Meeting Notes - National Oceanography Centre

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The importance of fundamental observation was emphasised in further slides. An ideal scenario would for example to be able to undertake WOCE all day every day. Although fixed moorings can provide a continuous time series, they are limited to single point data. Can these moorings become ‘mobile’ We want to be able to monitor marine protected areas autonomously and undertake seafloor and habitat mapping at high resolution and in areas that may be difficult to access. Applications will include undertaking multi-trophic level surveys – e.g. fish larvae and continuous under ice monitoring. There is increasing need to be able to complete subsea site investigation, for example, pipeline surveys, seafloor fluid monitoring and accident investigation. Our community needs joined up observation networks that communicate and interact. To start the discussion several questions were posed: Where might autonomous systems transform our science Should systems come off our ships Is this the best way forward If so, how do we migrate off ships and use new systems NERC is about to invest capital for observing systems. Our community should provide input into the design of experiments that can utilise these investments. Can investment in autonomous systems alleviate the dependence on ships in the longer term If so the community needs to produce a roadmap. Geraint West (NOC) advised that there is a paper in production as a business case for autonomous vehicles and NOC wants to widen out discussion, make existing facilities more robust, with two year funding as a precursor to the 10 year strategy. Autonomous vehicles are moving to autonomous systems – this is big science for more than one discipline. Discussion Bernie McConnell, SMRU explained that satellite technology is used to monitor marine mammals. This technology could be used in conjunction with marine mammals as active sensors to measure e.g. fish stocks. Tim Jickells (East Anglia) noted that the community cannot second guess what we may want to measure so will need to use lot of sensors packaged in different ways on different platforms. Gliders are rather inflexible to future development as they are currently made so we will need to think differently. Autosub is a big vehicle that can carry development instruments. We need to think about the overall package – both the payload and adaptability. Geraint added that a key element is power consumption, power budgeting and management that contributes to its longevity - the issues are not just about miniaturisation. The batteries used by Autosub can last between 60 and 70 hours, maybe even up to a week. Autosub Long Range technology fills a niche between Autosub6000 and gliders. A large vehicle that can take a significant payload, the Long Range will optimise the approach between a glider and an AUV. The motor industry does a lot of development work on batteries and NOC is looking to collaborate with a UK company to enhance battery power, for example, on lithium chloride batteries for rechargeable cars. We're probably around five years away in terms of getting the power we are ultimately hoping to achieve. Henry Ruhl (NOC) advised about the ability to park the Long-Range AUVs on seafloor enhancing its power efficiency. David Marshall commented that physical oceanography will always need ships because ARGO is confined to the upper 2 km. This is an international issue; the roadmap should be scoped in 4
international context. Ed agreed to this point, particularly in relation to gliders. There is a need to get international engagement and bring in key players, especially from the US. Patricia Almado-Villela (MMO) asked about building up the community. For example, involving Defra, DECC, Marine Scotland in enhancing partnerships with developers to help deal with issues. A funding partnership could look at how to bring together seabed habitat mapping, existing industry infrastructure and vessels that serve the platforms. MILG is looking at possibilities. Steve de Mora (PML) expressed concerns on replacing mooring sites; users such as the Met Office depend on the fixed point nature of the sites. Ed commented that this is not a panacea and sometimes we do need fixed point measurements, however, it may be possible to interrogate data from moorings differently; currently we are dependent on surface buoys to transmit data but perhaps we could replace these with subsea moorings and use wave gliders to interrogate them. Alternatively, could we replace moorings altogether Perhaps it might be possible to try these systems in parallel with autonomous systems, for example, repeat hydrography on the extended Ellett line. At the moment, we cover this area by ship every three years – a glider might be able to do this every day. The PAP long term deep-sea observatory is part of international EuroSites network - could all of this be replaced with autonomous systems We need to ensure that the roadmap matches our needs. It can involve radical thinking on a 10 year timescale. Mark Inall said that it would be important to monitor where observations will have most impact – at the moment, fixed moorings can’t achieve this. We need to have a system that will make the best improvement in modelling and forecasting. Stuart Rogers (Cefas) raised the issue of implementation of European Directives and the problems to be addressed in European or regional seas. Which of the 11 MSFD descriptors can be done autonomously Russell Wynn (NOC) advised that for the new FP7 programme DEVOTES project, there is a suite of technologies that might be used for MSFD. There is an MSCC/UK-IMON workshop in September on this issue: Dates are 10-12 September 2013 at NOC in Southampton. A question was raised about the role of instruments in biology and chemistry applications – the ongoing need to collect water samples. Colin Brownlee (MBA) explained that there are many biological and optical probes for biological processes. There needs to be a synthesis of what they can do – flow cytometry, micro sensors, acoustic sensors – these are all possible. Cameras used on Autosub can produce high resolution images of the seabed which can be assembled into mosaics of images of the deep ocean and shelf. Autosub can collect data comparable with that taken from ships, for example, photos of habitat that are repeatable. As part of Dr Wynn’s role as Chief Scientist of MARS he intends to produce a brochure of the capabilities and capacity of vehicles and include case studies where we are pushing the boundaries in using this technology. Steve Hall (NOC) noted that although development of technology is fast, it is important to always address the related policy and legal issues, insurance, flag of registration etc, going into other EEZs etc. John Bull (Southampton) noted that EPSRC is doing a lot of work on autonomy and robotics. Are NERC and EPSRC linked up in regard to this Ed responded yes there have been discussions; the funding anticipated for new autonomous vehicles is within an ESPRC coordinated bid. Geraint West added that Herriot Watt is coordinating a special interest group and there is a new initiative with the Marine Industries Leadership Council. 5
Page 1 and 2: NOC Association meeting 26 February
Page 3: funding; however, the Councils want
Page 7 and 8: Bernie asked about data processing,

Meeting Notes - National Oceanography Centre

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