A combined benthic grab and observation system for rapid assessment of water column and seabed

A combined benthic grab, acoustic and optical observation system for water column and seabed studies has been developed and deployed in waters off the East Australian Coast during 2009. The system was developed to inform the ecosystem-based spatial management approach being adopted for Australian deepwater environments. The Benthic Optical, Acoustic and Grab System (BOAGS) combines several observational technologies to deliver a platform which maximizes scientific return from a single shipboard instrument deployment. The concept of the system is to provide a tool for rapid assessment of seabed type without the need to deploy multiple independent instruments. The BOAGS couples sediment grab, cameras, scientific echo-sounder and conductivity/temperature/depth sensor (CTD) to deliver a platform which greatly enhances sampling efficiency and quality of data collected. A winch and 6000 meter optic fiber tow cable are used to deploy the system from the vessel to a rated working depth of 3000 meters. The tow cable delivers power to the platform with real time data and live video transmitted continuously through the optical fiber from the platform to the surface. The winch has both local and remote control stations. The latter allows the operator to actively control the depth of the BOAGS platform from an operator console within the ship in response to data and video from the system.