HMS Scott-United Kingdom ocean survey ship

Minimizing the cost per survey mile while insuring that survey products meet required standards is a prime consideration when evaluating oceanographic surveying systems. This was one of the prime factors that led to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense Procurement Executive (UK MOD PE) selection of a U.S. Navy designed ocean survey system to be installed aboard a new construction ship. The 13500 ton HMS SCOTT was designed and built specifically to accommodate the U.S. Survey system and is considered the UK's premier survey ship, conducting survey operations lasting 30 days or more and spending approximately 300 days at sea each year. The mission of HMS SCOTT is to gather, process and record time-correlated bathymetric, gravity, magnetic and other oceanographic data as a function of latitude and longitude. The survey system used to accomplish the bathymetric data gathering portion of their mission is composed of three major subsystems; Navigation, Sonar and Mission Control and Processing. These subsystems are supported by a dedicated regulated power system. The Navigation Subsystem provides precise and accurate platform attitude, position and velocity. The Sonar Subsystem provides both multi-beam, wide swath (120 degree coverage) and single beam derived depth data which is correlated with precise time-tagged position information. The Mission Control and Processing (MCAP) Subsystem provides centralized control and performance monitoring of overall survey system operation. Since deployment in early 1998, HMS SCOTT has successfully conducted highly accurate bathymetric surveys at an average sustained speed of 12 knots in ocean depths ranging from 50 fathoms to approximately 2500 fathoms in various types of terrain, from flat to very high relief.