Echo Sounder

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ECHO SOUNDER
SONAR (Sound and Navigational Ranging)
This term is used to identify the equipment which works on the principle of reflected
acoustic energy from sea bed or sea water such as Echo Sounder, Speed Log and fish
finder.
Echo sounder also known as echo sounding equipment is a type of SONAR used to
determine the depth of water by transmitting sound pulses into water.
Echo Sounding can also refer to hydroacoustic “echo sounders” defined as active
sound in water (SONAR) used to study fish.
The word sounding is used for all types of depth measurements, including those that
don’t use sound, and is unrelated in origin to the word sound in the sense of noise or
tones. Echo sounding is a more rapid method of measuring depth than the previous
technique of lowering a sounding line until it touched bottom.
History
German inventor Alexander Behm was granted German patent no. 282009 for the
invention of echo sounding (device for measuring depths of the sea and headings of
ships or obstacles by means of reflected sound waves) on 22 July 1913.
Norwegian inventor Hans Sundt Berggraf (1874-1941) published the same invention 8
years earlier, 8th of September 1904 in Tekmisk Ukeblad.
Fathomer – before echo sounding was termed fathometer as the traditional pre-SI unit
of measure of water depth was the fathom. The first practical fathometer was invented
by Herbert Grove Dorsey and patented in 1928.
In order to navigate the ship safely almost all of the ship uses echo sounder and one of
the prime concern is to know the depth below the ship. Echo sounder is designed to
provide reliable information on depth below a ship basically to aid navigation.
o Make uses of sound propagation technique

o To provide reliable information on depth of water
LO1: Describe the basic principles of marine echo sounding equipment
Basic Principles of Marine Echo Sounding Equipment

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A short pulse energy (acoustic pulses) are transmitted vertically down from the ship and
reflected back as echo after striking the seabed. The time taken for the return of echo
depends upon the depth of water or speed of sound through the water.
Speed of sound through the water = 1500 m/s (for calculation purpose)
Velocity of sound in water can vary approximately 1445-1535 m/s depending upon
temperature and salinity.
Parts of Echo Sounder
1. Display unit – this is located on the navigational bridge. The display unit can be a
paper recording type or digital display type. Main function of this unit is to record
and display the depth after measuring.
2. Pulse generator – this produces electrical pulses which are send to transducer.
The pulse generator can be integrated into display unit or completely separated
depending upon manufacturer.
3. Transducer – this is located at the bottom of the ship in a tank known as
transducer compartment. The transducer converts electrical pulses into sound
waves (acoustic energy) at a frequency of 12 KHz to 200 KHz. An internal clock
starts at this time. These pulses are directed towards the seabed with the help of
transducer and when pulses are reflected back from seabed, the transducer
converts the reflected sound waves into electrical pulses.
4. Amplifier – the electrical signals received from transducer are passed through an
amplifier to increase the strength of received signal. The internal clock notes the
time when pulse is returned and so the time taken is measured.
LO2: Demonstrate the accepted value of the velocity of sound in seawater and the
limits within the true value may lie
Echo Sounder: Errors and Limitations
Like all other instrument onboard echo sounder also has its limitations and sometimes
the lack of interpretation of the data can cause very serious consequences in terms of
unsafe navigation.
1. Instrument errors – these errors may not be too easily apparent or correctable
but may occur without any warning signs as there just errors on the instrument
and its functional thoughts. Its therefore important that one should not blindly rely
on the first obtain soundings and should run checks and verification using other
means as well.
o Propagation Error
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The echo sounder is calibrated for a speed of sound through water of

1500 m/s.
Extreme salinity or high temperatures = depth appears less (the signal will
be travelling faster than the set speed)
Fresh water or low temperatures = depth appears more (the signal will be
travelling slower than the set speed)
Note: This error is minimal and need be applied for hydrographic studies or
academic purposes
o Stylus Arm Rotation
Mechanical Echo Sounders
Worn gears, loose pulley belts etc. can cause an increase in the rotation
speed of the stylus.
Danger: An “INCREASE” in depth will be displayed.
Standard maintenance should be incorporate testing the timing of the
system to ensure it matches the technical specifications of machine.
Electronic Digital Display Errors

- Less likely to suffer from a mechanical error.
- More likely to simply fail all together.
- Scale may be out of synchronization.
- Power spikes may alter the displayed picture if not correctly wired
through a proper electrical filter.
2. Environmental Errors – these are the errors effects on the soundings obtain due to
the existing condition of the sea or the human error.
o Draft and Tide
NB: Echo sounders can be set to show
- Total depth of water
- Under keel clearance
When handing over ensure you know which it display is selected.
When utilizing the under keel clearance display ensure that the display
has been updated to reflect the current draft.
o Aeration & Water Noise

Air bubbles reduce the reception echoes.
Cause:
- Extensive cavitation of the propeller (going astern)
- Heavy weather (pounding)
- A fouled hull
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Adjust the echo sounder for the best possible reception and use with
caution
3. Human Errors
Setting the display to show full depth of water and assuming the readings are
under keel clearance
Reading the incorrect scale (especially on older types with multiple scales)
Selecting the wrong transducer

- Many modern vessels have fwd and aft transducers. Selecting the fwd
transducer whilst having 1.5m stern trim can have disastrous effects.
Neglecting to utilize the echo sounder all together (very common)
Switching off the alarm (stops the irritating noise)
4. False Echoes – most common types of errors and are experience quite frequently
and should be well understood to be able to interpret or real correct soundings
o Second Trace Returns
Occurs when echo is only received after the stylus has completed a
cycle. May be caused by setting the range incorrectly
o Multiple Echoes
Occur when the signal is reflected off the surface back to the seabed
and then again to the receiver. Fading out by reducing the sensitivity of
the set.
o Other Echoes – thermocline and pelagic fish/ large animal
LO3: Describe the physical factors which affect the velocity of sound in seawater
LO4: Explain how to operate a typical echo sounder and describe how to carry out
basic user maintenance, e.g. clean platen, change paper, change and adjust stylus

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SEMI FINAL COVERAGE

SONAR (Sound and Navigational Ranging)

o Make uses of sound propagation technique

LO1: Describe the basic principles of marine echo sounding equipment

Basic Principles of Marine Echo Sounding Equipment

Parts of Echo Sounder

Echo Sounder: Errors and Limitations

The echo sounder is calibrated for a speed of sound through water of

Electronic Digital Display Errors

When handing over ensure you know which it display is selected.

o Aeration & Water Noise

Selecting the wrong transducer

Neglecting to utilize the echo sounder all together (very common)

Switching off the alarm (stops the irritating noise)

o Other Echoes – thermocline and pelagic fish/ large animal

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