WASSP Reaches New Milestone (New Zealand)

Multibeam sonar manufacturer WASSP Ltd – part of the ENL Group – has reached a milestone by shipping its 500th multibeam sonar system.

The sale of the WASSP 120 degree 3D multibeam system confirms the company’s position as the number one multibeam sonar system in the world for the commercial fishing sector.

WASSP multibeam sonar’s allow vessel operators to accurately profile the water column and seafloor highlighting reefs, wrecks, fish schools, seafloor hardness changes and foreign objects in the water column or on the seabed. The information is presented in user-friendly displays, all controlled via a mouse and stored on computer hard drive for future use.

The WASSP technology offers many advantages and benefits for users, mapping the seafloor with greater accuracy allows fishing closer to structures for better quality catches and less chance of damaging gear

ENL Group CEO Gareth Hodson says he is proud of the company’s multi million dollar sales achievement to date, however is adamant that this is just the beginning for NZ’s largest marine electronics company.

“Like all ‘kiwi’ companies we have huge aspirations to be the best in the world,” says Hodson.

“WASSP has experienced significant growth over last 3 years with our multibeam sonar’s being used by commercial fisherman from Stewart Island at the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island, to China, Japan, Alaska, Iceland, France, Australia, The Netherlands and Scotland, it’s a truly global product.”

The 500th WASSP unit announcement follows the company’s recent entry into the hydrographic survey market with the release of WASSP S.

“WASSP has entered into the professional survey market, launching the new high-resolution system WASSP S – which is targeted at hydrographic survey, dredging and scientific research markets.”

“We have studied this market for many years, with our strategy to offer a cost effective IHO Standard 1A multibeam sonar for various applications in the marine professional and defence segment.”

“We are the new kids on the block in these markets although we have a great deal of confidence based on our success so far with commercial fishing.”

Significant investment has been made into WASSP research & development with the goal to introduce multiple products on new hardware and software platforms by 2014.

“This is a great achievement but we aren’t satisfied yet!”

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, August 10, 2012; Image: wassp