Development of a propeller driven long range autonomous underwater vehicle (LRAUV) for under-ice mapping of oil spills and environmental hazards: An Arctic Domain Center of Awareness project (ADAC)

Abstract

The increasing level of commercial marine activity in high latitudes creates an ever growing risk of oil spills. Even in logistically accessible, ice-free oceans, characterizing the extent and nature of a spill can be challenging as highlighted by the Deepwater Horizon incident. We propose to develop an AUV-based approach inspired by an existing small, long-range system, called the Tethys Long-Range AUV (LRAUV), in order to support the Arctic Doman Awareness Center (ADAC) for spill preparedness.