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Seaglider Deployment Checklist

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Mission:  ________________________________   Seaglider ID:  _____________

Field team:  ________________________   Pilot:  ____________________   Date:  __________

Source

Paraphrased from community Seaglider deployment checklists and the APL-UW IOP launch guidance. Adapt to your vessel, glider configuration, and local procedures.

1. Field kit

  • Release hooks, carabiners, shackles, slings, tag lines
  • Cradle
  • Glider spares if available  wings, rudder, antenna
  • Magnetic switch wand(s)
  • Laptop + RS-232-to-USB converter(s) + glider serial/power cable + power supply
  • Glider tool box
  • Binoculars and camera
  • PPE  life jackets, helmet, safety glasses, steel-cap boots, gloves, weather gear
  • VHF radios and Iridium phone

2. Conditions & readiness

  • Launch conditions within limits  guideline: < 1.5 m waves, < ~0.25 kt (12 cm/s) surface current, > 200 m water depth
  • Basestation ready to receive; pilot logged in and reachable
  • Glider assembled and powered on well before launch; on standby in recovery mode during transit

3. Self-test & pilot sign-off

  • Field team: all cables and connectors secure
  • Field team: run interactive self-test, watching for errors; keep a terminal log
  • Pilot: analyze the self-test capture on the basestation; complete self-test log
  • Pilot: approve entering Sea Launch mode
  • Field team: enter Sea Launch, start a new terminal log
  • Double-check the Iridium phone numbers
  • Antenna fully tightened; O-ring present in the antenna connector
  • Pilot: stage a cmdfile for a shallow first dive ending in $QUIT
  • Field team: wait at the "Has the pilot given ok to launch?" prompt
  • Pilot: review the uploaded .prm parameter dump closely; make any last changes in the cmdfile; give the OK
  • Field team: answer Y — watch the bladder pump to full, the glider complete one call, and the $QUIT come through
  • Disconnect comms cable; install the dummy plug

4. At the launch site

  • Install wings and rudder; assemble antenna
  • Remove sensor caps
  • Attach safety line/tether; request pilot permission to deploy
  • Lower the glider  large vessel: sling + release hook on winch, extra line around the rudder; small boat: lower the cradle and free the glider by the antenna mast
  • Push the glider down by the antenna mast to shed trapped bubbles
  • Confirm floating position: antenna and at least half the rudder out of the water
  • Report attitude and buoyancy to the pilot  add foam or lead if trim is off
  • Pilot: if calls are coming through and trim looks right, instruct tether release, then send $RESUME
  • Field team: confirm the glider has submerged and is diving

5. First dives

  • Pilot: replace $RESUME with $QUIT as soon as the dive starts  so an unexpected surfacing parks the glider
  • Field team: stay on site through the first shallow dive (~20 min) and until cleared
  • Pilot: review dive 1, then step deeper dive-by-dive, trimming each time, until confident the glider flies reliably
  • Pilot: clear the field team to leave

Notes:

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