WORK INSTRUCTION

SONAR OPERATION IN ROV

Department Code Revision
SIG IT-03-00-03 002

Approved by Approved in Page

Aline Braga 09/24/2020 1/4

1.0. OBJECTIVE

This procedure aims to set a standard for means and ways of operating the sonar.
2.0. APLICATION

Applicable to Supervisors and and ROV operators.

3.0. BASIC ELEMENTS/ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

Not applicable
4.0. DEFINITIONS

a) RCV / ROV – Remotely Controlled (Operated) Vehicle:

Remote controlled vehicle. Submarine vehicle operated from the surface by a command unit. Such vehicle is
used for several tasks (inspection, END, cleaning of surfaces, burial of ducts, cuts and tunings and frames,
etc…);

b) Supervisor: Trained professional, licensed by the employer to supervise work fronts operating the ROV.
The supervisor may accumulate the role of vehicle operator in ROV fronts;

c) ROV Operator: Trained professional, licensed by the employer to submarine vehicle operation;

d) Slip Ring: System that allows the energy and telemetry transmission from a fixed point to a rotary point
(swivel);

e) Sonar: It’s formed by the console, screen and tracking unit. It issues and receives acoustic signals (echo)
through transducers, simultaneously. The sonar is a system composed by an atmospheric bottle containing
several electronic modules. Sonar pulse is issued by a piezoelectric transducer located in the bottle’s upper
part and that turns under an engine’s axis connected to a slip ring, all of them located in the transducer hood.
Sonavision sonars, Mercury model, work with frequency of 600 to 1200 KHz and use the following
communication protocols RS485, RS422 or RS232;
5.0. RESPONSIBILITIES

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 WORK INSTRUCTION
SONAR OPERATION IN ROV
Department Code Revision
SIG IT-03-00-03 002

Approved by Approved in Page

Aline Braga 09/24/2020 2/4

5.1 Supervisor(s) or Superintendent

Coordinate operations and customer service (reports, planning).

5.2 Operator(s)
Perform tasks presented in this instruction.

6.0. REQUIRED RESOURCES

6.1 Team
Supervisor or Superintendent
ROV Operator(s)

6.2 Equipment
Vehicle (ROV Mohawk);
Container for ROV control with Power Unit, Control unit and Voltage Transformers sonar;
System for ROV launching;
Launching basket;
Computer for sonar operation (software) – minimum configuration Pentium 500 MHz, 32 MB RAM, color
monitor SVGA 256 colors, serial port RS232.
7.0. ACTIVITIES

7.1 System Initialization

Before initiating the software, the operator shall ensure that the equipment is powered and connected to the
vehicle. Sonavision system will open a window to select sensor interface type. Operator shall select the
interface which will be used.

7.2 System Operation

7.2.1 Filer Bar
At the command bar file, operator can access several commands. Open command open up the new window
of a sensor. In case there is more than one sensor, the same quantity of opened windows can exists.
Open and close commands open and close existent windows, respectively while the command save image
stores frozen images from the sensor. Load command opens images already stored.

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Printed in 18/03/2021
 WORK INSTRUCTION
SONAR OPERATION IN ROV
Department Code Revision
SIG IT-03-00-03 002

Approved by Approved in Page

Aline Braga 09/24/2020 3/4

7.2.2 View Menu

Menu view activates 3 options for control and display. They are tool bar, status bar, showing equipment
status, and the control panel. Control panel presents several pages where various sonar parameters can be
configured. Among them we have:
• Range – Operator can select sonar maximum range.
• Gain – Acoustic gain can be adjusted, changing amplification of received signal and increasing a target
on the screen (in case it is slightly faded) or even reduce the resolution of an object with a very strong
sign, in a way to better see it, in case it is the operator’ s preference.
• Scan Rate – controls rotation speed of sonar. By increasing the speed, onscreen angle resolution is
reduced.
• Scan Control – Informs that the head shall rotate within the angles defined by operator, in the commands
scan size and scan centre.
• Scan direction – Changes rotation orientation of the head.
• Sample Resolution – Adjusts images resolution. For example, when reducing sample resolution, the
image on screen will present fewer details, but it will be updated in a faster way.

7.2.3 Display
Display presents 03 (three) options:
• PPI (Plan Position Indicator) – Image is displayed in circle, around sonar.
• B-Scan – Head rotates + and – 90 degrees from trim central position, and with it on the middle of the
screen. In B-Scan the range is shown in Y axis and the transducer's head in the X axis. It is not possible
to use zoom in this mode.
• Side Scan – Transducer stops at the central position of the trim, and shows a cascade image type of
acoustic targets. Side-scan is only effective when sonar is moving, otherwise it will see only repeated
images of the target being detected in the only turn.

• Unities – Operator can choose meters, feet or yards.

7.2.4 Markers
Markers panel creates configurations for marking objects on the screen, including names, colors and
indicating or selecting forms.

7.3 Failure Situations of sonar Operation

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 WORK INSTRUCTION
SONAR OPERATION IN ROV
Department Code Revision
SIG IT-03-00-03 002

Approved by Approved in Page

Aline Braga 09/24/2020 4/4

7.3.1 I/O Control

This control stands for telemetry monitoring between surface unity and sonar in ROV. Any fail shall be
reported, and the representative shall be contacted.

7.3.2 Sonar Faill

In case of sonar failure, supervisor shall access if the operation can be performed normally, without any risk.
In negative case, operation shall be concluded and the sonar shall be fixed.
8.0. EXPECTED OUTPUTS

Sonars safe and efficient operation.

9.0. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Use of specific IPE for electricians during manipulation of electric equipment (rubber boot, helmet with total
flap, insulating glove, RG marking, etc…).
10.0. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Disposable materials shall be separated according to the Selective Collection Program implanted at the
company, being a responsibility of all employees the correct destination of each generated waste.
11.0. ANNEX
Not applicable.
12.0. REVISIONS LOG
Revision Approval Date Description
002 24/09/2020 INITIAL VERSION

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