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The deep seafloor is vast and little explored. Defined as those waters below 200 m depth, is the largest biome on Earth, covering 66% of the planet's surface
Deep-sea exploration relies on cutting-edge technologies and large research vessels
Few research groups and countries have the technical and financial means to explore the deep sea
The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development recognizes the need to reduce inequality in ocean research capacity
Current commitments to protect marine biodiversity (UN 2030, EU 2030) require large-scale scientific data on the distribution and conservation status of deep-sea benthic species and habitats
A fundamental paradigm shift in the way deep-sea scientific data is collected is needed to make the deep-sea accessible to all
A drifting video platform that enables rapid assessments of deep-sea benthic habitats
Simple to assemble, easy to operate, and reliable instrument for visual exploration of the deep sea down to 1,000 m depth
Built with commercially available components, it is deployable from small platforms, including local fishing vessels
Drifting system
1,000 m max. depth
Live-view feed to vessel
Up to 4K video recording
LED Lights (concentric & diffuse)
Sensors (temperature & depth)
Lasers for image scaling
The development followed a set of guiding principles that determined the characteristics of the tool and the choices adopted
The Azor drift-cam is made of a stainless-steel structure to which all electronic components are attached, including the cameras, the lights, the sensors, the lasers and the deep-sea housings containing the live video system and the external batteries
(Click ⦿ to learn more about a component)
Set up all electronic components, including the cameras, lights, sensors, lasers, the live video system, and the external batteries
Attach the Azor drift-cam to the umbilical and weight, and deploy from the side of the vessel, either by hand or using a crane
Once released into the water, it freely descends through the water column and cruises following the vessel's drift
The distance to the seafloor is controlled with a hydraulic winch, following indications based on live-view feed
Retrieve the Azor drift-cam to download the video footage and data from the depth/temperature sensor
Video credits © Catarina Fazenda, Nuno Pote, Azores Deep-sea Research
Video credits © IMAR/Okeanos-UAz, Azor drift-cam
A cost-effective video system to explore the deep sea to 1,000 m depth
Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas
Rua Prof. Doutor Frederico Machado, 4
9901-862 Horta, Portugal