Written by: Maria Zavarce

Contributor: Lukas Wilgosh

6 Ways the Surveyor 240-16 is Transforming Drone-Based Hydrographic Surveys

July 24, 2025

3 minutes read

Mapping a riverbed, inspecting underwater infrastructure or monitoring coastal erosion presents unique challenges, chief among them is obtaining accurate data beneath the waterline. Many sonar systems are often bulky, complex and not ideal for modern, agile survey methods. Filling this gap is the Cerulean Surveyor 240-16 Multibeam Echosounder, a new lightweight, drone-deployable solution designed to bring high-resolution underwater mapping within reach of surveyors, researchers and engineers alike.

In this article, we’ll explore how the Surveyor 240-16 is transforming hydrographic workflows with six standout features that make it a go-to tool for shallow water and nearshore applications:

1. High-Resolution Sonar at 240 kHz

The Surveyor 240-16 operates at a 240 kHz frequency, which gives it the edge when it comes to resolution. You get crisp detail and clear bottom definition, especially in shallow to mid-depth waters (up to 50 meters). If you’re trying to detect small underwater features like rocks, submerged logs or erosion patterns, that extra clarity can mean the difference between usable data and missed insight.

These tools support a comprehensive pipeline from raw data collection to final surface generation, ensuring precision and data integrity in hydrographic surveys.

2. Smart Angle-of-Arrival Technology

Unlike other multibeam systems that rely solely on beamforming, the Surveyor 240-16 uses angle-of-arrival (AoA) estimation. That means sub-degree angular resolution and more precise spatial data.

Better angular accuracy = better bathymetric models.

This is especially useful when you’re building terrain maps for engineering, modeling sediment flow, or planning underwater construction.

3. Covers More, Faster: 80° Swath Coverage

The system’s 80° cross-track beam is wide enough to detect 10–15 targets per ping, helping you scan larger areas in less time. Whether you’re flying a drone over a reservoir or running a survey along a riverbank, this kind of efficiency reduces the number of passes you need and cuts down your total mission time.

4. Reliable Depth and Position Data

By combining time-of-flight with angular measurements, the Surveyor 240-16 delivers highly accurate target positioning and depth data. This level of precision is a must for inspecting underwater infrastructure like bridge pylons or pipelines, where small changes can signal big issues.

5. Built-In IMU for Stable Readings

Worried about UAV movement affecting your data? The built-in inertial measurement unit (IMU) takes care of pitch and roll compensation. Your data stays stable, even if your drone doesn’t. That’s a huge plus when working in windy or unstable environments, especially over water.

6. Designed for Drones

The Surveyor 240-16 is built from the ground up to work with DJI M300/M350/M400 RTK drones and other UAVs so you can map from the air without needing boats, crews or shore access. That’s a game-changer for sites that are hard to reach, like remote wetlands, canals, or flood zones. Weighing just 2.4 kg, including all components, the multibeam echosounder is light enough to carry in a case and easy to mount on most mid-size UAVs.

Figure 1. Illustrates the sensor alignment and patch test corrections performed in BeamworX AutoPatch, focusing on roll, pitch and heave adjustments to ensure accurate bathymetric positioning.

Figure 2. Presents the cleaned and gridded bathymetric dataset in BeamworX AutoClean, highlighting surface modeling, depth variation and quality control processes essential for producing reliable seabed maps.

Together, these tools support a comprehensive pipeline from raw data collection to final surface generation, ensuring precision and data integrity in hydrographic surveys.

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About the Author

Maria Zavarce, Marketing Coordinator at Measur, brings over three years of specialized experience in the drones and robotics industry. Combining her knowledge of emerging technologies with 8+ years of inbound marketing and SEO, she provides actionable insights into the transformative power of advanced solutions.

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