This week we heard from a student at the University of Washington regarding a scientific experiment involving a seaglider that has gone astray. She is looking for help from members of the cruising community sailing offshore in the North Pacific, particularly in the waters southeast of Hawaii. Here’s her request.
My name is Layla Airola and I am a student at the University of Washington and the current Commodore of the Washington Yacht Club.
I am also the Chief Business Officer of the Student Seaglider Center, which is a student-run lab within UW’s School of Oceanography. In November, we deployed a Seaglider in the equatorial pacific to collect vital oceanographic data like temperature, salinity, oxygen, and chlorophyll.
We aimed to pilot the Seaglider to the shores of Hawaii, but currents have been stronger than we anticipated and the glider will not be able to make it to Hawaii before its batteries run out. In order to not lose the instrument, we need a boat to pick up the glider in the next two months and are reaching out to ask if you can communicate this request to your subscribers.
The glider is currently 1,975 km southeast of Hawaii and is pinging GPS signals accurate to within meters. Each glider weighs 120 lbs (55 kg) and at the surface, the orange antenna will be visible. The glider will keep sending GPS updates for the next three months, and live coordinates will be shared with any vessel able to assist. In the attached map, you can see information on its location and projected route.
If anyone is interested in picking up the glider or you would like more information about publication, please email lairola@uw.edu. We greatly appreciate your support.
Thank you so much,
Layla Airola
Chief Business Officer, Student Seaglider Center
Commodore, Washington Yacht Club
