Why choose it?

Powerful onboard analytics – you can make decisions based on real behaviour, not assumption 

Observer contains SmartCore, our advanced, modular central processing unit. It’s the system’s brain, delivering low power and high performance that supports deployments of up to 10 years, storing raw and analysed at source. 

Apply your own algorithms or use histograms to support fatigue and damage estimation, putting analysis in your control and powering your digital twin. An intuitive, secure, web-based interface streamlines flexible configuration, driving faster decision making and lower operational costs. 

Low and high frequency measurements in one device – no need for different systems 

In-built sensors capture high-frequency motion for vortex induced vibration (VIV), flow-induced vibration (FIV) and structural behaviour monitoring. This combination simplifies and expands your ability to truly understand the behaviour of your infrastructure. 

Observer can operate as a Long BaseLine (LBL) node for highly precise low-frequency motion monitoring such as pipeline creep and movement. It also supports Ultra-Short BaseLine (USBL) positioning, for measuring assets movements in the water column, like riser and umbilical movement. Also allowing data retrieval from a vessel or underwater vehicle. 

Always informed. Always in control – flexible data retrieval

Easily setup, check your configuration and QC your sensor data pre-deployment, and also adjust it acoustically post-deployment, using our intuitive web user interface.  

Set and modify data collection and offloading schedules at any time.  

Our trusted acoustic telemetry provides your seafloor-to-surface communications, in all water depths, even in challenging acoustic environments.  

Compatibility with our 6G ecosystem enables data transfer at up to 9,000 bps to topside transceivers and modems, including our HPT 5000, Modem 6+ and Dunker 6.  

An Ethernet communication link allows larger quantities of data to be harvested directly from subsea control systems or subsea vehicles. 

Find out what's possible

As with all SPRINT-Nav products, SPRINT-Nav U fuses AHRS, DVL, INS and depth data. All of this is now available in a single, ultra-compact and lightweight instrument giving you fast, precise and robust navigation, guidance and control information.

SPRINT-Nav U surpasses expectations in every way. With fast alignment, one unit, one connector, one cable and all the true-north seeking capabilities found across the SPRINT-Nav Family.

Game changing new capabilities for small robotic operations

Measuring just 126 mm in height and 114 (118 at DVL) mm in diameter and weighing a mere 1,000 grams in water, SPRINT-Nav U packs full SPRINT-Nav capability into the space traditionally filled by just a DVL on small subsea robotic platforms. With its compact fibre optic gyro (FOG) Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) SPRINT-Nav U is a game changer for small vehicle operations.

It’s powered by the same trusted hybrid acoustic-inertial navigation algorithm you’ll find across the whole SPRINT-Nav family. This combines the strengths of all its sensors to provide robust, precise and accurate outputs. SPRINT-Nav U continues to work even in ferrous environments where Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based navigation, with its magnetic heading, struggles. This means your operations are provided with a continuous stream of positions, orientation, velocities, depth and altitude even when operating in and around infrastructure.

SPRINT-Nav U at a glance

• 126 mm tall by 114 mm in diameter; the industry’s smallest all-in-one hybrid acoustic-inertial subsea navigator
• Compact hybrid DVL-INS synergies dramatically improve both robustness and performance compared with standalone instruments.
• Fly higher – 500 kHz DVL maintains bottom lock at up to 100 m altitude
• Four instruments in one small package; AHRS, DVL, INS and pressure sensor – huge capability at optimised cost, size, weight and power (CSWaP)
• Easy to integrate, simple to operate, web UI for configuration

Combined excellence

Overview

Equinox is a true example of how Covelya Group technologies combine to provide ground-breaking products. Designed around the Solstice MAS from Wavefront Systems, it is commercialised by Sonardyne and features our state-of-the-art SPRINT INS and Mini-Ranger 2 USBL for state-of-the-art navigation and positioning.

The Sonardyne and Wavefront Systems payloads are all mounted on EIVA’s renowned ScanFish 3D, a steerable remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV). EIVA’s NaviSuite Kuda user interface is used to plan, autopilot and display the gathered data in real-time.

Producing stunningly accurate pictures, it’s ideal for vessels of opportunity or unmanned surface vessels delivering hydrographic, archaeological, search, salvage, unexploded ordnance, and mine countermeasure missions.

At a glance

• Mission ready; designed to support search, classify and map (SCM) and hydrographic operations
• Survey more ground in a single pass; effective area coverage rate (ACR) of up to 1.6 km2/hr
• Along track resolution of 0.15°; best in class delivering maximum detection rates
• Co-located side-scan image and bathy improves your situational awareness
• Real-time motion compensation and positioning accuracies better than 1 m DRMS
• Automatically follows terrain and avoids obstacles
• Suitable for site survey and characterisation and high tempo MCM missions

Why Equinox is perfect for your operations

The ScanFish 3D is a trusted ROTV and, thanks to its inherent stability, the ideal platform to operate Solstice from. At a total weight of 220 kg in air, Equinox can be easily mobilised.

Unlike towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) systems, Equinox offers you an affordable, lower-logistics alternative still capable of providing high area coverage rates. By combining leading navigation and positioning from Mini-Ranger 2 USBL and SPRINT INS, imaging data is geo-referenced with an accuracy that’s unrivalled for these types of applications at this price.

Planning a mission is easy. Using NaviSuite Kuda software, you can define your sailing route and run-lines by simply selecting the area you would like to cover. During the mission, NaviSuite Kuda continuously updates the vessel and ScanFish 3D position in real-time.

Equinox also provides real-time geo-rectified waterfall, mosaics and DTM maps and the user interface tools that enable an operator to mark and process objects, including automatic target recognition using AI.

That’s not all; ScanFish 3D can carry heavier payloads and there is room in the fibre cable to include additional payload sensors such as gap fillers. Equinox users can count on improved probability of detection and decreased probability of false alarms, improving the efficiency of your mine countermeasures, archaeological, search and salvage missions.

Navigating the unknown

Key benefits:

• Real-time 3D terrain mapping of seabed and water column
• Extended detection range up to 1.5 km with a 120-degree field of view
• Automated collision hazard warnings
• Compatibility with autonomous vessel systems
• Depth mapping capabilities to 100 metres
• Two operational modes: 3D mode and Sonar mode

Engineered for versatility, Vigilant offers unrivalled underwater situational awareness with a cutting-edge long-range detection system. This compact, powerful system provides unprecedented underwater detection and mapping capabilities for energy, defence, scientific, and autonomous marine operations. Designed by Wavefront Systems and commercialised by Sonardyne, Vigilant forward-looking sonar revolutionises maritime navigation and safety across multiple sectors. Its compact 31 cm-wide design weighing just 14 kg allows for easy installation on vessels ranging from exploration cruises and private yachts to naval ships and research vessels. The system can be seamlessly retrofitted to existing vessels or integrated into new builds.

How it works

The system consists of a sophisticated sonar projector and receiver array mounted at the vessel’s bow, complemented by advanced bridge software. Its proprietary Altitude Confidence Filter (ACF) generates precise, colour-coded depth imagery, enabling crews to navigate challenging environments with confidence.

Seaborne collision avoidance is also a vital consideration for autonomous ships and an ever-increasing number of unmanned surface and underwater vessels in the offshore energy, ocean science and naval market sectors. Vigilant can be integrated into these autonomous platforms to provide essential information to autopilots and command and control systems, to aid safe navigation and manoeuvres around hazardous obstacles.

Vigilant has two principal operating modes, 3D mode and Sonar mode. 3D mode produces stunning 3D bathymetry and colour coded depth imagery using our proprietary Altitude Confidence Filter (ACF), out to 600 m and down to 100 m. Sonar mode processes the intensity of the acoustic data to extract long-range positional data out to 1.5 km and over a 120 degree field of view. In this mode, the sonar returns are used to generate alerts to the operator (or a third-party system) to the presence of a navigationally relevant obstacle.

For naval and security applications, Vigilant can be combined with Sentinel intruder detection systems, providing comprehensive underwater threat protection. Whether exploring secluded bays, navigating busy shipping lanes, or venturing into polar regions, Vigilant delivers unparalleled maritime intelligence and safety.

Comprehensive engineering support is available to ensure seamless installation and commissioning, making Vigilant your essential tool for modern marine operations.

Over 2km coverage from one unit

Key benefits

• Up to 2,400 m diameter protection zone using a single sonar head
• Detects divers up to 900 m away and UUVs up to 1,200 m away
• Up 10 targets tracked and classified simultaneously
• Helps protect ports, harbours, naval bases, private yachts, residences, power stations, offshore platforms
• Rapidly deployed for instant protection
• Low false alarm rate
• In service globally since 2007
• One of the smallest IDS solutions on the market; take it and deploy it anywhere
• Commercial-off-the-shelf technology that integrates seamlessly with your existing security systems
• No specialist sonar experience needed; software automates most of the heavy lifting
• Can be remotely monitored from anywhere in the world

Discover Sentinel, the cutting-edge maritime security system designed to revolutionise your underwater threat detection and protection. Our innovative technology combines unparalleled flexibility with intelligent threat assessment, offering you comprehensive security solutions for diverse maritime environments. From compact deployments on patrol vessels to extensive networked systems protecting expansive naval bases and container ports, Sentinel adapts seamlessly to your operational requirements. With its lightweight design, advanced algorithmic discrimination, and seamless C2 system integration, Sentinel empowers security personnel to monitor critical areas with unprecedented precision and efficiency, dramatically reducing false alarms while ensuring comprehensive threat detection. It is suitable for:

• Vessel security
• Naval ship protection
• Port and harbour security
• Naval base protection
• Protecting your maritime assets from underwater threats

How it works

Sentinel is your cutting-edge underwater security system designed to detect and track potential underwater threats across a wide range of environments. Designed by Wavefront Systems and commercialised by Sonardyne, this innovative technology provides comprehensive protection for your critical infrastructure, naval vessels, ports, and private properties.

With remarkable detection capabilities, Sentinel can identify divers up to 900 metres away and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) at distances of 1,200 metres. The system is versatile and easy to deploy, whether protecting a commercial harbour, critical national infrastructure, or a private yacht. Its advanced sonar technology can be quickly installed on boats, ports, or coastlines, creating an instant underwater security shield that operates autonomously.

Its user-friendly design sets Sentinel apart. The complex sonar technology is packaged into intuitive software, allowing security personnel without specialised technical expertise to operate the system effectively. For enhanced threat response, an optional accessory called Scylla can broadcast pre-recorded or live audio messages to divers up to 600 metres away, providing an additional layer of deterrence. Whether dealing with busy harbours, shallow waters, or strategic infrastructure sites, Sentinel offers you reliable, real-time monitoring and threat tracking in virtually any marine environment.

Capture every feature and every detail in ultra-high resolution.

Key benefits

• Mission ready; designed to support search, classify and map (SCM) and hydrographic operations
• Small and compact arrays; optimised for low-logistic AUVs and towed bodies
• Survey more ground in a single pass; 200 m-wide swath ensures high coverage rates
• Along track resolution of 0.15°; best in class delivering maximum detection rates
• Collocated side scan image and bathy improves your situational awareness
• Consumes only 18 W power: budget friendly and increases your AUV’s endurance
• Depth rated to 300 or 600 m

Solstice offers enhanced underwater detection capabilities for various missions, including mine countermeasures, archaeological, search, and salvage operations. The system provides high-performance coverage with large 200m swaths on each side, enabling efficient site characterisation without sacrificing detail. Its class-leading imagery allows you to make confident classification decisions more quickly, with the added versatility of deployment on both autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and towfish platforms. By improving probability of detection and decreasing false alarms, Solstice significantly increases the overall efficiency and reliability of underwater exploration and survey missions. It is suitable for:

• Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV)
• Site survey and characterisation
• Mine countermeasures (MCM)
• Remotely operated vehicles (ROV)
• Delivering pixel perfect imaging

Overview

Our range of heavy duty acoustic release frames increase the Working Load Limit (WLL) of RT 6-3000 and RT-6000 acoustic release transponders, enabling you to lift, lower and release heavy loads onto the seabed, including structures and specialist equipment.

The Type 7869-000-01 release frame increases the WLL of a standard RT 6-3000 or RT 6-6000 to 7,500 kg (at 4:1 safety factor) with a breaking load of 30,000 kg. The type 7869-000-05 release frame increases the WLL of a standard RT 6-3000 or RT 6-6000 to 15,000 kg (at a 4:1 safety factor) with a breaking load limit of 60,000 kg.

The Type 7988 release frame has a WLL of 25,000 kg and breaking load of 100,000 kg.

In most cases, both types of release frame can be fitted without any modification to the acoustic release itself and are easily assembled in the field. Manufactured from high-strength steel which is galvanised and powder coated, the releases offer excellent corrosion resistance for long-term deployment.

Applications for which the acoustic releases have been developed include civil engineering, offshore construction, offshore renewables, marine salvage, defence and ocean science.

At a glance

• Working Load Limit of 7,500, 15,000 or 25,000 kg
• Breaking load of  up to 100,000 kg
• Choice of depth rating: 4,000 or 12,000 m
• Compact size; just over 1 metre long
• Industry standard lifting rings

Suitable for

• Subsea structure installation
• Research vessels

Overview

Gyro Compatt 6+ is our combined LBL transponder and AHRS, supporting every stage of your structure installation project. The instrument provides wireless high update rates of attitude, heading, heave, surge, sway, temperature, pressure, SV and acoustic positioning of any subsea object. Deep water structure installation – made easy.

Gyro Compatt 6+ is no longer available for purchase. However, is still available through our hire pool. Contact [email protected] for more information.

At a glance

• Combined LBL transponder and Lodestar AHRS instrument; rugged, ROV deployable design
• Calculates motion and position of any subsea object; use it for structure installation and metrology
• Rechargeable internal battery provides more than a day of continuous use
• Wideband 3 inside; our latest signal protocols delivering fast, efficient operations
• LBL and USBL modes; optimised for Fusion 2 and Ranger 2
• Built to support subsea construction

Configurations

Shallow water (range only or full USBL)

Uses HF band vessel or USV-mounted TZT or HPT2000 USBL system with Transition Zone Transponders and LRTs attached to seismic nodes or ocean bottom cable receivers. Offers ranging precision of better than 50 mm in up to 500 m water depth.

Deep water (range only or full USBL)

Uses MF band vessel or USV-mounted TZT or HPT 5000 USBL system with SST 6 and RT6-1000 transponders. Offers ranging precision of better than 15 mm in up to 3,000 m water depth.

OEM integration

Get all the benefits of of our deep water system but with an OEM version of our SST 6 integrated in to your seismic node.

At a glance

• Enables you to position thousands of nodes or cabled seismic receivers in real-time
• Operational in 1 to 3,000 m of water
• Uses low cost acoustic transponders and acoustic releases
• Scalable for both small and large surveys
• Scalable for both small and large surveys

Transponders

The transponders developed for the system are small and lightweight and are proven to withstand the demanding and varied operational environment of surveys.

Standard features of the popular Type 7815 TZ Transponder include a depth rating of 500 metres, a unique acoustic ‘address’ enabling thousands of units to be laid in a single deployment and battery voltage monitoring to allow users to better plan their maintenance schedules. TZ Transponders operate in the HF band.

The LRT is a release transponder option for this system. It incorporates an acoustic release mechanism and is typically used at rope or cable ends to aid recovery of seabed seismic equipment after shooting is complete.

SST 6 incorporates our Wideband 2 digital acoustic signal processing architecture ensures robust positioning performance with high levels of ranging precision. It can be provided in 1,000m and 3,000m depth rated housings and is fitted with a handy Near Field Communications (NFC) link as standard for programming and battery status checking.

RT 6-1000 is a release transponder option for this system. It incorporates an acoustic release mechanism and is typically used at rope or cable ends to aid recovery of seabed seismic equipment after shooting is complete.

Both SST 6 and RT 6-1000 are MF band transponders, compatible with our family of Ranger USBL acoustic positioning systems.

Transceivers

Two surface transceiver options are available for this system. TZ Transceiver (TZT) is small and lightweight making it perfect for use vessels-of-opportunity and uncrewed surface vessels which are increasingly being used in support of offshore seismic operations. It can operate in the HF or MF frequency band.

TZT is able to interrogate and calculate acoustic ranges to nine TZ Transponders or 95 SST 6 transponders at a time.

HPT 2000 (HF) and HPT 5000 (MF) are USBL transceivers configured to measure range and bearing to TZ Transponders and SST 6 transponders respectively. They are particularly well suited to high elevation tracking scenarios and offers true simultaneous tracking of multiple transponders providing superior position update rates.

Our team is here to advise you which configuration of transponders and transceivers your offshore seismic positioning system should be configured with to meet to operational requirements.