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Slocum Glider Field Recovery Procedure

For vessel operators and external deployment partners

This document covers the field-team side of a Slocum G3 recovery: the nose recovery system (recommended), a backup workboat procedure if it fails to eject, and stowing the glider once it's aboard. For the corresponding on-shore actions, see Remote Pilot Recovery Procedure.

Source

Paraphrased from NorGliders / University of Bergen (UiB) field procedure notes (SL11 — User Notes — G3 Recovery Field).

G3 glider labeled with strobe, tail-fin, thruster, wings, CTD, and buoyant nose cone

Specifications

Parameter Value
Model Teledyne Slocum G3 (with energy bay)
Length 2.35 m
Diameter of main body 0.19 m
Wingspan 1.0 m
Weight in air ~63 kg
Length of recovery line 9.1 m

Sensitive Areas

How to handle the glider

The glider can only be lifted from the nose (if vertical) or by choking two slings around the hull (if horizontal). The tail fin is rugged enough to handle and manipulate the glider — e.g. lifting from the tail far enough to slip slings underneath — but the thruster at the tail and the CTD beneath the starboard wing must be kept clear when handling.

Recovery Procedure (Nose Recovery System)

This is the recommended recovery method.

  1. In the days leading up to the recovery, coordinate with the glider operations team. The remote pilot will have the glider drifting on the surface a few hours before the planned recovery time, and will keep the field team updated with glider positions.

    Glider drifting at the sea surface

  2. Once the glider is located, inform the remote pilot — they will trigger the nose release. Observe the glider to confirm the nose detaches; it's loaded on a spool and can take up to 10 minutes to unravel. If it hasn't released after 10 minutes, inform the pilot.

  3. Locate the transport case on board, open it, and remove the glider cart.

    Slocum G3 transport case

    Latches

    After opening the case, flatten the latches — it's very easy to walk into them while loading the glider.

  4. Organize the deck for recovery: a grapple on a 20 m line, a long sturdy boathook, and the glider cart.

  5. Approach the glider from downwind. Grapple or reach for the line with a boat hook and haul in the nose. One person holds tension on the line away from the hull to minimize movement while the other ties an overhand knot in the recovery line and attaches it to the A-frame or crane.

  6. Lift the glider up out of the water nose first.

    Lifting the glider nose-first from the water

  7. Lower the glider onto the cart with the nose going into the ring-mount. Place a hand under the tail fin to pull the glider horizontal, taking care of the CTD under the wing. Secure the strap in the middle of the cart and push the glider all the way forward so it's snug against the cart's nose ring.

    Handling the glider by the tail-fin and labeled handle points

  8. Remove the wings by unscrewing the Phillips screw and pressing the snap-in wing supports.

Stowing Procedure

  1. Once on board, position the glider with access to the sky and notify the pilot — they will shut it down remotely and ask you to remove the green plug from the bulkhead connector labeled POWER on the aft of the glider and insert the red plug (in a box in the glider case). This needs to happen within 30 minutes, or the glider will not shut down properly.

    Power and comms plugs on the aft bulkhead

  2. Place the glider in the transport case, making sure the cart's legs slot into the rectangular holes in the mount. Fasten the two ratchet straps across the glider and replace the lid.

Backup Recovery Procedure — Workboat

Use this if the nose recovery system fails to eject. This is provided as a guide only — it will need to be adapted by the field team depending on vessel configuration and sea state.

  1. Once the glider is located, move the vessel downwind of it to discuss the retrieval plan and assign roles: (1) skipper, (2) deckhand to grab the glider by the tail, (3) deckhand to hold the glider cart.
  2. Organize the deck: boathook available, nose ring removed from the glider cart, black strap across the cart undone, a safety line fixed to the cart, and a Phillips screwdriver ready for the wings.
  3. The glider's nose points upwind — deploy and position the workboat so the glider is perpendicular to starboard. This helps avoid the wings catching as it's pulled aboard.
  4. Crew #2 holds the glider cart vertically over the side of the workboat.
  5. When in range, crew #1 reaches for the glider's fin and brings it closer.
  6. Holding the fin, crew #1 hoists the aft of the glider up vertically into the glider cart.
  7. Crew #1 and #2 pivot the cart (press down on the end) to bring the glider horizontal, then lift it on board. The cleat in the centre of the glider can be used for handling, but cannot take the glider's full weight — otherwise only the fin should be used to handle it.
  8. Once safely aboard, remove the wings (unscrew the Phillips screw, press the snap-in wing supports), re-attach the nose ring to the cart, buckle the strap, and secure the glider.