Waldo re-launched in Gulf

CREDIT: Mote Marine

“Waldo,” an underwater robot launched by Mote Marine Laboratory to patrol for oil and oil dispersant in Southwest Florida waters, was re-launched Tuesday, June 15, off Sarasota, after Mote Marine Laboratory scientists replaced the robot’s satellite transmitter, which had failed to “phone home.”

While land-bound at Mote, the yellow, torpedo-shaped robot received a new tail piece containing the working transmitter. In case communication problems arise again, Waldo was also fitted with a “pinger”—a device that emits a sound that scientists can track from half a mile away using an underwater receiver.

Waldo will patrol for oil about 30 miles offshore between Sarasota and Sanibel. Originally launched May 25 off the Florida Keys, Waldo is one of four autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, currently deployed by Mote to scout for oil and dispersant in the waters of Florida’s West Continental Shelf.

To date, none of these robots have not detected any oil or dispersant.