10/06/07

  <---SIDE SCAN SONAR--->

  In early 2005 our team decided to invest in a new Side Scan SONAR unit.  After a extensive research and a thorough market search we decided to go with a MARINE SONIC, Inc. - Centurion "Splash Proof" system.  

We took delivery of our 600 kHz system on May 29, 2005.  Less then 2 weeks later we were called to use it for a drowning on June 10.  To date we have used the system to locate and recover 8 drowning victims.  At the request of Maryland DNR, we have run mutual aid to many other counties including Calvert, St. Mary's, Prince Georges, Anne Arundel, and Hartford.  We have also assisted Virginia authorities with drownings in Va. waters.

The images below are from the actual scans.  The have not been enhanced and appear largely as they did real-time.  To protect the dignity and identity of the victims, and the loved ones they left behind, no detail will be included regarding the date or locations of these calls.  Click on each thumbnail to bring up a larger image.

The victim is located in the upper left.
Note the marks on the bottom. 
These were created buy drag lines first
arriving units used in attempts to locate the victim.

This is a right side only scan. 
The victim can be seen in the middle on the scan.

  The victim is on the upper left.
The interference is from wave action.

  

This is a zoom from a different scan on the same call.
 

Additional images will be added soon.

This technology has tremendously improved our ability and effectiveness in large area searches.  Often times we have very little information to work with to establish a 'last seen point' for a target or victim.  Often times now these difficult searches are now little more then bounce dive for the divers to make a recovery.

This site was last updated 04/03/06

Donations can be mailed to:
Charles County Dive Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 13
Pomfret, MD 20675

For inquiries email:   administrator@ccdr.net