Following a power failure on one of the LSPM’s observatory Nodes (January 2024), we finally succeeded in recovering the scientific junction box, the BathyBot (remotely operated robot) and its BathyDock. This operation was carried out in collaboration with Km3NeT and the LSPM using the FOSELEV Marine vessel Castor 02, the SAS (Ship As a Service) research vessel Janus II and its ROV Apache. This operation was funded by CNRS-Ifremer through a financial support to the IR-EMSO-Fr. The CNRS-INSU Technical Division (DT INSU) provided invaluable support for this operation, and divers from OSU Pytheas and MIO helped to secure the recovery of the BathyBot. The objects are currently undergoing assessment, maintenance and possible repairs with a view to redeployment in 2026.

At the end of May, the ALBATROSS line recovered last April was successfully redeployed from the NO Tethys II (FOF). It should be noted that the ALBATROSS line has been fitted with new equipment in addition to its 8 microcat (p, T, S, O2) and 6 Aquadopp (Currentmeters) dedicated to observing the thermodynamic properties of the north-western Mediterranean Sea, the evolution of the stratification of the water column and the ventilation of the Levantine and deep waters masses. At 500m, the instrumented mooring line has been equipped with a pH sensor, an IODA to measure oxygen dynamics and a Visu-trap (in collaboration with LOG and IMEV) to measure particle flow and acquire images of macroscopic planktonic organisms.

The mooring line consists of 3 stages that can be recovered sequentially. The first stage, consisting of the IODA and the Visu-trap, is due to be recovered in a year’s time, while the other 2 stages will be recovered in 18-24 months.

Thanks to the DT INSU for this success and to the SAM for their support. 

The data are available here

 

Figure 1: Deployment of new instrumentation on the mooring line ALBATROSS.

Figure 2:  Redeployment of the mooring line after maintenance on shore.

Figure 3: Recovery of the Scientific Junction Box (BJS) dedicated to the deployment of pluri-disciplinary instruments on the EMSO Ligurian Sea (Western Ligurian site).

Figure 4: Recovery of BathyBot of benthic rover deployed for 2 years at the EMSO Ligurian Sea (Western Ligurian site) and dedicated to the real time observation of biology in the deep Mediterranean Sea (2500m depth).

Figure 5: Awaiting underwater… Recovery of BathyBot of benthic rover deployed for 2 years at the EMSO Ligurian Sea (Western Ligurian site) and dedicated to the real time observation of biology in the deep Mediterranean Sea (2500m depth). ©F. Zuberer – OSUPYTHEAS

Credits : ©EMSO-LO, ©CNRS ©OSUPYTHEAS