Shipping channel navigable depth and mud metering

The Hydramotion MudBug is a safe, easy-to-use system for determining the navigable depth of a shipping channel by making reliable real-time measurements of the density of the silt or fluid mud

The Hydramotion MudBug is a safe, easy-to-use system for determining the navigable depth of a shipping channel by measuring the density of the silt or fluid mud.

The Hydramotion MudBug is new, convenient system for making reliable real-time measurements of fluid mud density in ports or harbours while avoiding the problems that have dogged earlier systems.

A clear density profile of a shipping channel enables port and harbour authorities to determine navigable depth with greater precision.

This offers a valuable chance to reduce maintenance dredging, which is costly and can be environmentally damaging.

Research has shown that deep-draught vessels can generally navigate safely through silt or fluid mud up to a density of about 1200 kg/m3.

The challenge has always been to detect the point at which this critical density is reached, as traditional acoustic methods of seabed profiling are inadequate for this purpose.

Using proven, patented technology, the MudBug is based on the well-established "tuning fork" principle, but does not suffer from the disadvantages of the conventional design.

Only one tine of the fork is exposed, which eliminates the risk of material clogging the sensor while enabling the probe to deal with a wider range of mud density.

The sensor is connected by means of a ruggedised umbilical cable to a signal processor on the survey vessel.

The signal processor uses rechargeable batteries for maximum portability and can be connected to a PC or laptop using a standard RS232/Modbus link.

The MudBug is supplied ready for immediate use, with no need for any on-site calibration.

Readings can be taken as soon as the sensor is in the water.

The instrument can be towed through the mud or used at point locations for spot measurement.

Density, depth and temperature can all be read directly or logged using the software provided.

The sensor is robust yet weighs under 10 kilos, which makes it very portable and easily deployed by hand.

The whole system can easily be operated by one person.

The sensor, signal processor, charger, software and cables are all packed in a standard-sized flight case for ease of transport.

Back to top