The Automated Recovery Timer (ART): An Alternative to Traditional 'Burnwire'- Based Subsea Instrument Recovery Devices

Traditional methods of data collection in the ocean often fall into one of two research categories, active and passive. Active, often diverbased, subsea research's greatest limiting factor is often time. When data collection needs surpass maximum allowable time by direct diver-based studies, passive techniques can provide an alternative to data collection. Passive data collection usually entails the deployment of instrumentation (i.e. data loggers, sensory systems, cameras, traps, etc.) from a boat and subsequent recovery via line and float or acoustic recovery systems. Common electronic recovery systems are largely cost-prohibitive and limited in their ability to deploy instruments in a variety of orientations. This study describes the development of a new, cost effective alternative to traditional systems that differs largely in that equipment remains negatively buoyant throughout the deployment period rather than tethering positively buoyant instrumentation to the sea floor and then dropping weight. This method reduces the likelihood of instrument damage and loss due to unpredictable ocean currents. The Automated Recovery Timer (ART) is the first subsea package recovery device to utilize a drive gas cartridge for resurfacing and was produced at a fraction of the cost of currently available systems. Keywords: Subsea Recovery Systems; Underwater Monitorin