Image

Scout Return

The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry returned to the research vessel Atlantis recently after an overnight mission to map the seafloor ahead of a dive by the human-occupied submersible Alvin later in the day. In addition to conducting its own, independent science missions, Sentry is often used with Alvin or the remotely operated vehicle Jason to scout the seafloor in advance to provide a detailed look at potential dive sites and features of interest. (Photo by Ken Kostel, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)