Mote to launch second underwater robot

Mote Marine Laboratory scientists will launch its second underwater robot tomorrow to search for oil.

The autonomous underwater vehicle will be launched approximately 15 miles from Key West — the location oil may be expected to appear as it is carried south into the Loop Current.

Nicknamed Waldo, the AUV will patrol for the length of its battery life of three weeks. It will gather data every few seconds and transmit the information via satellite to researchers every four hours.

Mote’s first AUV was launched May 17 about 20 miles west of Venice.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].