AUV deployed in study of environmental conditions on Tasmania’s west coast
AMC Search Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) the Remus 100 has been deployed in Macquarie Harbour to assist research on oxygen dynamics and the interactions with salmon farming.
December 19, 2018
Following observed declines in dissolved oxygen levels in Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) has been leading a study monitoring the health of the harbour and the factors affecting oxygen levels.
The Remus 100 was commissioned by IMAS to map and measure the dissolved oxygen levels in different sections of the water column over two days between December 4 – 7, 2018.
The Remus performed without fault operating in difficult conditions due to a strong halocline (rapidly changing salinity levels), with surface salinity of around 5ppt and bottom water salinity of around 30ppt.
Rowan Frost, AMC Search Engineer said “we ran over 50km of transect’s within the harbour and operating in such conditions was a major test for the Remus 100, but it performed beyond expectations and demonstrates to our maritime industry and research stakeholders that our AUV capability is an incredibly valuable tool to use in underwater environmental impact research”.
For more information on the Remus 100 click here, or to find out how it might be of use in your project, contact Rowan Frost at AMC Search
The IMAS study is funded by the Australian Government’s Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Tasmanian Government, and Tasmanian Salmon aquaculture companies.