Brooke Ocean Technology (BOT) delivered an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) handling system to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in January of 2003, for installation aboard the research vessel, "Zephyr". This system is used to deploy and recover the Dorado class AUVs with 21” diameter hulls, up to 20 feet long and 2500 lbs. weight. Successful trials were completed in late January, 2003.

The handling system consists of a double articulated, hydraulically actuated J-frame, which overboards a capture mechanism designed for the Dorado vehicles. The capture mechanism features a compliant target zone system, eliminating hard contact with the AUV. The handling system operates from the stern of Zephyr.

MBARI continues to regularly operate the system during its operations in central California.

Brooke Ocean Technology is a leading manufacturer of advanced data collection platforms, launch and recovery systems and cable handling hardware. BOT is located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

MBARI, a non-profit oceanographic research institute in Moss landing, California, was founded in 1987 by David Packard and is located in Moss Landing, California.

BOT is a Canadian-based manufacturer of sensor platforms, cable handling systems and launch/recovery systems and have representatives in every major marketplace worldwide.