The MMP is a McLane instrument that autonomously profiles the water column in a time-series along a fixed tether. Profiling depth, time intervals and pressure stops are user-defined, and profiling patterns can span specific seasons or timeframes.
The HOT team reported that deployment went very smoothly, and the profiler profiled and communicated inductively as expected. The HOT profiler docked and charged inductively from a sphere filled with battery packs, topping off its batteries as expected. It then left the charging dock with a full battery pack and continued its profiles.
The APL team expects the system to profile until December, when it will be retrieved. The team hopes the MMP’s longevity will be extended by the charging technology. The system of battery spheres and communication buoys allow the system to be used anywhere, not just at a cabled node.
