New Shallow Water Dynamic Positioning Technology Launched

Building on Sonardyne’s decade-long expertise in hybrid acoustic-inertial navigation systems, the company has launched of its new shallow water dynamic positioning (DP) reference system.

SPRINT-Nav DP integrates high-grade inertial navigation with doppler velocity log (DVL) technology in a single, pre-calibrated unit. The system joins Sonardyne’s renowned SPRINT-Nav family, which has become the standard for underwater vehicle navigation worldwide.

Developed in response to SPRINT-Nav customer’s requests and an increasing demand for shallow water DP operations from the offshore wind farm sector, SPRINT-Nav DP has undergone extensive trials and validation tests to ensure it maintains the mandatory class requirements as an alternative position reference into a vessel’s DP system.

SPRINT-Nav DP provides accurate and reliable positioning without the need for a GNSS signal. This makes it ideal for a wide range of shallow water operations, including offshore renewable energy and nearshore work where GNSS signals are often spoofed, blocked or distorted by nearby structures.

This latest addition to the SPRINT-Nav family also saves DP vessel operators both time and money. The DVL bottom-lock technology, effective up to 230 m depth, means there is no need to deploy sensors or other equipment as the seabed itself is used as the positioning reference. Factory pre-calibration means that SPRINT-Nav DP is operational as soon as the vessel arrives on site.

Duncan Rigg, Business Development Manager – Vessel Systems, commented, “SPRINT-Nav DP represents a leap forward in shallow water vessel positioning. By removing GNSS dependencies, we’re enabling operators to work more efficiently and dependably in challenging environments.

“Many existing customers had asked about using their SPRINT-Nav’s for dynamic positioning and we are delighted to introduce SPRINT-Nav DP to enhance their operations.”