RRS Discovery Cruise 323, 19 Sep-03 Oct 2007. First deepwater trials of the Autosub6000 AUV.

The main objective of RRS Discovery Cruise 323 was to carry out the first deep sea field
trials of the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS) developed Autosub6000
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. In addition, we took the opportunity, working with
engineers from Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL), to carry out deep water testing
of integrated two way acoustic and satellite communications systems. NOCS benthic
biologists also carried out seabed sampling operations at the base of the Whittard and King
Arthur Canyons. As far as the Autosub6000 operations were concerned, the objectives of
the cruise were completely met, with 8 dives, lasting 60 hours total and running for 278 km, to
a maximum depth of 4553 m, and without faults. The POL tests of the acoustic and satellite
systems were a success, and the NOCS benthic biologists successfully obtained Mega core
samples at the base of the Whittard canyon.