Pearl Expeditions has confirmed its 50-metre vessel, Paspaley Pearl, employs cutting-edge WASSP W3P multibeam sonar technology to navigate safely through poorly or inadequately charted waters across Australia’s Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, and Eastern Indonesia.
Pearl Expeditions general manager Mick Fogg said the company operates in a number of regions where reliable charts don’t exist and the WASSP system is deployed on a tender vessel that travels ahead of Paspaley Pearl, transmitting real-time 3D bathymetric maps wirelessly back to the bridge up to two nautical miles away.
“The WASSP W3P gives us eyes on the seafloor in areas where charts are decades old or of low accuracy,” Fogg said.
“We can profile the seabed 100 times faster than traditional echo sounders, identifying reefs, rocks, wrecks, and obstacles before confirming safe passage or approaching our final holding position.”
The technology’s 120-degree viewing angle captures a swath over three times the water depth, creating detailed maps that reveal both seafloor topology and water column hazards in real-time.
“This isn’t just about navigation efficiency – it’s about safe and responsible expedition cruising,” Fogg added.
“The real value is being able to explore genuinely remote destinations safely while ensuring we protect the very environments our guests come to experience.
“We can verify safe passage without leaving any trace on pristine reef systems.”
Pearl Expeditions executive chair Sarina Bratton AM said the vessel is currently sailing its inaugural Raja Ampat voyage where 75 per cent of all known coral species exist.
“We haven’t had a need to drop anchor in four days thanks to our dynamic positioning systems, eliminating our need for anchoring entirely,” Bratton said.
The company’s approach reflects growing industry recognition that authentic expedition cruising in poorly charted regions requires investment in advanced navigation and operational technology beyond standard equipment.
Offering boutique expedition cruises in Australia’s Kimberley region, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Borneo aboard the 50-metre, 30-guest motor yacht The Paspaley Pearl, Pearl Expeditions is the latest venture from the renowned Paspaley Group.
