Passive sonar equipped merchants

[Fincuan]

Just noticed something which is new at least to me, and hasn't been discussed much here at subsim: Every merchant in the game receives a passive sonar(Type3-M1P) in 1942-1943, and some even get a better model(Type3-M2P) later in the war. This is a stock feature, and at least TM+RSRDC retain it. If you ever get spotted by a single merchant while submerged, now you know why :)

I remember reading somewhere that some Jap merchants actually had passive sonars, but a quick googling failed to bring up anything useful. If anyone has any good sources which confirm this, feel free to post a link.

[LZ_Baker]

I've noticed it a few times.

I see no problem with having a few merchants having hydrophones but sometimes they are a little too good with them. In the Japanese system, to be a merchant sonar opperator, you had to be pretty low on the scale (or in trouble with someone)

[Sailor Steve]

I've never heard of any Japanese merchants having sonar, active or passive. On the other hand, a lot of sub-chasers of various sizes were called "xxx-Maru".

[Rockin Robbins]

Ruh, roh!!!:eek:
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/RockinRobbins13/Silent%20Hunter%204/Cruise%2014%20Formosa%20again/SH4Img2008-01-01_084150_140.jpg