Technology
Aerial drones and satellite remote sensing technology will be used to assist the captain of S. A. Agulhas II in finding the easiest channel through the ice. Drones will also be used to measure sea ice thickness and snow depth, and the measurements will be coordinated with data from an upward- looking Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to give a better understanding of the sea ice conditions.
State-of-the-art AUVs deployed from the ship are able to work independently under the ice up to one hundred nautical miles away so, as long as the vessel is able to get close enough to its target locations, it will be possible to conduct research and gather valuable data. The AUVs hydrodynamic design provides maximum stability and maneuverability, while accurate instruments and excellent battery capacity make them ideal for high-resolution seabed mapping and imaging, oceanographic surveys and search operations.