Procedural Guideline No . 1-4 The application of sidescan sonar for seabed habitat mapping

The aim of this guideline is to highlight those aspects of sidescan sonar configuration and operation that must be considered to ensure good quality data are obtained in the field. The procedure assumes the surveyor has some experience of using sidescan sonar, particularly in respect of maintenance, testing and operation and that the terms used in this guidance note will be familiar. However, in the first instance, the authors wish to highlight an important distinction between the principal acoustic mapping systems, at a non-technical level.