Supplier of research equipment for the University of Cádiz

Casco Antiguo Oceanography at the forefront

Supplier of research equipment for the University of Cádiz

Last July, the Oceanography division of Casco Antiguo Profesional delivered the AUV COMET 300 RTSYS autonomous underwater vehicle to the Marine Research Institute (INMAR) of the University of Cadiz (UCA). This project has been 80% co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

The multipurpose nature of the AUV provides real-time, state-of-the-art ocean exploration data. The possibility to control it from the surface and to integrate it with different customized equipment makes each unit a unique and powerful receiver of information hidden on the seabed. 

It is fitted with a Klein UUV-3500 side-scan sonar for the detection of submerged objects and structures, along with a forward looking sonar for obstacle detection. 

Its LBL positioning system accurately marks and geolocates landmarks, being able to navigate up to 20 hours with the most accurate position on the market. 

Data on salinity, pressure, temperature, conductivity, chlorophyll, turbidity, and water quality are collected thanks to the built-in YSI EXO2S multiparameter probe. 

It also features a "Turner Designs" hydrocarbon sensor which, as its name suggests, emits processed information from the seabed. It also includes an HD camera with LED lighting for high-quality viewing of the images obtained during the exploration trip.

Summing up, in the words of Wenceslao González-Garra, head of the Oceanography Division, "We are happy to have carried out this project where the University of Cadiz will obtain valuable scientific information and will be able to learn more about the unknown world we have under the sea level".