The Docking project's goal is to decouple AUV operations from the constraints and expenses stemming from dependence on ships. This project is developing and demonstrating a docking system to allow properly equipped Dorado vehicles to connect to the MARS cabled observatory. Once connected, the dock provides the AUV with power and a communication link to shore, thus allowing shore-side operators to recharge vehicle batteries, download AUV mission data, and upload and initiate new AUV missions. In effect, the docking system will allow Dorado to be deployed and operated remotely at sea for extended periods, requiring a ship only for initial deployment and recovery. Earlier docking work demonstrated homing, communications, and power transfer on Odyssey class AUVs. Taking advantage of the modular nature of the Dorado, the new docking capability is largely contained in a 10” section inserted behind the vehicle nose. The docking vehicle demonstrated the key homing phase of docking in late 2005. In 2006 the complete docking system will be deployed and the full docking capability will be exercised.
While docking has been a dream of AUV developers for years, the advent of seafloor observatory systems provides a fresh impetus for bringing proof-of-concept systems to operational status. The Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) testbed cabled observatory provides an idea site for developing and demonstrating AUV docking. While the mooring-based observatories, such as MOOS, will be a somewhat more demanding host due to limited power and communications, these too should be capable of supporting AUV docking. MARS compatibility of the docking system should ensure the system is well suited to being deployed on future Regional-scale Cabled Observatories (RCOs). From a scientific perspective, docking systems open a new window into the ocean. Perhaps most important, docking creates a powerful new capability for studying episodic ocean processes such as weather driven events, biological blooms, and volcanic eruptions.