The MiniBAT-a miniaturized towed sampling system

Conventional towed-behind-the-boat sensor systems have been used for many years and are always associated with requiring operational support from heavy duty winches, cranes, cable and large ships with lots of manpower and attention. These systems are typically used in deep water to measure horizontal and vertical variability of various physical and biological parameters. However, their large size, weight-and demand for complex systems support have prevented their successful use in coastal and freshwater areas. To address the problem of a usable tow body system for coastal and fresh water research, Guildline has just introduced a portable, miniaturized tow body system called the MiniBAT. This paper presents a description of the MiniBAT system, operational requirements, and some detail of the data acquisition and electronics subsystems. Data collected in Sydney, Australia at the new ocean outfalls, and other locations are presented as examples of MiniBAT field use