Gliders

The Marine Institute operates two 1000m rated Teledyne Webb Slocum G3 gliders, Laochra na Mara and Aisling na Mara. The gliders are part of EirOOS – the Irish Ocean Observing System which is a component of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS). 

The gliders are available to the user community for oceanographic surveys and can be operated from the RV Tom Crean and the RV Celtic Explorer, they may also be operated from other appropriate vessels, subject to approval. The gliders are capable of operating for 90 days autonomously whilst collecting CTD profiles and other data to maximum depths of 1000m.

For further information on glider availability, operations, logistics and user access rates please contact the Marine Institute glider team. Grant-aid may be available through the ship time call.

 

Glider Launch

 Glider being deployed from the RV Celtic Voyager

Slocum G3 General Specifications

Deployment:  Versatile, deployment with 1-2 people. LARS options available.

Power:  Alkaline (A) / Rechargeable (Li) / Lithium (L)

Range:  350-1200km/ 700-3000km/ 3000-13000km

Deployment Length: 15-50 days/ 1-4 months/ 4-18 months

Depth Options:  (4 to 150m) or (40 to 1000m) operating depth range*

Navigation:  GPS, Pressure Sensor, Altimeter, Dead Reckoning

Communication:  RF Modem, Iridium (RUDICS), ARGOS, Acoustic Modem

Horizontal Speed:  Buoyancy Engine: 0.35 m/s (0.68 knot) Average, up to 0.5 m/s (1 knots) with full drive. Thruster: Up to 1 m/s (2 knots)

Mass:  55 - 70kgs (dependent upon configuration)

Dimensions:  Vehicle Length: 1.5 meters; Hull Diameter 22 cm

Sensor Package:  CTD, Fluorescence / Turbulence Sensor, Dissolved Oxygen Sensor

 * Modular buoyancy engine dependent

Note: Endurance and range dependent on sensors and sampling frequency, energy source and communications.
Copyright Teledyne Webb Research.

 

Gliders Locations Google Earth

Google Earth image showing the locations of the EirOOS gliders, Aisling na Mara and Laochra na Mara, in June 2020.  Also shown is the SeaMonitor glider which is part of, and funded by, the EU Interreg SeaMonitor project.  SeaMonitor is a unique marine research project studying the seas around Ireland, Western Scotland and Northern Ireland.  The project is led by the Loughs Agency and supported by another eight leading marine research institutions (including the Marine Institute) using innovative marine species tracking technology to better understand and protect vulnerable marine life in our oceans.  More information can be found here.

 

SFI Logo The gliders, Laochra na Mara and Aisling na Mara, have been funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) as part of an SFI Research Infrastructure Award under Grant number 18/RI/5731. The gliders are part of EirOOS - the Irish Ocean Observing System: A component of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS).