SKIPPER ECHOSOUNDER GDS 101
SKIPPER Electronics AS
Refurbished
The SKIPPER GDS-101 is a professional marine navigation echo sounder manufactured by SKIPPER Electronics AS of Norway. It is designed to continuously measure and display the depth of water beneath a vessel, helping bridge officers monitor under-keel clearance and reduce grounding risk during coastal navigation, harbor approaches and shallow-water operations.
The photograph supplied by SM MARINE SERVICE™ clearly shows the SKIPPER GDS 101 model designation and “Made in Norway” marking on the front panel. The unit is powered on and displaying the echo-sounder interface, including gain, TVG, depth alarms and the visible “LOST BOTTOM” status message.
Manufacturer: SKIPPER Electronics AS
Country of Origin: Norway
Exact Model: GDS-101 / GDS101
Product Type: Navigation Echo Sounder / Graphic Depth Sounder
Display: 10.4-inch color LCD
Marine Application: Depth measurement and safe navigation
Supported Transducer Frequencies: 38 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz configurations
Navigation Interface: NMEA 0183 and other documented external interfaces
Installation: Ship bridge / navigation console
SKIPPER states that it manufactures IMO Wheelmarked echo sounders and speed logs for marine navigation.
The GDS101 displays echo-sounder graphics continuously together with navigational information. External connections are provided for equipment such as printers, VGA displays and NMEA input/output.
The system was developed for ships requiring a dedicated navigation echo sounder and provides alarm, memory and historical-depth functions in addition to real-time depth measurement. Published technical information specifies a 10.4-inch color LCD and selectable transducer arrangements at 38, 50 or 200 kHz.
The SKIPPER GDS-101 sends an ultrasonic pulse from a hull-mounted transducer toward the seabed. The transmitted signal reflects from the bottom and returns to the transducer. The echo sounder calculates the elapsed travel time and converts it into a depth measurement.
For navigators, this provides an independent indication of water depth beneath the ship, particularly valuable during:
• Port entry and departure
• Shallow-water navigation
• Coastal passages
• River and channel navigation
• Anchorage operations
• Under-keel clearance monitoring
• High-resolution 10.4-inch color LCD
• Continuous graphical seabed presentation
• Large digital depth indication
• Day and night display modes
• 38, 50 and 200 kHz transducer options
• Depth alarm functions
• Gain and TVG adjustment
• NMEA 0183 interface
• External printer connection
• VGA output
• Analog outputs
• Historical depth-data memory
• Different depth-range selections
• Suitable for IMO navigation echo-sounder installations
| Specification | SKIPPER GDS-101 |
|---|---|
| Equipment Type | Navigation Echo Sounder |
| Display | 10.4-inch Color LCD |
| Transducer Frequencies | 38 / 50 / 200 kHz options |
| Standard Transducer Connections | Three documented connections |
| Data Interface | NMEA 0183 |
| External Display | VGA output |
| AC Power Supply | 115–230 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| DC Supply | 20–32 VDC |
| Depth History | Up to 24-hour continuous history documented |
| Alarm Functions | Depth / navigation alarm functions |
| Manufacturer | SKIPPER Electronics AS |
| Origin | Norway |
The available GDS101 documentation states that three transducer connections are provided as standard for resonant frequencies of 38, 50 and 200 kHz, although only the selected transducer is displayed at a given time.
The front operator unit contains the LCD, operating keys, controls, electronic processing and navigation display interface.
The transducer is installed in the vessel's hull and performs the acoustic transmission and reception required for depth measurement.
SKIPPER still lists 200 kHz navigation transducers approved for its echo-sounder systems and describes a typical depth range of approximately 200–400 m, depending on water and seabed conditions.
The GDS101 accepts the documented AC or DC shipboard power supply and provides power to the internal electronics.
Internal electronic assemblies handle transmitted pulses, echo reception, depth calculation, display generation, alarms and external communications.
Depending on installation, connections may include:
• NMEA input/output
• VGA output
• Printer interface
• Analog output
• Alarm output
• Transducer cables
The SKIPPER GDS-101 is suitable for many commercial vessel categories, including:
• Cargo Ships
• Bulk Carriers
• Container Vessels
• Oil Tankers
• Chemical Tankers
• Offshore Vessels
• Passenger Ships
• General Cargo Vessels
• Fishing Vessels
• Tugboats
Its primary function is navigation safety rather than fish finding. The unit continuously provides bridge personnel with water-depth information beneath the vessel.
Check AC/DC input power, breaker or fuse condition, terminals, cables and internal power-supply condition. If ship's supply reaches the unit but the GDS101 remains dead, internal power-supply or PCB testing may be required.
Possible causes include:
• Transducer malfunction
• Damaged transducer cable
• Wrong transducer/frequency selection
• Poor transducer connection
• Incorrect range or gain setting
• Transceiver electronic fault
A LOST BOTTOM indication, like the status visible on the supplied GDS101 photograph, generally means that the instrument is not maintaining a reliable seabed echo.
Technicians should inspect:
• Transducer condition
• Cable and connectors
• Gain setting
• TVG setting
• Selected frequency
• Water depth and operating range
• Acoustic interference
• Hull installation condition
• Transceiver performance
The exact troubleshooting procedure should follow the relevant GDS101 manual/software revision.
Check transducer installation, draft/offset configuration, sound-speed-related settings where applicable, gain, TVG and electrical/acoustic interference.
Possible reasons include marine growth on the transducer, aerated water beneath the hull, rough weather, deep water, inappropriate frequency, insufficient gain or degraded transducer performance.
Check communication wiring, polarity, connector terminals, configured data settings and the external navigation equipment supplying or receiving information.
The photograph itself displays “not ready PRINT”, showing the system's printer-status monitoring. Check whether the printer is installed and powered, then verify cable connection and printer configuration before suspecting an internal GDS101 interface fault.
The GDS101 includes configurable alarm functions. Technical documentation and the operator interface show depth alarm capabilities.
A clearly visible operational message on the supplied unit is:
LOST BOTTOM
This is particularly important because it indicates loss of reliable seabed tracking. Exact alarm messages and software-specific troubleshooting should be confirmed from the relevant operator manual rather than using unverified alarm codes.
• Keep the display and control panel clean and dry.
• Inspect the power supply and grounding periodically.
• Check transducer cables and connectors for corrosion or physical damage.
• Inspect the transducer during dry docking.
• Remove marine growth from the transducer surface carefully.
• Confirm correct draft and alarm settings.
• Test shallow and deep alarms periodically.
• Confirm the displayed depth against known water depth when practical.
• Inspect NMEA and printer interfaces during maintenance.
• Avoid replacing PCB assemblies until the power supply, transducer and cabling have been checked.
SM MARINE SERVICE™ can support sourcing of SKIPPER GDS-101 Echo Sounder complete units and spare parts, subject to exact configuration and stock availability.
Typical requirements include:
• GDS101 complete echo sounder
• GDS101 display / operator unit
• LCD display
• Main PCB
• Processor / electronic boards
• Power supply board
• Transmitter / receiver electronics
• 38 kHz transducer
• 50 kHz transducer
• 200 kHz transducer
• Transducer cable
• Junction / connection equipment
• NMEA interface components
• Alarm components
• Control keys and front-panel parts
• Cables and connectors
• Internal electronic components
New, used, refurbished, reconditioned and tested-working SKIPPER equipment can be sourced depending on availability.
For accurate replacement matching, buyers should provide the GDS101 nameplate photograph, serial number, software version, transducer frequency and photographs of the existing equipment.
SKIPPER currently offers newer ESN-series navigation echo sounders. Importantly, the manufacturer specifically provides a retrofit plate for GDS101/GDS102 installations, enabling newer 9-inch touch displays to fit existing GDS101/GDS102 cut-outs.
The current SKIPPER ESN100 is a single-channel navigation echo sounder, while ESN200 is a dual-frequency model. These may be relevant when a complete modernization is preferred instead of repairing an older GDS101.
However, replacement compatibility should always be checked against the existing transducer, bridge cut-out, cabling and classification requirements.
Many vessels continue operating GDS101 systems because they are robust, straightforward and already integrated with the ship's bridge installation.
Another major advantage is that SKIPPER continues to support the installed base indirectly through current navigation echo-sounder products and a dedicated retrofit plate for GDS101/GDS102 installations.
For many ship owners, replacing a failed display, PCB or transducer can therefore be economically attractive compared with immediate modification of the entire depth-sounding installation.
The GDS-101 is a marine navigation echo sounder used to continuously measure and display water depth beneath a vessel.
The manufacturer is SKIPPER Electronics AS, Norway.
The documented standard choices are 38 kHz, 50 kHz and 200 kHz.
SM MARINE SERVICE™ can assist with sourcing complete GDS101 units and associated spare parts depending on availability.
Yes. Used, refurbished, reconditioned and tested-working equipment may be sourced depending on current stock.
38, 50 and 200 kHz transducer requirements can be sourced subject to model, installation and stock availability.
It means reliable bottom tracking has been lost. The transducer, cable, gain, TVG, frequency, operating depth and transceiver should be investigated.
SKIPPER's newer ESN-series echo sounders are relevant modernization options, and the manufacturer offers a retrofit plate specifically intended for GDS101/GDS102 cut-outs.
Archived GDS101 operator and installation manuals remain publicly available through SKIPPER's documentation resources.
Yes. Worldwide sourcing and shipment of complete equipment and spare parts can be supported subject to stock and destination.
SKIPPER GDS-101 Navigation Echo Sounder is a Norwegian marine depth-measuring system with a 10.4-inch color display, depth alarms, NMEA interface and 38/50/200 kHz transducer options. SM MARINE SERVICE™ can support worldwide sourcing of GDS101 complete units, displays, PCBs, power supplies, transducers and related spare parts in new, used, refurbished, reconditioned and tested-working condition, subject to availability.
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