The purpose of this type of sonar system is to provide detection, tracking and classification information on underwater threats that could endanger property and lives.
Subsurface threats are a difficult problem, because reliable detection is available to date chiefly by use of high-resolution active sonar or trained dolphins or sea lions.
Ports face a range of threats from swimmers, boat-delivered ordnance such as limpet mines and other forms of improvised underwater explosive devices.
[3] In the above-mentioned study, conducted with the Italian Navy, it was found that diver or intruder detection sonar technology is mature inasmuch as: In 2008, the Port of Gdańsk purchased the first DDS system to be installed in a commercial oil terminal.
[8] December 2011, Asian customer places the world's largest order for underwater security systems protection of oil platforms.