Best practices for operating underwater gliders in Atlantic Canada

Abstract

Ocean gliders are versatile tools for making ocean observations. This paper summarizes the experience, of nearly two decades, of glider observing activity in Atlantic Canada. It reviews key considerations for operating gliders based on the experience and the lessons learned. This paper has three main goals: 1. To provide new and emerging glider users with guidance and considerations for developing a glider program. 2. Review the literature on sensor development for gliders and the use of gliders. 3. To highlight different mission scenarios that include enough practical considerations to support operating gliders. The use of gliders is rapidly expanding, but the documentation and consolidation of best practices for their operational use in Atlantic Canada remains underdeveloped. This summary provides a guide that should be helpful both to new and experienced glider operators and potential users, to observe the oceanography of this region and addresses regional challenges. We believe documenting our experience will be also helpful to the global glider community. We summarize the most critical considerations of utilizing gliders. We review the issues specific to the platform use and concerns about how to optimize the use of key sensors to contribute to an oceanographic observing program.