Video
UK MET VOS Deployment; MPEG 2.261K
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Air Deployment; AVI - 8.341K (Video Credit: Dr. H. Freeland, IOS, BC Canada)
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APEX
(Autonomous Profiling Explorer)
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APEX is a autonomous drifting profiler used to measure subsurface currents and make profile measurements. It surfaces at programmed intervals for data telemetry and geo-location via ARGOS or IRIDIUM satellite.
Standard sensors include TP and Salinity; other sensor options are available (see below).
APEX has a 4-year life and can surface approximately 150 times from a maximum depth of 2000 meters. Over 4000 APEX floats have been delivered to users in 19 nations. Floats are provided deployment-ready, and are routinely deployed from merchant ships (VOS) while moving at 20+ knots. The APEX salinity profiler has been certified by US Dept. of Defense for air deployment from C130 aircraft.
Customer Stories
- Dimensions: 16.5 cm in diameter x 130 cm long (not incl. 70 cm antenna)
- Mass: 26 kg
- Autonomy nominal: 4 years, 150 ascents
- Operating depth: 2000 meters maximum, programmable. Typically 100 TP or 50 CTP points at 5-10 m.
- Profile sample rate: interval resolution limited by telemetry data rate rather than APEX design
APEX, like its predecessor ALACE, is an autonomous drifting profiler used to measure subsurface currents and make profile measurements. It surfaces at programmed intervals for data telemetry and geo-location via ARGOS satellite.
Standard sensors include TP and Salinity; other sensor options are available.
APEX has a nominal 4-year life (though at least one has lasted more than seven years) and is designed to surface approximately 150 times from a maximum depth of 2000 meters. APEX is field proven. Nearly 4000 APEX floats have been delivered to users in 19 nations. Recent field data are available from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean, Japan, Red, and South China Seas. Including APEX and ALACE, Webb Research has shipped over 5000 floats.
APEX automatically adjusts buoyancy to follow an isobaric surface while drifting, or can be programmed to follow an isopycnal surface.
The optional "park and profile" feature, in use since March 2000, allows drift depth to be de-coupled from maximum profile depth. For example, a float might be programmed to drift at 1000 db, then descend to 2000 db before profiling upward to the surface.
Floats are provided deployment-ready, and are routinely deployed from merchant ships (VOS) while moving at 20+ knots. The APEX salinity profiler has been certified by US Dept. of Defense for air deployment from C130 aircraft. Proven VOS and aircraft deployment packages are available options. APEX can be easily tested and re-programmed by connecting a terminal.
 Volunteer Observing Ships (VOS) or Ships
of Opportunity (SOOP)
APEX deployment from merchant vessels was pioneered by UW Seattle in 1997. Since then, UW has deployed 123 APEX profilers from merchant vessels. Other institutions experienced in this technique include: NOAA-NDBC, KMA-METRI, and the UK MET Office.
Unlike research vessels, merchant ships don't stop for science work. They commonly travel at 25 knots, and decks may be 25 m above the waterline. During launch, floats are protected from impact by a cardboard package. The package may be lowered on lines, or, in some cases, dropped from a chute, into the water. WRC can a provide a field-proven ready-to-launch package.
 C130 Aircraft Deployment
Development of air deployment was a joint effort of WRC and the US Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO). Since 1999, NAVOCEANO has regularly deployed APEX profilers from C130 aircraft.
WRC provides a ready-to-launch package complete with parachute.
Field Results:
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