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.

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

Sonardyne Training Academies

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 academy 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.

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.

Please click on the tabs above to find more about the courses being held at each Sonardyne Training Academy

Project Simulation and Bespoke Courses

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.

Booking and Confirmation

To reserve a place on a course, please email the Sonardyne training centre you would like to attend, stating the date required, course title and the number of places required. Subject to availability, a provisional course booking will be held for 10 days, during which time Sonardyne must receive a purchase order. The Training Course Administrator for that location will confirm the enrolment for the course by email and will forward joining instructions. Sponsoring organisations should indicate at the time of booking if the optional exam is required.

Download Brochure

Click here to download a PDF copy of Sonardyne's Training and Simulation brochure

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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.

Plymouth Training Academy Course Dates for 2013

Other dates are available for on demand and bespoke 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.


June 25th – 27th Ranger 2

July 23rd – 25th Ranger 2

August 20th – 22nd Marksman LUSBL

August 27th – 30th Fusion 6G LBL

September 17th – 19th Dimona LUSBL

October 1st – 4th Fusion 6G LBL

October 15th – 17th Ranger 2

October 29th – 1st November Fusion 6G LBL

November 12th – 14th Marksman LUSBL

November 26th – 29th Fusion 6G LBL

December 10th – 12th Ranger

Houston Training Academy

Training available at our Houston location currently includes: Wideband L/USBL operator courses covering both DP and Survey applications. Options include Dimona L/USBL Version 6, Marksman L/USBL and Riser Angle Monitoring Systems (MRAMS).

Training is also available on Sonardyne Ranger USBL system, and Ranger MRAMS, which includes demonstrations and capabilities of Wideband architecture and DPTi transponders.

Acoustic Wideband BOP has now been added as a one day course directed towards Subsea Engineers teaching proper use and maintenance of the system. Controller system training can be incorporated into an L/USBL class for DPO’s if required. 

Training is also available on our renowned Fusion LBL system by our Survey Support Group. This is done with the Compatt array and Navigation computers at our Plymouth UK facility being controlled remotely from our Houston training room.

Additionally, courses in repair to board level and maintenance of Sonardyne equipment can be arranged covering Fusion LBL, ROVNAV, Compatts, OBC and SIPS systems.

Training Dates for 2013 (Houston Only)

MAY 15 – 16 Marksman L/USBL & MRAMS

MAY 23 Acoustic BOP

JUN 19 – 20 Dimona L/USBL & MRAMS

JUNE 25 – 28 Fusion LBL (UK Survey Group)

JUL 17 – 18 Marksman L/USBL & MRAMS

JUL 19 – 19 DP_INS (Add $650 to course above)

AUG 14 – 15 Marksman L/USBL & MRAMS

AUG 22 - Acoustic BOP

SEP 10 – 13 Fusion LBL (UK Survey Group)

SEP 18 – 19 Dimona L/USBL & MRAMS

OCT 16 – 17 Marksman L/USBL & MRAMS

OCT 18 – 18 DP_INS (Add $650 to course above)

NOV 13 – 14 Marksman L/USBL & MRAMS

NOV 21 Acoustic BOP

DEC 10 – 13 Fusion LBL (UK Survey Group)

DEC 18 – 19 Dimona L/USBL & MRAMS

Please Note:

- Fusion LBL is a 3 ½ day course
- Classes will start at 8.30am - 4pm each day.
- A maximum of eight places are available on each course allocated on a first come first served basis.
-Courses may be cancelled if insufficient numbers are attending.
- Additional courses may be arranged or the existing dates changed to accommodate demand.
- The cost of all training courses for 2013 is US$700 per day per person. This includes course instruction and materials, lunch, and refreshments.
- Accommodation can be arranged but Sonardyne prefer that attendees settle their own accounts.