JURA, a research vessel launched from Oban, has carried out a world-first scientific mission in recovering scientific data from a sensor located 1800 metres deep in the Rockall Trough.
Developed by the Oban-based Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and built by UK firm AutoNaut, the wave-powered uncrewed surface vessel (USV) remotely collected data from French undersea pressure sensors, then sent it to shore by satellite.
Prof Mark Inall, an oceanographer at SAMS, said: “We believe it is the first example of through-water communications of ocean climate research data to an autonomous vehicle, and instant transmission of data to shore.
“It has never been more important to have accurate and up-to-date measurements about what is happening in our ocean, which is undergoing major and rapid changes in the face of climate change.
"This mission feels like a major milestone for oceanography as it opens up a new way of collecting more data, more regularly, which is key to improving climate predictions and helping us to prepare for what the future may hold.”
The Rockall sensor, along with its twin in the Labrador Sea off Canada's eastern coast, help scientists to track shifts in ocean currents by detecting increases in pressure caused by small changes in sea level.
Before the mission, researchers expected that data collection from the sensors would have to be done by manned ships during the instruments' entire ten year lifespan, costing significant sums and adding to carbon emissions.
Mike Poole, founding director of AutoNaut, said: “This is the first time in the 10 years of AutoNaut’s experience we have been asked can we get zero carbon data, not the cheapest data. It is a practical and positive response to climate change.
“As wave propelled USVs that are self-righting in the event of capsize, AutoNauts are well suited to very long endurance missions in the open ocean. Importantly, this will probably become much cheaper than sending manned, diesel-fuelled ships.”
The mission was part of the Future Marine Research Infrastructure (FMRI) programme, funded by UK Research and Innovation.
Leigh Storey, senior responsible owner for FMRI, welcomed the successful result, saying: “As we carefully consider what the UK’s future marine research infrastructure needs to include to enable frontier science, the innovative use of new technology and the adoption of novel scientific techniques demonstrated here is hugely important.”
