Abstract: The paper contains the results, both theoretical and experimental, connected with the tracking of an underwater noise source as small ship, pontoon, diver, etc. The problem of security in the shallow water region is a challenge for underwater acousticians. In this paper, the detection of the sources that move on the surface of the sea or underwater in shallow and very shallow water is considered. The main goal concerns characterization of sound propagation in a shallow water channel. The next problem is formulation of the sound propagation inside such an acoustic duct, including normal mode creations and dispersion of acoustic energy. When we consider the noise of a small ship, two main sources are analyzed. The first is the vibration energy produced by mechanisms located inside of the ship hull. The acoustical energy is transferred through structural elements of the hull to surrounding water. This energy propagates as broadband underwater noise. The second source is the ship propeller. The sources of the underwater noise augment the total acoustical energy, specifically the ambient noise. The problem that should be solved is to discover, identify, classify and track these acoustical disturbances.