Autonomous vehicles are an important component of OOI, extending the reach of fixed observing platforms and providing essential spatial context for ocean data.
At the Pioneer Array, gliders operate almost continuously, each with an endurance of about 90 days. These vehicles follow planned sampling lines, moving through the water to connect the fixed mooring sites and fill in the spatial gaps between them.
In addition to gliders, Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (AUVs) are deployed in campaign mode – typically during the Fall and Spring Pioneer cruises. The AUVs survey both across the continental shelf and along its edge, collecting high-resolution seasonal data that complement the continuous observations from gliders and moorings.
Together, these autonomous systems provide a comprehensive view of the Mid-Atlantic Bight, capturing the complex physical, chemical, and biological processes that drive coastal ocean dynamics.
Photo Credit: Rebecca Travis, WHOI
Photo Credit: Rebecca Travis, WHOI
Photo Credit: Rebecca Travis, WHOI
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