Protecting instruments against the people, curiosity, stealing, ...

Hi all!!

We are going to deploy some aquadopp profiler in an area of very shallow waters(0.3 meters to 2 meters). We have the problem that people could touch the profilers, broke, move or steal them. We are planning long term deployment, so we need some way to protect the instrument against the people, but in a way that not affect the data, and we could retrieve them when the deployment end.

Someone has have this problem too?  How has resolved it?

I will be glad to receive some advice or idea.

 Have a good day.

Dear Francisco, Nortek often run instrument tests in the fjord outside our office.  What we often see (from the pressure sensor) is that the people pull up the equipment check it out.  However, so far they always lowered the equipment again when they see that is not lobster trap or something "really interesting" they can use themselves.

Best regards, Atle Lohrmann

Hi Francisco,

There are a few things you can do to discourage people from messing with your instruments. I would recommend camouflaging the instrument and frame as much as possible. Fortunately, the Aquadopp is black and gray primarily, so it should be a little harder to see than something that's bright blue If there is vegetation in the deployment area, try to find something to match this and drape it over the frame and instrument. I'd also suggest making your frame heavier to deter someone from moving it, no one wants to work very hard for mischief.

Also try to minimize your surface signature, so if you can avoid having a surface buoy marking the frames, definitely eliminate it. I have a friend who works for the USGS and they use heavy steel cables, padlocks, no surface floats, etc. to keep their instruments from being bothered. I don't think they've had any trouble and they do a lot of deployments.

If there is someone that frequents the deployment area, it's worth befriending them and giving them your contact info. Let them know where your instruments are and ask them to keep an eye on them.

P.J.

Thanks a lot for your advices, so to prevent the people curiosity I must:

*) Camuflate it.

*) Use a heavy frame.

*) Dont use any surface siganture.

*) Put some note about that this instrument dont have any economic value and a contact telephone.

*) Contact with the people that could find it and ask for them cooperation.

*) Have luck.