Development of advanced instrumentation for operational oceanography

Operational oceanography is an applied science requiring new instrumentation to perform cost effective surveys. The use of XBT probes from Voluntary Observing Ships is a good way to obtain temperature profiles, but it is limited by the cost of the probes and of the operators on board. An automatic multiple XBT launcher was developed, to work unattended and be recharged by a crew member, without the need for a technician.