the conventional multi beam transducer systems manufactured by the odom hydrographic systems inc however other transducer systems other than those manufactured by odom may also be used to facilitate the easy swinging of the boom 27 and to insure that sufficient space is provided for the pod 50 as it passes in front of the prow it may be desirable to cut back the prow of the vessel reducing its sharp pointed configuration to provide a flat barge like appearance at least above the water line the size and configuration of the prow of the boat is not critical and will of course be determined in connection with the configuration and length of the boom the position at which the boom is mounted to the drive shaft and the position at which the rotary actuator is mounted to the main deck the vessel 10 will be provided with various equipment and systems to carry out its function as a hydrographic survey vessel for example the transducer operating system will include a data processor 58 for operating the transducer itself and for processing the raw data recorder devices to record the data both as a visual display as well as written graph as shown the data processor 58 is electronically connected to the transducer via a plurality.