Effective and accurate localization of underwater sources plays a central role in security monitoring of diver operations, post-accident recovery of black boxes (voice and data recorders) at sea, marine- mammal/cetacean research and associated conservation activities, etc..

The Sea Ears project addresses passive 3-dimensional localization of broadband underwater acoustic sources, using minimal hydrophone sets, taking into account refraction effects and exploiting multipath propagation. The sound sources considered are vocalizing cetaceans (e.g. sperm whales) and underwater locator beacons (ULBs) – acoustic pingers emitting short-duration pulses – involved in post- accident recovery of black boxes, diver tracking and security monitoring operations.

The Sea Ears project is cofunded by the European Social Fund and by National Resources under the Action "Excellence II" of the Operational Programme "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (GSRT).