Masterclass in AUV technology for polar science : collaborative autosub science in extreme environments : proceedings of the International Masterclass, 28-30 March 2006, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK

146 pages : colour illustrations ; 22 cm + 1 CD-ROM. Maritime polar environments are some of the most challenging areas on earth. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) offer tremendous potential as one solution to cost–effective data–gathering for science and industry in these inhospitable areas. The International Polar Year 2007–2009 provides a particular focus for science. In preparation for an upsurge in the use of AUVs for polar research, this Masterclass –organised by, and held at, the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council –brought together an international group of engineers and scientists to assess current performance and future requirements. The contributed papers provide both a resource for new AUV users and critical analyses of what remains to be achieved if, after the International PolarYear, AUVs are to be a lasting legacy as observers of the polar oceans. Contents: Why polar marine science is important / Peter Wadhams -- Research and development of past, present and future autonomous underwater vehicle technologies / Ikuo Yamamoto -- Autosub operations in the Arctic and the Antarctic / Stephen McPhail -- Sensors and instrument requirements for autonomous underwater vehicles / Daniel Hayes, Timothy Boyd and Mark Patterson -- Communications / D. Richard Blidberg -- Future technologies and requirements / Nils Størkersen -- Autonomous underwater vehicle operations : needs of new users / Neil Bose, Daniel Hayes and Gwyn Griffiths -- Launch and recovery of autonomous underwater vehicles in polar regions / Peter Stevensen -- Autonomy and collision avoidance / Miles Pebody -- 'When things go horribly wrong' / James Ferguson -- Towards a risk management process for autonomous underwater vehicles / Gwyn Griffiths and Art Trembanis -- Future autonomous underwater vehicle campaigns and missions / Jeremy Wilkinson -- Autonomous underwater vehicle navigation and proximity operations for Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer (DEPTHX) / William Stone, Nathaniel Fairfield and George Kantor -- Political/economic drivers : potential for AUV technologies in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (Abstract) / Lindsay Parson and Rosemary Edwards -- Theseus on ice operations (Abstract) / David Hopkin -- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's AUV experience (Abstract) / Hans Thomas -- Operational feedbacks and innovations for the AsterX AUV and Victor 6000 ROV (Abstract) / Vincent Rigaud. …