Each player picks up their sonar beam. Then, beginning with the first player and proceeding in player order, they place it on a sonar board dividing line, such that they divide the board up into equal segments.
Note that the player last in player order will not get a choice of where to place their beam.
At 2 players, your segment of the sonar board consists of the 3 sections clockwise from your beam. At 3 or 4 players, your segment of the sonar board consists of the 2 sections clockwise from your beam.