Mission Planning Checklist¶

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Mission title / ID:  _____________________________________________

PI / Science Lead:  ________________________    Glider S/N:  _______________

Planned deployment date:  _______________   Planned duration:  _________

Date of this review:  _______________     Reviewer:  ___________________

1. Mission Objectives¶

• Primary science objective defined and recorded in mission plan
• Required track and/or area of operation specified
• Required sensors identified and confirmed available
• Science sampling configuration defined (depth range, yo rate, sampling interval)
• Mission duration and endurance requirements calculated
• Secondary / opportunistic objectives identified and prioritised
• Mission plan signed off by both Science Lead and Glider Logistics Lead

2. Area of Operations¶

• Operational boundary polygon defined and recorded

Tides

• Tidal range and current speeds assessed for the deployment area
• Tidal phasing considered in track design and surfacing timing
• Tidal effects on ballasting target reviewed

Shipping lanes

• Shipping lane positions identified (marinetraffic.com or equivalent)
• Track designed to minimise time in high-traffic corridors
• AIS monitoring plan confirmed for duration of mission

Recreational traffic

• Recreational boating, sailing, and water-sports activity in area assessed
• Proximity to marinas, race courses, and popular anchorages checked
• Seasonal recreational patterns considered for deployment timing

Fishing grounds

• Active fishing grounds, trawl corridors, and longline areas identified
• Local fisheries authority or fishing association contacted where relevant
• Piloting strategy for minimising bottom time in trawled areas confirmed

Bathymetry & sea floor characteristics

• Accurate bathymetry chart sourced and reviewed for the full track
• Minimum water depths along track confirmed adequate for planned dive depth
• Seamounts, pinnacles, and steep slope areas identified
• Altimeter target altitude set with appropriate margin for local seabed roughness
• Bottom sediment type noted where relevant (soft vs. hard — affects bottom-strike risk)
• Abort waypoints and emergency recovery areas identified along the track

Other hazards

• Active military exercise areas checked (NOTMARs reviewed)
• Subsea cables, pipelines, and aquaculture installations reviewed
• Marine Protected Area boundaries checked; operating conditions confirmed

3. Risk Assessment¶

• Risk assessment document written or updated for this mission
• Environmental risks identified and mitigation measures defined
• Technical risks identified (glider age, sensor reliability, battery state)
• Operational risks identified (vessel availability, personnel coverage, comms gaps)
• Insurance availability assessed and arranged if required
• List of potential emergency recovery vessels and contact points compiled
• Contingency plan documented (back-up glider, emergency recovery procedure)
• Risk assessment reviewed and signed off by Mission Lead

4. Glider & Sensor Preparation¶

• Maintenance and calibration history reviewed; any preemptive service identified
• Sensor calibration status confirmed current for all payload sensors
• Ballasting target calculated using local water density data (CTD, models, or historical records)
• Ballasting data source recorded: ___________________________________
• Previous mission notes reviewed for oddities, setting changes, or unresolved faults
• Glider labels and contact information checked / updated
• Pre-deployment lab test slot confirmed

5. Piloting & Communications Plan¶

• Piloting rota established for at least the first deployment phase
• Experienced pilot confirmed for launch and first dives
• Escalation contact list prepared and distributed to all pilots
• Missed-call protocol defined (number of missed calls before escalation)
• Communication method between pilot and field team agreed and tested
• Satellite communication tested with vehicle (link confirmed)
• Shore-side monitoring schedule documented
• Piloting alert system verified

6. Logistics¶

• Deployment vessel confirmed and booked
• Staff travel and accommodation arranged
• Equipment shipping arranged (domestic / international as applicable)
• Dangerous goods certification confirmed for lithium battery shipment
• ATA carnet prepared if applicable
• Third-party recipients of hazardous goods notified

7. Regulatory & Notifications¶

• Diplomatic clearance obtained (international deployments): ref _____________
• NOTMAR / Notice to Mariners filed: ref _____________________________
• Coastguard notification submitted: ref _____________________________
• Research permits / environmental authorisations obtained: ref ____________
• Harbour master notified (if deploying from port): ref ___________________
• All confirmation receipts archived in mission folder

8. Data & Metadata¶

• Data flow set up with regional Data Assembly Centre (DAC)
• Minimum OceanOPS metadata fields completed (programme, WMO ID, PI, deployment position, agency, sensor models, glider model, serial number)
• Metadata submitted to OceanOPS ahead of deployment
• File naming conventions and repository structure confirmed with DAC
• Automated data transfer tested end-to-end

9. Final Review¶

• Mission plan reviewed by a team member not involved in its preparation
• All team members briefed on plan, contingencies, and abort criteria
• Health & Safety briefing completed; SOP signed by all personnel
• Mission plan archived in designated location
• Go / No-Go authority confirmed: ___________________________________

Sign-Off¶

Mission Planning Checklist — v1.0