The float park: A new tool for a cost-effective collection of Lagrangian time series with dual release RAFOS floats

The World Ocean Circulation Experiment has established Lagrangian observati ons with neutrally buoyant floats as a routine tool in the study of deep-se a currents. Here a novel variant of the well-proven RAFOS concept for seedi ng floats at locations where they can be triggered on a timed basis is intr oduced. This cost-effective method obviates the need to revisit sites with a high-priced research vessel each time floats are to be deployed. it enabl es multiple Lagrangian time series, for example, for the observation of int ermediate point sources of water masses, which are independent bur have ide ntical start points. This can be done even in environmentally challenging r egions such as below the ice. The successfully tested autonomous float park concept does not rely on a release carousel moored on the seafloor Instead , a second release was added to the standard RAFOS float for optional delay of regular drift missions. A float park can easily be installed by a condu ctivity-temperature-depth recorder system with a slightly modified rosette sampler.