Australian Navy to Upgrade Survey Vessels

FarSounder, Inc. said it has been awarded a contract to provide four complete FarSounder-1000 systems plus spare parts for the upgrade of four Paluma class hydrographic Survey Motor Launches operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Seismic Asia Pacific Pty. Ltd. of Salisbury, Australia will be responsible for the purchase of the equipment and assist with the systems integration. Seismic Asia Pacific is the FarSounder dealer for this project with BAE Systems as the prime contractor.

The 360-metric-ton Survey Motor Launches, HMA ships Paluma (IV), Mermaid, Shepparton (II) and Benalla (II), were designed for operations in the shallow waters of northern Australia. Each Survey Motor Launch carries the latest in survey and computerized hydrographic data processing equipment and is fitted with the latest navigation aids. Their twin hulls provide good stability in heavy conditions, along with good living room and space below the main deck.