Prawler - Wave-Actuated Vehicle

The Prawler (PRofiling crAWLER) is a low-cost, wave-actuated vehicle that moves along the mooring wire, collecting data from the surface to 500m of the water column. Data can include conductivity, temperature, depth (CTD), optical backscatter, and dissolved oxygen. Wave motion and special ratcheting clamps move the vehicle up the wire. The Prawler free-falls to the bottom of the user programmed profiling range, collecting data measurements. Wave oscillation powers vehicle movement. Sensors are powered by primary lithium batteries.