The increasing use of small, light-weight gravity corers equipped with free-fall devices, has raised the question of applicability of the optimum free-fall distance criteria originally established for large, heavy corers. Measurements have been made of the free-fall velocities of several devices representative of the class of small corers. These data indicate an optimum free-fall setting of 2–3 m, with general caution indicated on the minimum setting and specific caution indicated on the maximum for corers not fitted with stabilizing fins.
Read full abstract