RN MBES Training 1994-2005 Rick Read Flagship Training Ltd.

RN MBES TrainingRN MBES Training1994-20051994-2005

Rick ReadRick ReadFlagship Training LtdFlagship Training Ltd

In the BeginningIn the Beginning

Theoretical topic - Senior Instructor Theoretical topic - Senior Instructor attended UNB Course No. 2 in Denmark.attended UNB Course No. 2 in Denmark.

1996 – RN purchased Fansweep 201996 – RN purchased Fansweep 20 Fitted to SMB Nesbitt at RN Hydrographic Fitted to SMB Nesbitt at RN Hydrographic

SchoolSchool

1997-981997-98

Early trials initiated to establish capability Early trials initiated to establish capability and limitations and subsequent fit to HMS and limitations and subsequent fit to HMS Gleaner. Gleaner.

Calibration and subsequent training Calibration and subsequent training hampered by secrecy of manufacturer.hampered by secrecy of manufacturer.

Much time lost by motion sensor engineer Much time lost by motion sensor engineer and MBES engineer not being onboard at and MBES engineer not being onboard at the same time.the same time.

TrainingTraining

Classroom theory then supported by use Classroom theory then supported by use of operational system.of operational system.

Fansweep was used to ‘demonstrate’ a Fansweep was used to ‘demonstrate’ a multibeam system to all courses.multibeam system to all courses.

Long course students used system for Long course students used system for practical surveys from 1999, but in practical surveys from 1999, but in conjunction with other ‘conventional’ conjunction with other ‘conventional’ methods.methods.

Hydromap software purchased with Hydromap software purchased with Fansweep used line by line cleaning with Fansweep used line by line cleaning with some Caris software included.some Caris software included.

Processing software was slow and Processing software was slow and algorithms behind cleaning methods not algorithms behind cleaning methods not always clearly understood.always clearly understood.

Operational AspectsOperational Aspects

Slow ping rate (2pps) meant operational Slow ping rate (2pps) meant operational sonar coverage still achieved by towed sonar coverage still achieved by towed side scan sonar.side scan sonar.

Recognition of importance of 100% Recognition of importance of 100% overlap to allow ‘check’ view of targets.overlap to allow ‘check’ view of targets.

Development of software and online ‘fixes’ Development of software and online ‘fixes’ in only two vessels caused early difficulties in only two vessels caused early difficulties with commonality.with commonality.

20002000

RN decision to fit EM 1002 and EM3000 to RN decision to fit EM 1002 and EM3000 to new ships and boats accelerated all new ships and boats accelerated all aspects of MBES training.aspects of MBES training.

EM3000 fitted in SMB at Hydro SchoolEM3000 fitted in SMB at Hydro School Post processing software (Neptune + Post processing software (Neptune +

Caris GIS) and computers were fitted in Caris GIS) and computers were fitted in chartroom as copy of onboard layout.chartroom as copy of onboard layout.

Local trials established SOPs for RN use Local trials established SOPs for RN use and training continues on this basis.and training continues on this basis.

Use of common on line software (Merlin) Use of common on line software (Merlin) allowed ship EM 1002 training from SMB.allowed ship EM 1002 training from SMB.

POS(MV) training included in both theory POS(MV) training included in both theory and practical.and practical.

Survey PlanningSurvey Planning

Training shifted away from conventional Training shifted away from conventional single beam / side scan ‘scale controlled’ single beam / side scan ‘scale controlled’ surveys to take account of MBES.surveys to take account of MBES.

Line spacing, speed of advance and Line spacing, speed of advance and overlap policy were contained within overlap policy were contained within concept of ‘data density’.concept of ‘data density’.

20052005

Fitting of multibeam to all RN Survey Fitting of multibeam to all RN Survey vessels is being implemented this year.vessels is being implemented this year.

Further SMB for training now fitted with Further SMB for training now fitted with EM3002.EM3002.

All trainees receive multibeam theory and All trainees receive multibeam theory and practical experience. practical experience.

Comments / Discussion StartersComments / Discussion Starters

Recent fitting of ships with updated Recent fitting of ships with updated hardware and software has led to hardware and software has led to commonality difficulties. commonality difficulties.

EM3000 v EM3002. Merlin v SIS.EM3000 v EM3002. Merlin v SIS.

CommentsComments

Recent introduction of Caris HIPS and Recent introduction of Caris HIPS and Fledermaus into RN post processing tool Fledermaus into RN post processing tool box has increased the training load.box has increased the training load.

Ideally students need to focus attention on Ideally students need to focus attention on one package ie: Neptune + Fledermausone package ie: Neptune + Fledermaus

However students adapt more readily if However students adapt more readily if fully confident in one software regime.fully confident in one software regime.

CommentsComments

Proliferation of Hotfixes and new versions, Proliferation of Hotfixes and new versions, many of which are customer driven, many of which are customer driven, requires training and SOP changes.requires training and SOP changes.

How to get this to deployed ships?How to get this to deployed ships? Post processing features appear before Post processing features appear before

‘The Organisation’ is ready or able to ‘The Organisation’ is ready or able to accept results ie: CUBE accept results ie: CUBE

CommentsComments

Training in operation requires finger Training in operation requires finger familiarity, and adherence to a set of familiarity, and adherence to a set of procedures.procedures.

Broader Broader education is required in is required in understanding errors, new sonar understanding errors, new sonar acoustical concepts the integration of acoustical concepts the integration of computers, motion sensors, as well as computers, motion sensors, as well as statistical cleaning algorithms.statistical cleaning algorithms.

CommentsComments

Multibeam emphasis has led to the timid Multibeam emphasis has led to the timid use of boats.use of boats.

Surveyor now has many tools in the box Surveyor now has many tools in the box and requires clear information on the and requires clear information on the rationale for the survey.rationale for the survey.

These operational choices often need re-These operational choices often need re-education of hierarchy in standards and education of hierarchy in standards and reasons for surveys.reasons for surveys.