Seaglider Recovery Checklist¶

Mission: ________________________________ Seaglider ID: _____________

Field team: ________________________ Pilot: ____________________ Date: __________

Source

Paraphrased from community Seaglider recovery checklists. Adapt to your vessel and local procedures.

1. Before the boat leaves¶

Pilot: choose the recovery location and fly the glider toward it in advance
Field team: notify pilot on departure with ETA on site
Pilot: switch to shallow dives approaching the rendezvous
Pilot: time the $QUIT so the glider surfaces just before the boat arrives minimize drift time on the surface
Pilot: confirm glider is in recovery mode and staying on the surface
Pilot: relay latest GPS fixes to the field team continuously

Field team: inform pilot on arrival; search the surface
Position the boat alongside with the current pushing the boat away from the glider never drift onto it

Small boat (cradle):

Take control of the glider by the antenna mast
Dunk the cradle vertically alongside; float the glider onto it, CT sail facing away from the boat, rudder hooked over the outside of the handle
Lift until water drains from the nose; hold until fully drained
Bring cradle aboard and secure

Large vessel (rudder lift):

Rig a large loop of line taped to the end of a long pole
Work the loop over the antenna and under the rudder the rudder notches are the only lift point on a Seaglider
Lift via winch; pause clear of the water to drain before landing on deck

Inform the pilot the glider is recovered
Inspect for visible damage; photograph the as-recovered condition
Refit sensor protective covers
Power the Seaglider off
Pilot: tidy the basestation — mission data into its mission directory; complete the dive log

Notes:

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