Surface to Seafloor: Deploying an OOI Surface Mooring
The process of deploying a surface mooring is a precise operation that starts at the ocean’s surface and ends 2,700 meters below on the seafloor. Two new videos from the R/V Revelle capture key moments in this deployment process.
Part 1: Buoy Deployment
The surface buoy is towed slowly behind the ship, trailing more than 3 kilometers. This gradual release ensures the mooring line pays out properly and remains vertical in the water column once anchored. Getting the spacing and timing right at this stage is critical to the mooring’s long-term stability and performance.
Part 2: Anchor Release and Descent
With the buoy and mooring line in position, the anchor is released. It begins a 2,700-meter free fall to the seafloor, where it will secure the entire system in place. Once settled, the mooring is ready to support instruments that gather continuous ocean data