'Recherche de l’Oiseau Blanc’ Project

From Hydro International

UK-headquartered Swathe Services has supported the ‘Recherche de l’Oiseau Blanc’ project for the second year.

The survey works were conducted close to St Pierre et Miquelon off the coast of Newfoundland with the primary goal being to locate two important wrecks: the first being an aircraft which disappeared in 1927 and the second a French trawler which was lost at sea in 1962.

The survey equipment chosen for this exploration included a Klein 3900 side-scan sonar interfaced with SonarPro and a towed Marine Magnetics Seaspy magnetometer interfaced with Hypack Max.

Swathe Services was involved in the equipment selection and supplied a highly competent French hydrographic surveyor for mobilisation/demobilisation and operation of the side-scan sonar system.  

Three weeks of operations identified a number of targets which were subsequently checked using the higher frequency side-scan mode and/or divers for shallow depth locations.

Two of the targets were ships that had previously sunk around the area in the late 70’s but without any original known position. Side-scan sonar images and accurate positions were later given to the local authorities.

Unfortunately, the two desired wrecks were not located this year and further plans are being made to extend the survey area further in future years.

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