StarFish Seabed Imaging Systems, the shallow water sidescan sonar system from Tritech International, has proved a market success since its launch in 2007. Tritech International is an industry leader in the production of high performance acoustic sensors, video cameras and mechanical tooling equipment for professional underwater markets.

Sales of the range have continued to rise since the launch of the original StarFish 450F. StarFish applications have included search and rescue (SAR) operations as well as recognised applications for port and harbour surveys and wreck diving expeditions.

In 2010 Tritech introduced the higher frequency (452F) and higher resolution (990F) systems to the range, offering users variety from the same high specification, portable, side scan sonars on the market.

For 2011, Tritech introduced new features, enhancements and accessories to the range, including a re-engineered top box electronics module with improved noise immunity, thermal and operational reliability and improvements to the sonar connector.

Mike Broadbent, Tritech Business Development Manager comments: "The market response to our latest releases has been positive and this is evident in increased sales and enquiries. The new high-resolution models bring StarFish technology to many new applications including SAR operations, where rescuers have a need to quickly carry out large-area, high-resolution underwater searches."

StarFish systems offer three key features: advanced design, high-performance and simple operation. All systems built with the signature three-fin hydro-dynamic design offer high-performance shallow water surveys through the application of Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse (CHIRP) and digital-signal processing (DSP) techniques, able to identify small, closely spaced targets at far greater distances than conventional style frequency monotonic systems. StarFish systems are also operated with ease, offering true plug-and-play technology, powered by user-friendly StarFish Scanline software. A Software Development Kit (SDK) is also available from the StarFish website to allow ease of integration into your own software package.

The company is based in Aberdeen in the UK and has a worldwide network of distributors. Tritech is a subsidiary company of Halma p.l.c.

(Santosh Sen, Halma India, Mumbai. Tel: 022-67080400. Fax: 91-22-67080415. Email: santosh.sen@halma.com)