All 7 parts, explained
1. Sonar screen
The round screen shows the echoes coming back: hills, rocks and slopes on the sea floor appear as shapes.
Fun fact Dolphins and bats use echoes in the same way to find their way.
2. Sea floor map
This screen shows a map of the sea floor in colors, made from thousands of sonar echoes.
Fun fact Much of the deep sea floor has still not been mapped in detail.
3. Headphones
The sonar operator wears headphones to listen to the sounds of the sea.
Fun fact Whales, dolphins and even shrimp make sounds that can be heard underwater.
4. Porthole
Through the porthole, the operator can glimpse rocks and corals lit by the submarine's lights.
Fun fact Many deep-sea corals grow very slowly, over hundreds of years.
5. Charts
Paper charts lie on the desk, showing the depth of the sea in curving lines.
Fun fact Lines that join places of the same depth are called contour lines.
6. Sonar operator
The sonar operator watches the screens closely and tells the pilot what lies ahead.
Fun fact At night, the sonar station is still watched by the night crew.
7. Control room
The sonar station is right next to the pilot in the control room.
Fun fact The pilot and the sonar operator talk all the time during a dive.
