Die gelbe peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera fährt im grünen wasser entlang einer stahlspundwand
Under water

Our drone can also see where things are getting tight

Especially in hard-to-reach or shallow harbor areas, we need to know exactly how much water remains beneath the ships' keels. The echo.1 survey drone is now helping us with this.

Die gelbe peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera fährt auf dem wasser in dem die sonne glitzert

It looks like a modern toy and is also a bit of fun. But our innovative echo.1 sounding drone, the smallest sounding vessel in our fleet, has a very serious purpose and is packed with technology. It ensures that the Port of Hamburg has become even safer for ships.</p

Modern sounding vessels are now standard in all major ports worldwide. With their acoustic measuring systems, they show very precisely how deep the water is and where dredging may be necessary. However, narrow and shallow areas also need to be inspected time and again. Manned ships are sometimes too large or not maneuverable enough.

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Die gelbe peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera in einem hafenbecken, im hintergrund eine brücke und die Elbphilharmonie in hamburg
echo.1 on its maiden voyage in Sandtorhafen.

This is where our new 50 kg electric jet-powered direction finder drone is now being used. It can travel for up to 6 hours at 4 knots on one charge. And with a draft of just 20 cm and a length of 1.65 meters, it can get into the smallest corners. It can actually do everything that a large sounding vessel can do. In addition to classic underwater sounding with the multibeam echo sounder, it also has a special type of camera above water with which a precise 3D laser scan, e.g. of banks and quay walls, can be created.

The small and quiet drone is also ideal for water areas that are not actually used by ships, such as the Alte Süderelbe or the new Kreetsand shallow water area.

Die gelbe peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera auf einem metallgestell am rand eines gewässers, in dem ein metallboot mit monitor und aussenborder am ufer liegt
echo.1 ready for use on the Alte Süderelbe. The data obtained in this way is also of great importance for nature and water protection.

However, the small size of echo.1 is not the only advantage. Thanks to the high-precision GPS and remote data transmission, the drone can be easily operated by remote control, but it can also independently process predetermined direction finding tasks and transmit the results in real time. This saves time and routes for the large sounding ships and, not least, fuel and emissions.

schematische darstellung der gelben peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera

Safety is always the top priority. Even though the drone has a camera on board that shows what is happening around it, it is always operated within sight of our hydrographers, who can intervene at any time in the event of danger, so that collisions with other vehicles are ruled out not only by the forward-looking short-range radar, but also by constant visual monitoring. So it doesn't work without people after all. There's just too much going on in the port for that.

Die gelbe peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera fährt auf einem gewässer, im hintergrund die METHA, eine anlage zur aufbereitung von hafenschlick
Even where no ships are sailing, the direction finder drone can measure reliable data, such as in the METHA reservoir.
The exact fill level can be clearly seen in the 3D image of the METHA storage tank.
Die gelbe peildrohne Echo.1 mit antennen und einer kamera fährt in einem kanal mit grünen ufern, am ufer ein mann mit einer fernsteuerung
Even small trenches can be precisely measured with echo.1.

You can find out more on our YouTube channel!

Water drones in the Port of Hamburg

Peel drone echo.1 in the port of Hamburg

 

 

FAQ about the echo.1 direction finder drone

The most important questions and answers at a glance.

 

The direction finder drone supports the HPA in accurately measuring water depths in difficult-to-access or shallow port areas. It helps to determine how much water remains under the keel of the ships - a key safety factor for port operations.</p

 

 

Modern sounding ships use acoustic systems to measure water depth. However, in narrow or very shallow areas, manned ships are sometimes too large or not maneuverable enough. This is where the echo.1 sounding drone can be used safely and efficiently.</p

 

 

The peildrone has an electric jet drive and can be used for up to 6 hours at a speed of approx. 4 knots. It weighs around 50 kg, has a draft of only 20 cm and is 1.65 meters long. It has a multibeam echo sounder for underwater sounding and a 3D laser camera for precise measurements of shores or quay walls. This equipment makes it the smallest but ultra-modern sounding vessel in the fleet.

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The echo.1 drone can also take bearings where no ships are sailing - for example in the Alte Süderelbe, in ditches and canals or in shallow water areas Kreetsand. Its small size and silence make it particularly suitable for ecologically sensitive areas.</p

 

 

It reaches the tightest corners and shallow zones, can autonomously carry out defined sounding tasks and transmit measurement data in real time. It can also be used in inland areas such as canals, trenches and basins. Less operating time for large sounding vessels also means lower fuel consumption and emissions.

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The drone can be operated by remote control or autonomously. It can also follow predefined routes independently. Thanks to high-precision GPS and stable data transmission, it can carry out its tasks very reliably.</p

 

 

The data is important for the safe navigation of ships, decisions on where dredging should take place, as well as nature and water protection, e.g. in shallow water areas or reservoirs.

 

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