Saildrone: A New Paradigm in Ocean Exploration saildrone 2024-05-29 | Saildrone is modernizing maritime domain awareness, delivering decisive tactical and strategic advantage for national security and law enforcement at sea through integrated autonomous technology.Employ Saildrone USVs for your dull, dirty, and dangerous MDA missions to most effectively employ low-density, high-demand manned platforms.
NOAA/Saildrone 2023 Hurricane Mission saildrone 2023-11-28 | November 30 marks the official end of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. In partnership with NOAA, Saildrone pushed the boundaries of data collection throughout this active season, which was crucial to conducting tropical cyclone research that will strengthen our ability to forecast future storm development and better protect those most affected. We deployed 12 Saildrone Explorer uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) that collected observations from the air-sea interface. The saildrones intercepted 19 storms for a total of 141 hours in tropical storm conditions, and the data was cited by the National Hurricane Center 20 times in their 2023 forecast discussions. Click the link to read NOAA’s story: aoml.noaa.gov/2023-hurricane-season Further Reading:“2023 Atlantic hurricane season ranks 4th for most-named storms in a year”noaa.gov/news-release/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-ranks-4th-for-most-named-storms-in-year#:~:text=The%20above%2Dnormal%202023%20Atlantic,in%20a%20year%20since%201950.
Saildrone 2023 Batcon Mission saildrone 2023-10-27 | Saildrone and Bat Conservation International (BCI), a global conservation organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions, have completed a first-of-its-kind mission to study bats in an offshore environment using the bats’ own echolocation calls. Learn more: saildrone.com/news/listening-bats-offshore-saildrone-usv
Saildrone Fleet Sails Over 1 Million NM & 32,000 Days at Sea! saildrone 2023-10-17 | Saildrone’s fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), now 136 strong and scaling rapidly, has sailed 1,042,620 nautical miles and spent 32,438 days at sea—and counting.32,438 days at sea is equal to almost 89 years. 1,042,620 nautical miles is equivalent to sailing across the Pacific Ocean at the equator 95 times, circumnavigating the Earth 48 times, or traveling to the moon and back 2.5 times.Read the story: saildrone.com/news/saildrone-fleet-reaches-new-milestone-1m-nautical-miles-32-000-days-at-sea
SD 1083 Inside Hurricane Idalia Aug 29 2023 saildrone 2023-09-13 | Saildrone was one of many tools used in Hurricane Idalia and Tropical Storm Franklin by @NOAA in a coordinated effort to complete an “atmospheric puzzle” of data. 🌊🧩Sustaining max wind speeds of 54.31 knots and 9.6m wave heights, the saildrones “provided key information about the ocean and atmosphere” while passing through these rapidly intensifying storms.Click here to read the whole story from NOAA: aoml.noaa.gov/noaa-flies-into-hurricanes-franklin-and-idalia
SD 1045 Redeploys for 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Mission saildrone 2023-07-26 | SD 1045 made global headlines collecting data from the eye of Hurricane Sam in 2021, and now it’s out to do it again! To redeploy SD 1045 this year for the same mission is an incredible testament to the Saildrone platform, and demonstrates the endurance, durability, and reliability of the vehicles Saildrone has built.Read more: saildrone.com/news/hurricane-sam-saildrone-sails-back-into-eye-storm
2022-2023 Aleutian Uncrewed Ocean Exploration Mission saildrone 2023-04-13 | The Saildrone Surveyor, the world’s largest uncrewed ocean mapping vehicle, embarked on a mission to map more than 45,000 sq km of unexplored ocean floor. Its destination was the Aleutian Islands, where severe weather on the water is the norm. The Aleutian chain area of the US’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is one of the highest-priority regions for collecting additional data and information across the Federal space. In conditions of 35-knot winds and wave swells over 5 meters, the Surveyor met the challenge and collected high-quality data. Data revealed unprecedented detail of the Aleutian arc seafloor, like the Amukta Canyon and indications of potential hydrothermal vents. After transiting 2,000 nautical miles back to San Francisco, the Surveyor was tasked to map additional priority areas a few hundred miles off the coast of California. There, the Surveyor discovered a previously unknown seamount, 1,000 meters high from the seabed, demonstrating its capability to collect valuable data without risk to human life and reduced carbon footprint.
2023 UH Mānoa Ocean Chemistry Mission saildrone 2023-04-06 | Three Saildrone Explorers began a six-month mission around Hawai’i Island, Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i for researchers at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa to evaluate ocean health across the state. UH has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Marine Environmental Lab (NOAA/PMEL) and the University of Washington’s Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES), in an effort funded by the $50 million gift from Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg to the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). The saildrones will take measurements of pH and CO2 levels in Hawaii’s nearshore waters. While identifying areas of ocean acidification, the saildrones maintain a zero-carbon footprint and autonomously make their way to the area of study once launched. Read more: saildrone.com/news/university-hawaii-manoa-ocean-chemistry
Saildrone Surveyor Returns from Aleutian Islands saildrone 2023-03-20 | Saildrone Surveyor SD 1200 captures video from onboard camera in the North Pacific Ocean showing rough, windy conditions.For 52 days between August and October, the Surveyor mapped 16,254 square kilometers (6,276 square mile) of unknown seafloor around the Aleutian Islands. Mission collaborators were able to follow the data collection in real time. Preliminary data revealed unprecedented detail of the Aleutian arc seafloor, including previously unknown structures, some of which indicate potential hydrothermal vents.Read the full story: saildrone.com/news/surveyor-usv-closing-ocean-exploration-gaps-alaska-california
Hurricane Fiona SD 1078 9 22 Highlight Reel saildrone 2022-09-22 | Incredible footage captured by Saildrone Explorer SD 1078 in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Fiona Sept. 22, 2022.For the second year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Saildrone are hurricane chasing with uncrewed wind-powered vehicles. SD 1078 was directed into the midst of Hurricane Fiona, which is currently on a path northward in the Atlantic Ocean and is predicted to impact Bermuda on Thursday night and the Canadian province of Nova Scotia on Friday. Learn more: saildrone.com/news/heres-what-it-looks-like-inside-hurricane-fiona
Hurricane Fiona SD 1078 9 22 14 11 saildrone 2022-09-22 | Footage captured by SD 1078 in the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Fiona Sept. 22, 2022, 14:11 UTC. Please credit Courtesy Saildrone and NOAA. Saildrone and NOAA logos must remain on all assets. Any use or modification is subject to SAILDRONE and NOAA's prior express permission.
Split Screen Hurricane Fiona SD 1078 9 22 14 11 saildrone 2022-09-22 | SD 1078 near the eye of Category 4 Hurricane Fiona at 1411 UTC on Sept. 22, 2022, as shown by the Saildrone Mission Portal and POV video from the vehicle.
Saildrone in the Southern Ocean saildrone 2022-07-01 | In 2019, Saildrone completed the first autonomous circumnavigation of Antarctica, collecting critical data about air/sea carbon exchange along the way. In 2022, Saildrone continues that effort with two more concurrent missions in the Southern Ocean.
Saildrone in the Arctic Ocean saildrone 2022-06-08 | Happy World Ocean's Day! 🌊 Oceans cover more than 70% of the planet. They are our life source, a major driver of weather and climate, and provide both jobs and sustenance for billions of people around the world. Ocean data is critical to keeping our oceans healthy and supporting a safe, sustainable planet.Saildrone has been performing annual missions in the Arctic Ocean since 2015, in collaboration with NOAA. Missions include acoustic fisheries surveys, ocean mapping, marine mammal tracking, satellite calibration and validation, and metocean data collection.To learn more, visit the United Nations World Ocean Day website: unworldoceansday.org
Saildrone Founder & CEO Richard Jenkins Recognized with Michelson Award for Innovation saildrone 2022-04-05 | The Albert A. Michelson Award, presented at Sea Air Space 2022 by the Navy League of the United States, recognizes outstanding achievement by industry innovators and leaders. Read the story: saildrone.com/news/richard-jenkins-michelson-award-navy-league-united-states
2021 Atlantic Hurricane Mission: 24 Hours in Hurricane Sam saildrone 2021-12-16 | SOUND ON 🔊Follow Saildrone Explorer SD 1045 through the eye of a category 4 hurricane. This incredible "point of view" footage was captured before, during, and after Hurricane Sam passes over the vehicle in the Atlantic Ocean.SD 1045 was approximately 450 nautical miles northeast of Puerto Rico when it encountered Hurricane Sam, which would prove to be the most powerful hurricane of the 2021 season. This video was made possible by NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory with the Saildrone team.Learn more about this mission: A New Era of Hurricane Observing and Forecasting: saildrone.com/news/atlantic-hurricane-mission-new-era-observing-forecasting
Saildrone 2022 Gulf Stream Mission Launch saildrone 2021-12-09 | And they’re off! For six months, three saildrones will study two huge science puzzles in one of the world’s most turbulent ocean regions. This mission is expected to yield extraordinary insights into the impact of the Gulf Stream on weather forecasting and global carbon models.Read all about it: saildrone.com/news/gulf-stream-launch-weather-forecasting-global-carbon-modelCredit: Alex DeCiccio for The University of Rhode Island
Saildrone Explorer Group in the Atlantic Ocean and POV Video of SD 1045 Inside Hurricane Sam saildrone 2021-10-05 | Five Saildrone Explorers are deployed in the Atlantic Ocean to better understand the ocean processes that are occurring as hurricane intensity increases, which means collecting data immediately before and during a hurricane.Hurricane Sam was upgraded to a Category 4 storm by the National Weather Service as SD 1045 reached the storm. At the time the video was collected, the saildrone was experiencing winds gusting over 120 mph and 50-foot waves.The saildrones provide data directly to NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Saildrone’s partners in this mission.The data will also be valuable to other groups, including the National Weather Service (NWS), and the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS). NWS will use the Saildrone data to improve forecasting. NESDIS will align findings resulting from the Saildrone data with that of other observing platforms, such as gliders.Read more about this mission: saildrone.com/news/saildrone-collects-live-video-inside-hurricane-sam
SD 1045 Near the Eye of Hurricane Sam and the Saildrone Mission Portal saildrone 2021-10-04 | Split-screen showing POV video from SD 1045 inside Hurricane Sam and the location of the vehicle near the eye in the Saildrone Mission Portal. Wind speeds were reached 125 mph at this moment.
SD 1045 Inside Hurricane Sam 1557UTC Sept 30 2021 saildrone 2021-10-02 | POV video captured by Saildrone Explorer SD 1045's onboard camera showing crazy waves and wild weather conditions near the eye of Hurricane Sam in the Atlantic Ocean at 1557UTC Sept 30, 2021. Wind speeds were reached 125 mph at this moment.
SD 1045 Inside Hurricane Sam 1414UTC Sept 30 2021 saildrone 2021-10-01 | POV video captured by Saildrone Explorer SD 1045's onboard camera showing crazy waves and wild weather conditions inside Hurricane Sam in the Atlantic Ocean at 1414UTC Sept 30, 2021.
SD 1045 Inside Hurricane Sam and the Saildrone Mission Portal saildrone 2021-09-30 | Split-screen showing the Saildrone Mission Portal and POV video from SD 1045 inside Hurricane Sam.
SD 1045 Inside Hurricane Sam 1400UTC Sept 30 2021 saildrone 2021-09-30 | POV video captured by SD 1045's onboard camera from inside Hurricane Sam in the Atlantic Ocean at 1400UTC Sept 30, 2021.
Location of SD 1045 Inside Inside Hurricane Sam 1400UTC Sept 30 2021 saildrone 2021-09-30 | SD 1045's location in Hurricane Sam as shown by the Saildrone Mission Portal.
Saildrone CEO Richard Jenkins Interviewed by The Weather Channel saildrone 2021-08-09 | Saildrone founder and CEO Richard Jenkins joined America's Morning Headquarters on The Weather Channel on Aug. 5, 2021, to discuss how Saildrone will help to improve hurricane forecasting.
Saildrone Surveyor Arrives in Honolulu, Hawaii saildrone 2021-07-10 | Saildrone’s flagship autonomous, uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) arrived in Hawaii after a groundbreaking 2,250-nautical mile maiden voyage from San Francisco to Honolulu. While ocean crossings are nothing new for Saildrone’s fleet of USVs, the Surveyor is a new, much larger class of vehicle optimized for deep-ocean mapping and will be a transformational tool in the global effort to map our oceans. Read more: saildrone.com/news/surveyor-completes-first-trans-pacific-ocean-mapping-mission
Saildrone Surveyor Discovers New Sea Hill Off the Coast of San Francisco saildrone 2021-07-08 | In May 2020, the Saildrone Surveyor successfully mapped an uncharted area of the ocean 140 nautical miles off the coast of San Francisco discovering a completely unknown 2,600-foot (800 meter) sea “hill”. The Surveyor is a 72-foot ocean drone equipped with the world’s best shallow-water and deep-water multibeam sonar systems capable of mapping the ocean to a depth of 7,000 meters. Powered predominantly by wind and solar energy, and with no crew to support, the Surveyor can remain at sea for a staggering 160+ days.
Meet the Saildrone Surveyor saildrone 2021-07-08 | The 72-foot Saildrone Surveyor is equipped with the world’s best shallow-water and deep-water multibeam sonar systems capable of mapping the ocean to a depth of 7,000 meters.
Saildrone Surveyor Demonstrates Exceptional Data Quality saildrone 2021-07-08 | The 72-foot Saildrone Surveyor is equipped with the world’s best shallow-water and deep-water multibeam sonar systems capable of mapping the ocean to a depth of 7,000 meters. Rigorous sea trials have shown that the data quality the Surveyor can collect rivals that of the most advanced ocean survey ships in use today—meeting or exceeding International Hydrographic Organization standards.
Saildrone Hurricane Wing Testing saildrone 2021-06-25 | One of five Saildrone Explorers equipped with a hurricane wing testing in San Francisco Bay ahead of deployment in the Tropical Atlantic for the 2021 hurricane season.Learn more: bit.ly/2SGSgIh
Saildrone Surveyor 72-foot USV Launched in California saildrone 2021-01-11 | Saildrone is excited to announce it has launched the Saildrone Surveyor, a new 72-foot uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) equipped for high-resolution mapping of the ocean seafloor. The Surveyor is a scaled-up version of the 23-foot Saildrone Explorer and carries a sophisticated array of acoustic instruments for shallow and deep-water ocean mapping.Like the Explorer, the Surveyor is uncrewed and uses renewable solar energy to power its robust sensor suite; the Surveyor delivers an equivalent survey capability, but at a fraction of the cost and carbon footprint of a traditional survey ship and without putting human health and safety at risk.Learn more: saildrone.com/news/saildrone-launches-72-foot-surveyor-ocean-mapping
Saildrone SD 1020 POV of the Southern Ocean saildrone 2020-11-25 | Video taken from SD 1020’s onboard camera during the 2019 Antarctic Circumnavigation showing extreme wind and wave conditions in the Southern Ocean.Learn more about this mission: saildrone.com/news/unmanned-vehicle-completes-antarctica-circumnavigation
Saildrone Wraps Up Successful MDA Demonstration for US Coast Guard saildrone 2020-11-19 | Throughout the month of October, Saildrone performed a 30-day proof-of-concept demonstration for the United States Coast Guard to show how uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) could be used to provide persistent maritime domain awareness (MDA) at sea. Six saildrones were stationed in an operating area adjacent to Penguin Bank, west of Molokai, Hawaii.
Saildrone Demonstrates MDA Solutions for USCG – Week 1 Recap saildrone 2020-10-13 | A fleet of six saildrones was launched from Honolulu to demonstrate how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to support the US Coast Guard mission.Learn more: saildrone.com/news/uscg-mda-demo-begins-hawaii
How a fleet of sailing drones is monitoring our oceans saildrone 2019-09-26 | Our oceans are changing at an unprecedented rate. Discover how Saildrone is taking action by building a global fleet of 1,000 wind-powered, emission-free ocean drones to monitor our oceans in real time and working with the science community to improve our collective understanding on how these changes impact people around the world. Learn more at saildrone.com or download the Saildrone Forecast app at https://z68t.app.link/DFl45GOxJS
Penguins and Statistics - Saildrone Antarctic Circumnavigation saildrone 2019-04-22 | Wind and solar powered ocean drones known as Saildrones are attempting the first autonomous circumnavigation of Antarctica. Follow-along in this multi-part series to know more about this continent, learn more about this mission and access free lesson plans to bring Antarctica to your classroom at saildrone.com/antarcticaIn this short video, learn about the threats faced by penguins in Antarctica and how Saildrone's wind and solar powered ocean drones are characterizing areas where tagged penguins feed, studying the relationship between predators and prey.
Ocean Acidification - Saildrone Antarctica Circumnavigation saildrone 2019-03-02 | Wind and solar powered ocean drones known as Saildrones are attempting the first autonomous circumnavigation of Antarctica. Follow-along in this multi-part series to know more about this continent, learn more about this mission and access free lesson plans to bring Antarctica to your classroom at saildrone.com/antarcticaOceans absorb up to 30% of the CO2 in the atmosphere, yet ocean acidification is a much lesser known effect of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Once in the water, CO2 reacts with water to create carbonic acid lowering the pH of oceans and effecting shellfish, fish and corals and the balance of their associated food webs. There is no ‘quick fix’ for ocean acidification, so knowledge of the effects of people’s carbon footprint is essential to help minimize the ongoing problem.This unit of work will use the remoteness of the Antarctic seas to highlight how effects such as ocean acidification are felt all across the world, including in unpopulated areas. With a focus on solutions, the unit will also look at present day technologies and solutions.
Krill and Its Place in the Antarctica Food Chain saildrone 2019-02-08 | Wind and solar powered ocean drones known as Saildrones are attempting the first autonomous circumnavigation of Antarctica. Follow-along in this multi-part series to know more about this continent and learn more about this mission at saildrone.com/antarcticaAntarctica is still a continent that holds much mystery due to its harsh environment and remote location. Krill is considered a keystone species in the Antarctic, with many species, such as penguins, seals and whales, dependent upon it for survival. Krill is potentially under increasing pressure from commercial fishing, as demand increases and fishing techniques improve, and reduction in sea ice due to increased melting
