, is a key part of our customer support programme. From standard courses run at our dedicated sea trials and training centre in the UK to bespoke training courses on a client’s vessel designed to duplicate the exact scenario that operators will encounter on a project, Sonardyne’s training programme is expansive and ever evolving.

Reducing Risk

The days of viewing staff training as a “nice to have” rather than as a necessity are long behind us. Today, as water depths increase and projects become ever more complex, demand for more capable and versatile acoustic positioning technology has risen. Sonardyne’s latest 6G (Sixth Generation) positioning product range has all the complexity built into the hardware, not the software, which reduces the variables that a user has to configure. But in an industry where the cost of downtime is so high, it is vital that those overseeing acoustic operations are both confident and capable in their ability to understand the equipment installed in the vessel, spot potential issues before they arise, and should a problem be encountered, have the confidence to quickly and effectively resolve it.

Hands-On

Our programme of training courses offers operators the chance to gain hands-on experience with equipment. Courses can take place anywhere in the world, however, Sonardyne has a dedicated training centre based in Plymouth, south-west England. The length of courses range in time, from between one and a half days, through to four days depending on the topic to be covered, and the existing level of knowledge and experience of those attending.

First Principles

All Plymouth-based courses start with the basics of underwater acoustics. This ensures that delegates are confident about the theories behind the systems that they will soon be operating.

Environmental conditions offshore can change with little or no warning, so a thorough understanding of first principles enables operators to respond to changing conditions and resolve any problems that might arise quickly and effectively. Following the completion of the theoretical elements of the course, attendees then get onto the water for hands-on training with real equipment onboard the Company’s training and trials vessels.

Sonardyne has transponders permanently deployed in the estuary of the River Tamar, itself a very challenging operating environment for acoustics. Participants have the opportunity to gain experience of operating a USBL or LBL system in these difficult conditions, and are challenged by the instructors to overcome any problems they encounter. The courses are designed to test attendees’ understanding of the underlying measurement processes and provide invaluable preparation of personnel for the use of these systems in the workplace.

Plymouth courses are small, usually no more than six. The very high instructor-to-pupil ratio ensures that all attendees get the opportunity to individually practice configuring and operating systems. An exam at the end of each course provides employers with a valuable assessment of the new skills their staff have acquired.

International Courses

Although Plymouth is the main centre of Sonardyne’s training programme, courses are regularly held elsewhere. This might be at one of Sonardyne’s regional centres in Aberdeen, Houston, Singapore and Brazil, or at a client’s offices or onboard their own vessel.

Wherever in the world the training takes place, a dedicated internet link to the Sonardyne training vessels and equipment deployed in Plymouth still offers trainees the opportunity to control real in-water hardware from desks thousands of miles away. We use Voice Over IP and webcam technology to allow course attendees to both hear the acoustics live from Plymouth and see the facilities and area within which they are operating. Tide tables are also consulted to allow an understanding of how tidal the area is.

Project Simulation

When in-water training is not necessary, Sonardyne’s highly sophisticated software simulator packages can be used. This offers a number of benefits. Firstly it requires nothing more than a PC to operate and secondly it allows the creation of highly realistic scenarios, which operators may potentially face. This is particularly helpful with short ‘refresher’ courses designed to prepare staff for an imminent survey construction project.

In these cases, the exact hardware that they will be using and coordinates of where they will be operating are input into the simulator package. The course allows them to familiarise themselves with the project set-up and configuration prior to mobilisation. Delegates are given the opportunity to face the very challenges that they may meet offshore but with expert tuition on hand to talk them through any potential pitfalls and risks associated with their decisions. This allows operators to really consider their actions in a safe and risk free environment before undertaking the task in the field.

Bespoke Courses

Despite a broad range of courses available globally, there is an increasing demand year on year for bespoke courses. Held at Plymouth or anywhere in the world convenient to the client, these courses have a training syllabus designed specifically to fulfil an individual client’s needs and focus exclusively on the products that the individual client owns and the way in which they deploy that particular product.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who uses or is expected to use Sonardyne’s acoustic hardware products will benefit from being properly trained. Depending on the course being held, attendees might include:

- DPOs
- BCOs
- Electrical Technicians
- Hydrographic Surveyors
- Survey Technicians
- Project Managers
- Rig Managers
- Drilling Superintendents
- ROV Crew
- Security personnel

Your Next Step

New courses are being added to our training programme all of the time, reflecting Sonardyne’s growing product range and demand for thorough, hands-on training. Details of our standard courses, including Ranger 2 USBL, Marksman LUSBL and Fusion 6G, are available on the Sonardyne website. Please visit www.sonardyne.com/support and follow the link to Training Courses. For course availability, pricing or to make a booking, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact your local Sonardyne office. Whatever your requirement and your hardware, training with us ensures that the investment you made in Sonardyne’s low risk technology, is fully realised next time you are offshore.

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