The Oceanscience Group will be offering customers a first look at the brand new Z-Boat 1800 remotely controlled survey vessel at the Hypack 2012 conference in San Diego on January 30.

The Z-Boat combines a single beam echo sounder, GPS and a fully integrated remote control and communication system that allow the operator to perform a survey while conveniently situated on the shore with real time data displayed on a laptop. Developed to offer water managers, environmental consultants, and hydrographic surveyors an alternative to manned boat surveys in shallow, hazardous, or inaccessible areas, the Z-Boat operates at a 3kt survey speed, giving a survey range of about 8 miles on each battery pack.

The Z-Boat marks the second new product developed specifically for the hydrographic survey industry by the San Diego based company after the UnderwaySV profiler, developed in partnership with Valeport in 2010. Traditionally focused on oceanographic and hydrologic instrument deployment, Oceanscience is pleased that the Z-Boat demonstration coincides with the company’s first participation in the Hypack conference as an exhibitor.

“We see an increasing proportion of our customers coming from the hydrographic survey community in the future, and we are looking forward to deepening our involvement in this industry and its great people” according to company President, Ron George. “Our latest products fit well into the modern surveyor’s quest for improved efficiency and cost-effective options”.

Subsea World News Staff , January 12, 2012; Image: Oceanscience