Profiling systems powered by wave energy, such as the Del Mar Wirewalker and McLane Prawler, hold the promise of detailed spatial resolution in the water column with less power consumption than prior systems, as well as the benefits of reduced upfront capital investment and operating expenditure per deployment due to a single sensor package. However, guidelines for configuring and operating these systems are still immature. This study answers key questions for potential users, including mooring configuration selection, knowledge of failure modes and operational guidelines for efficient use.
A Wirewalker and a Prawler were moored in four locations to develop best-practice guidelines for potential operators, with depths ranging from 100m to 500m. Mooring configurations were mostly taut bungee systems intended to reduce mooring line sway. Deployments were around Myrmidon Reef and Storm Bay.
The key findings of this study focus on:
• Understanding how buoyancy and direction switching affects system configuration and operation
• Failure modes
• Biofouling presence
• Configuring near-real time communications
The study showed that profiling systems have the potential to become more dependable with increased uptake, as most issues were related to new operator learnings and immature guidelines, rather than fundamental issues with the technology.