Ever wonder how scientists recover instruments that are fixed to the seafloor? This device is called an acoustic release and it was attached to the acoustic echosounder deployed during the Coordinated Simultaneous Physical-Biological Sampling Using ADCP-Equipped Ocean Gliders expedition. To do this, scientists aboard a research vessel will send an acoustic signal to the release, letting it know that it is time to detach. Once this signal is received, this acoustic release will detach from the weight that is keeping the system moored to the seafloor, sending the whole system flying to the water’s surface.
Acoustic Release Technology
Image courtesy of Coordinated Simultaneous Physical-Biological Sampling Using ADCP-Equipped Ocean Gliders. Download largest version (jpg, 2.7 MB).

Ever wonder how scientists recover instruments that are fixed to the seafloor? This device is called an acoustic release and it was attached to the acoustic echosounder deployed during the Coordinated Simultaneous Physical-Biological Sampling Using ADCP-Equipped Ocean Gliders expedition. To do this, scientists aboard a research vessel will send an acoustic signal to the release, letting it know that it is time to detach. Once this signal is received, this acoustic release will detach from the weight that is keeping the system moored to the seafloor, sending the whole system flying to the water’s surface.