Side scan sonar is one of the most powerful tools in the hydrographic surveyor's kit and one of the most misunderstood. Producing accurate, interpretable acoustic imagery of the seafloor requires more than towing a sensor behind a vessel. It demands an understanding of equipment configuration, positional corrections, processing workflows, and the kind of practiced eye that comes from experience looking at real data.

This course introduces the theory, deployment, and data processing workflow of side scan sonar in hydrographic surveying, with practical context drawn from real survey operations. Developed in partnership with the Conrad Blucher Institute for Surveying and Science and taught by Jim Naismith, RPLS, LSLS, OUPV the course grounds every concept in professional field practice.

You will explore how the towfish emits and receives acoustic energy, how to configure and deploy it in shallow-water environments, and how to move confidently through the complete SonarWiz post-processing workflow. The course culminates in hands-on target interpretation by using acoustic shadows, backscatter patterns, and local knowledge to identify what is sitting on the seafloor.