The Story of Autosub
LARS Debut - Oban, Scotland
These trials were in preparation for "Autosub Science Missions", a thematic programme created and funded by NERC. This mission was the first to include a LARS (Launch And Recovery System), which meant Calanus, the support vessel, needed to be loaded with extra ballast in order to ensure stability.
A purpose-built gantry was used to help ensure safe and effective deployment and recovery from a range of ships. Under hydraulic power the upper beam telescopes out over the stern, a hydraulic motor on the headpiece then rotates the vehicle parallel to the stern and two motors lower the vehicle via lines into the water. Lines attached to pins are pulled from the ship, releasing the vehicle from its deployment/lifting lines.
Autosub 1 being recovered from the water using the new Launch And Recovery System (LARS).