Profiling float dives deep

摘要

Teledyne Webb Research, USA, reports that a new version of the company's Autonomous Profiling Explorer (APEX) has set a record by diving below 4000 metres off the coast of Hawaii's Big Island. The standard APEX has a maximum depth rating of 2000 metres. The new APEX Deep has been completely redesigned to bring the deep oceans within reach of oceanographers with a working depth of 6000 metres. The demonstration off the coast of Hawaii is a milestone for the APEX Deep. "We achieved the goals of our first two spirals by getting past 4000 metres and demonstrating our new control software, the APF-11," said Ernie Petzrick, retired US Navy captain and oceanographer, now the Teledyne Webb Research APEX product line manager, adding: "Now it is time to apply our lessons learned and prepare for 6000 metres."