LANDERPICK – Development of a remote system for launching and collecting multiparametric underwater observatories
Pleamar program
Description
Benthic ecosystems are located on the continental shelf and slope, many of them systematically exploited as fishery resources and, therefore, seriously damaged by the fishing methods used in the last century. The rapid deterioration in the state of many fisheries urges the development of sustainable management models, which demand sound scientific knowledge that takes into account the interaction of all components of marine ecosystems with each other and with environmental conditions. To improve this knowledge, it is essential to have the means to carry out continuous monitoring over time.
The LanderPick project aims to design a system for launching and collecting oceanographic landers – modular systems that rest on the bottom operating autonomously for a defined time and are equipped with various sensor systems (multi-parameter platform) – transporting them as cargo in a remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV; Remotely Operated Towed Vehicle) for continuous monitoring that allows us to understand its evolution on different time scales, according to the evolution of the environmental variables themselves.
In this way, it is feasible to design monitoring systems based on the simultaneous deployment of several lightweight and low-cost landers . The project seeks to operate relatively small and inexpensive landers , which do not incorporate active recovery systems based on acoustic releases, at great depth. If the system is successful, then it is feasible, on the one hand, to design monitoring systems based on the simultaneous deployment of several landers at a low cost and, on the other hand, experiments associated with deep habitats such as coral reefs where it is necessary to locate landers with great precision.
Line of action:
Marine ecosystemsStatus:
FinalizadoExecution date:
2019General:
Design, build and test a remotely operated vehicle for the launch and collection of small underwater multi-parameter observatories (landers) equipped with capture mesh.
Specific:
1. Design and manufacture of the LanderPick.
2. Design and manufacture of small landers and hook.
3. Sea tests of the operation of the system.
A1 “Design and manufacture of LanderPick. This activity consists of designing and manufacturing the LanderPick vehicle for launching and collecting multiparametric underwater observatories (landers).
A2 “Manufacture of Landers and Pick-up Hook Manufacture of 2 landers suitable for the LanderPick in parallel to the manufacture of the LanderPick.”
A3 “System testing campaign at sea. Launch and collection test campaign of the system, starting from levels below 40 meters, accessible to diving, to progressively increase to great depths.”
A4 “Deployment of a group of instrumented landers in a marine protected area. DISCARDED AFTER BUDGET CUTS It will consist of the launch of four landers, already with a view to obtaining observations of scientific interest, either in the area of El Cachucho or in the Avilés canyon system.”
A5 “Reports and Dissemination Writing of reports and dissemination activities according to the results obtained.”
The LanderPick project has involved the implementation of the design of an underwater vehicle for the launching and collection of oceanographic landers , of small size and that do not have their own recovery elements, but do have a structure that facilitates their hooking (capture mesh). It has thus been possible to demonstrate that it is possible to launch and recover light landers with precision and in an agile and economical way. The LanderPick vehicle is technically a ROTV (remotely operated towed vehicle) based on the positioning and navigation principles of the ROTV Politolana developed at the IEO.
First, the design and construction of a first prototype of a LanderPick vehicle was developed, to later build two landers for different types of bottom, a conical one, suitable for locations where trawling is carried out, and a cylindrical one, for areas free of these fishing gears. These actions included the development of a manual for the use of the landerpick. Likewise, tests of the system were carried out on board an oceanographic vessel (PhotoMare and Ecomarg2021 campaign. This last campaign allowed a satisfactory use of the system in real conditions in marine protected areas).
In the last phase of the project, outreach work was reinforced, including the editing of a demonstration video and participation in an international MarTech technology congress.
The viability of the system has been demonstrated, opening very interesting expectations within the framework of the continuation of the project with LanderPick2 and the collaboration with ACTION C.2 of the LIFE Intemares Project: “Pilot projects for monitoring marine species and habitats through the use of new technologies”.
LANDERPICK – Development of a remote system for launching and collecting multiparametric underwater observatories
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