In 2022 and 2023 the Sea Ranger Service vessel SV Fantastiko carried out surveying at a offshore test site, as well as an underwater ship wreck, off the coast of The Netherlands. In collaboration with Kongsberg, G2 Surveys and the maritime training institute Willem Bartensz, a multibeam echosounder (MBES) was extensively deployed by a certified surveyor and hydrography students. MBES is a type of sonar that can accurately map the seabed.
The main objective of these initial surveys has been to validate the effective use of surveying equipment from a sailing work vessel. As it is primarily powered by wind, using such a vessel can realise a substantial emission saving compared to traditional motorised vessels of similar size carrying out the same work. The Sea Ranger Service aims to decarbonise the maritime sector through the deployment of sailing work vessels for such tasks. The collected surveying data meets all industry quality standards as expected of commercial MBES surveys.
The Sea Ranger Service is currently expanding its offshore capacity to service offshore surveying assignments for maritime firms and government agencies, in conjunction with conservation tasks.