A case of drowning in water or a boat sinking, etc. Activities carried out individually or jointly by search and rescue organizations of different state units such as the Coast Guard, Gendarmerie, Police, Natural Disaster Organizations (AFAD, etc.), Fire Brigades, Lifeguards in cases of drowning or disappearance due to drowning or for the purpose of finding drowned persons. It is defined as (A/K).
In developed countries, high-tech underwater sensors are used to detect human, submerged or any object underwater. The most frequently used ones are Remote Controlled Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ROV), Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Side Scan Sonar (YTS), Multi-Bim Imaging Sonar, Artificial Intelligence Based Hand Sonar and Towed Underwater Camera System. The most important point here is that one of them is not an alternative to the other, on the contrary, all these technologies should be used together in a certain order and sequence so that the A/K activity can be carried out in the most effective way and the wanted object or people can be found in the shortest time and at the least cost.
Considering that the Search and Rescue (A/C) area is generally a large area and that this area will grow even more due to sometimes strong currents, the ideal A/K method and technological underwater sensor equipment to be used should be as follows:
Today's sonar technologies are so advanced that it is possible to obtain underwater images close to photographic images by processing sonar signals in Side Scan Sonars (YTS). Thanks to the cooperation of the system used with the GPS (Navigation System), it provides the opportunity to interfere with the contacts found. Especially in A/K missions, the object, the missing person, etc. It is used to scan the field quickly, safely and flawlessly when the location is unknown. Since the image quality is very good, it offers the opportunity to detect even human bodies or much smaller objects. Apart from these, it is also used to create maps (Mosaic, etc.) in unknown areas that have not been surveyed or scanned before, and to examine the underwater floor.
Remote Controlled Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (ROV) is available in various sizes and options according to the purposes for which it is desired to be used. Thanks to the options (EIS, CBI, YTS, Sensors, Manipulator) that are standard on it and can be added, it has the ability to do everything that can be done by human ingenuity, very simply and without the limitation of working time. Being able to perform the task or the job in a healthier and higher quality manner by eliminating both diver safety and human factor while working in waters with bad visibility, currents and unknown previously experienced makes ROVs one of the most important underwater technology products. ROV models produced and developed by Subsea Tech are unrivaled compared to their counterparts, especially in Thruster power, resistance to currents and physical challenges. Especially for tough sea and mission conditions, durability and thruster power are the most important features to be considered in ROVs.
Remote Controlled Surface Vehicles (USV) are catamaran type vehicles with remote control and/or autonomous modes designed for hydrographic data collection or surface/underwater inspection and inspection activities in underwater areas located in ports, coastal areas and inland waters. Thanks to its open architecture and high-speed PC-PC communications, it allows easy integration of any sensor running on Windows. The shoreline control computer provides real-time display and control of navigation and onboard sensors. In particular, it contributes to keeping personnel safety at the highest level by enabling the remote execution of Mine and Additive Substance Detection, survey and A/K activities that involve risk. Optional mini-ROV on USVs, multi-beam sonar and sounder, side-scan sonar, GPS (RTK) navigation system, etc. Thanks to its options, it can be used actively in all kinds of missions and operations. When requested by the operator, it can be launched and retrieved again for the purpose of closely examining and interfering with the detected targets as quickly as possible. Thanks to its long battery life and fast replacement battery feature, it eliminates the human factor and provides 7/24 operation.
In developed countries, high-tech underwater sensors are used to identify the human body underwater.
Likewise, thanks to the developments in scientific studies on Artificial Intelligence (AI), the applications of programming the computer in line with the desired purpose and the computer's self-development by learning it have become widespread.
Thanks to the Artificial Intelligence Technology, which is only available in AquaEye Hand Sonar in the world, the reflected signals returned to AquaEye Hand Sonar can be compared with the human physical characteristics defined in the artificial intelligence algorithm embedded in the device, and it can detect and notify whether the underwater object is human or not.
Launched in 2021 and currently used by Search and Rescue (A/K) units in over 100 states/cities, AquaEye is a handheld tool that helps find people lost in water much faster than conventional methods (buoys, circular scanning, etc.). type sonar device.
Thanks to Aqua Eye's 50-meter sonar range, 1.5 m in about 4.000 minutes2 ie 4 acres, maximum 4 minutes. It has the ability to scan 8 acres of land. Sea, river, lake, stream, turbid waters, etc. It can be used in any aquatic environment. In addition to divers, it can also be used from the shore, pier or boat.
Thanks to the Artificial Intelligence-Based AquaEye Hand Sonar, it puts an end to the search and rescue activities that take days and carried out with primitive methods (buoys, etc.) and makes it possible to find the corpse lost by drowning in the water much faster.
In addition, as the duration of the Search and Rescue (A/C) activity increases, the fatigue and distraction of the personnel increases, and the feelings such as hopelessness and sadness due to the fact that the people who drowned cannot be found decrease the effectiveness of the activity. In addition to all this, higher costs due to more working hours cause resource bottlenecks. The most important reason for all these is the inability to use high-tech sonar products due to various reasons (resource/budget shortage, disbelief/distrust of technology, contempt for technology, etc.).
The main objectives and contribution of AquaEye Hand Sonar;
Underwater Imaging Systems, thanks to the developing technology (Camera resolution, image enhancement systems), can display objects or details that cannot be noticed by the human eye during diving in turbid and polluted waters. Areas that need to be scanned or searched can be controlled very slowly by divers, compared to imaging systems, and some details can be overlooked. For this reason, imaging systems whose aerodynamics are specially designed and can be pulled from boats/boats stably offer the opportunity to perform a safe, comfortable, fast and higher quality operation in A/K missions or areas where inspection is required.
Underwater video and communication systems designed for Search/Rescue and Industrial Divers provide the opportunity to both increase the safety of divers and to monitor and intervene the operation from the surface, especially in waters with poor visibility and in dives with high dangerous levels. Thanks to its high resolution camera and lighting, it helps to detect and intervene the objects that escape the eyes of the divers. These systems are also very important in terms of diving safety, as it is a very important element for SCUBA dives to control divers and intervene when necessary in any emergency. It offers video and audio connections to 4 (four) divers. The communication connection of the dive supervisor, stand-by divers and assistants facilitates the rapid response of the entire dive team by monitoring the operation live. Apart from being light and compact, it is possible to dive continuously for up to 4 hours thanks to the batteries on it.
FishFinder, It can be defined as devices that help to see the distance, size and similar data of objects using sound waves. By making use of the propagation of sounds under water, sonar devices provide navigation under and above water, object detection and communication with acoustic signal processing.
The multi-beam imaging sonar range has a durable, compact form. The dual frequency nature of these systems, which provides a unique image quality, is also an important feature. Multi-beam sonar systems are frequently requested devices used as underwater imaging tools.
Blueprint Oculus multi-beam imaging sonar systems operate in the low and high frequency range needed. The operating range of these systems is from 0,1 m to 200 m. The fact that the operating range is so much shows how functional the devices are.
Sonar systems provide great convenience in terms of imaging. These systems provide angular resolution up to 0,25 degrees. At the same time, a range resolution of up to 2 mm is among the current features of the devices.
Key features of Blueprint Oculus multi-beam imaging sonar;
Multi-beam and imaging sonar systems drive the work of mini, inspection classes, and large working classes of ROVs.
Multi-beam sonar systems have been developed for every difficulty level. Intuitive and simple operator software supports easy use of the systems.
Ultra-resolution scanner feature and rock structure of multi-beam sonar systems increase the image quality. The systems' superior resolution transmits clearly images of rock structure or fish at distances of up to 200 meters or more.
The easy installation of sonar systems provides a great advantage. Some sonar systems have a structure that can be connected to the network. Sonar systems that work with a scanner system, on the other hand, give better results in terms of clarity and detail.
The working principle of multi-beam and imaging sonar systems is based on sound and navigation. In addition, the systems also provide image transmission.
The environment map is created to find the objects in the environment. In this method, sound waves are used. When the systems start to work, the sound wave clusters head towards the medium.
The working principle of visual sonar systems is provided by activating transmitters and receivers. It provides instantaneous transmission from the transmitter at the moment of an impulse. This transmission is converted into sound wave by the converter.
When the incoming sound wave hits the object, the sound returns. Next, the echo amplifies the sound by the receiver. This power is converted by an electrical pulse. The data is reflected on the screen, then the transducer and helps to detect and transmit sound waves.
Usage areas of sonar systems;
Underwater acoustic positioning systems can be defined as devices that help learn the location of entities in the water. Real-time AUV, ROV and diver tracking is provided by underwater acoustic positioning systems. Underwater acoustic positioning systems can also be defined as a series of high-accuracy USBL acoustic positioning systems.
Underwater location systems, which have a compact form, show excellent performance in real-time AUV and ROV tracking.
Underwater positioning systems also provide bidirectional data exchange. At the same time, these devices have an operating range of 300, 1000 and 2000 meters and are equipped with simple and intuitive operator software.
Basic features of underwater positioning system;
Working principle of underwater positioning systems;
Underwater location systems work with a certain working principle. Acoustic positioning systems measure positions in accordance with the frame of the station that must be deployed prior to operations.
In the case of a long baseline (LBL) system, a set of baseline transponders is placed on the seafloor. Precise measurement of the basic transponders relative to each other or in the direction of their position in global coordinates must be ensured.
Some systems assist in this task as they operate as an automatic acoustic. In other cases, GPS is used to locate key transponders during or after deployment. The general working principle of underwater positioning systems is simple.
Underwater positioning systems work with navigation. Acoustic positioning is ready for operation after basic deployment and inspection. Interrogative basic transponders transmit the acoustic signals they receive. The response of the basic transponders is received again in the ROV. The flight time signal or the distances to the relevant units are transmitted to the operator console by position calculation via the ROV cable.
Acoustic distance measurements provide better positioning accuracy in three-dimensional underwater spaces. This process is augmented with depth sensor data. Acoustic positioning systems provide accuracy from a few centimeters to hundreds of meters. The performance of these systems varies greatly depending on the model and type of positioning system.
Underwater positioning systems have a compact structure by design. The functional structure of positioning systems is understood from the operating system. Because working in water is often challenging, underwater positioning systems provide a great deal of convenience and confidence in accurately locating or learning the location of assets in water. These systems are also used to track divers.
The positioning system assists the positioning process acoustically due to its working principle. Since the divers' position is found with underwater positioning systems, the life safety of individuals is protected. Up to 14 water assets can be tracked with these systems. Underwater positioning systems, whose operator software is sensitive, have a feature that easily follows the target.
The SeaTrac Underwater Acoustic Positioning System, developed by BluePrint, is a highly accurate USBL acoustic positioning system for real-time ROV, AUV and diver tracking. With the ability to both monitor and exchange data with 2000 or more USBLs up to a range of 1 meters, the list of potential applications is endless.
SeaTrac Underwater Acoustic Positioning System;
