BGS own and operate a Simrad EM3002D shallow water (0.5-160m) high resolution multibeam system. This system collects a swath of bathymetry data that is up to 10 times the water depth wide. By running survey lines correctly spaced apart, very accurate 100% coverage of the water depth can be collected. This information can be displayed as 3D viewers to fly through the data as if the water was not there.

This system is used on small vessels of opportunity and will be also be used on the new BGS road towable survey catamaran. This system has collected data in the Forth and Clyde estuaries, complete mapping of Loch Lomond and target areas in Liverpool Bay.