The paper presents the results of experimental studies of fluctuations in echo signals from maritime vessels under conditions of near echo ranging with continuous targeted emission and reception at a frequency of 80 kHz. Data have been obtained on the fluctuation intensity, distribution functions, spectra, and time coherency fluctuations of echo signals at various vessel velocities for different reflecting and scattering areas of vessel hulls, different areas of the scattering layer of air bubbles formed at the hull of a moving vessel, and the cloud of air bubbles remaining behind the stern after a vessel has passed.
