This course is to cover sonar search operations, specifically transom mounted side scan. Initially, students will receive instruction on Command and Control and how it relates to managing the incident. We will discuss establishment of the command post, last known or last seen point, witness interviews, and ArcGIS mapping. These items are important in establishing sonar search areas as well as managing resources. We will cover boat maneuvering, speed, device settings, and other factors that will improve the quality of the scans and aid in the location of targets. Lastly, we will use recorded sonar scans to view on the Reef Master software. Practical scenarios will be to establish a command post, delegate someone to “Sonar Operations”, establish sonar search areas, and deploy boats into the areas to perform scans. During the scans, all boats shall insert mission points and images to the ArcGIS mapping as well as relay GPS Coordinates of any targets to the command post. Once polygons and sector scans of targets are complete, we will view the recorded scans on Reef Master and make a decision to deploy the ROV on the targets. Once all targets are recovered for the day, this portion of the class will be complete.

Day 1 - Lecture / PowerPoint

• Command and Control
• What is Side Scan and how it operates
• Different manufacturers
• Pros and Cons
• Limitations of Side Scan
• Clean bottom scans
• Effective grid searches
• Marking waypoints
• Review of imagery

Day 2

• Discuss topography challenges / depth changes
• Small area challenges

• Known target identification
• Review of imagery

Day 3  - Final Scenario

• Crews will receive call for drowning
• Command post will be established
• Side scan search areas will be established and assigned
• Potential targets shall be properly uploaded to Arc GIS, saved as waypoints in graph, and GPS coordinates relayed to the command post 
• Sector searches shall be performed to improve imagery and aid in confirming the target
• Crews shall prepare area for an ROV deployment and retrieve target