Pioneer 22

Ever wonder why the Pioneer Array moorings are replaced—or “turned”—every six months? One of the main reasons is biofouling. Over time, marine organisms such as algae, barnacles, and other sea life attach themselves to any surface submerged in the ocean. While this growth is a natural process, it can start to interfere with instrument performance…

The Shallow Water Mooring was specifically designed for the Pioneer Mid-Atlantic Bight Array, enabling detailed sampling of the water column to within just a few meters of the ocean surface in depths of 20–30 meters. At the heart of this system is an autonomous profiling vehicle known as a Prawler. Powered by the natural motion…

As part of the Pioneer Fall Turn cruise, the team will deploy two Coastal Profiler Moorings in waters about 100 meters deep. These moorings are designed to capture a detailed view of the changing conditions throughout the water column. Each mooring features an autonomous profiler vehicle that travels up and down the mooring’s riser wire,…