Assistance required for rescuing the underwater research drone, 'Seaglider' from the ocean depths.
Lost Seaglider Drone Needs Your Help
The University of Washington's Student Seaglider Center is seeking the public's assistance in recovering a lost Seaglider drone in the Pacific Ocean.
The autonomous underwater vehicle, which weighs 55kg (120 lbs), was deployed in the equatorial Pacific in November and has been sending GPS updates for the past three months. However, it has recently deviated from its course.
Seagliders are equipped to collect data on water temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll, providing valuable insights into oceanographic conditions. This particular drone can dive up to 1000 meters and can stay at sea for months, reporting data back to scientists every time it surfaces.
The current location of the Seaglider is approximately 2000km south-east of Hawaii. If you are cruising in the area, you can help by keeping an eye out for the drone. When surfacing, the Seaglider's orange antenna will be visible.
Anyone interested in assisting with the recovery can email [email protected]. However, it's important to note that direct involvement may not be possible or safe without official directions.
To help maximise the chances of recovery, it's recommended to monitor official communications from the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory or the team responsible for the Seaglider for recovery status and requests for assistance. If the Seaglider is surfacing or washing ashore, promptly report its location to the recovery team or local maritime authorities.
It's also crucial not to attempt to recover or tamper with the drone yourself unless explicitly instructed, as it may require special handling. Providing logistical support by sharing resources for search efforts or coordinating vessels if requested could also be beneficial.
For specific guidance, it’s best to contact the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory or their official project webpage concerning the Seaglider. They will have the most up-to-date instructions on how individuals or organizations can assist in recovery operations.
Seagliders are programmed to repeatedly dive and travel underwater, making them ideal for long-term, high-resolution oceanographic studies. Let's work together to bring this valuable research tool back to its intended destination.
A map showing the location and projected route of the Seaglider drone is available for reference. The recovery team appreciates your help in this matter.
Science and technology are crucial in the ongoing efforts to recover a lost Seaglider drone, a valuable research tool for oceanographic studies. The University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory is utilizing technology to track the drone's movements and seeks the public's assistance, especially those sailing in the area, to locate the surfacing Seaglider using its orange antenna.
