6/20/2026
This stretch of the cruise gave us a good look at just how differently each type of float makes its exit — from careful, hands-on lowering to a quick toss off the stern.
Deep Argo
The Deep floats get the most deliberate send-off of the bunch — they’re eased into the water rather than dropped, since they’re headed for the deepest part of the water column. It takes a team to get a Deep float overboard safely. Technicians Todd and Nick oversaw this deployment, with scientists Riley Ames, Andrew Babbin, and Emma Scott on hand to help. Here’s Deep Argo float #6146 being lowered in to begin its journey.
The deep floats are deployed differently from the others. Here’s #6146 being lowered into the water to begin its journey. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
This shows another angle of the Deep float deployment, with Langseth technician Todd (right) and scientist Roxanna Braganca (left) ready to get it on its journey to the deep. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
Roxanna Braganca readies a Deep float for deployment. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
Langseth technicians Todd and Nick oversee the float deployment operation. Scientists Riley Ames, Andrew Babbin, and Emma Scott are ready to help. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
BGC Floats
Some BGC floats travel in cardboard packaging that protects them during deployment — and conveniently dissolves once it hits seawater, so there’s nothing left behind. This one begins its journey with a lovely view.
A BGC float begins its journey with a lovely view. The cardboard protects the floats during deployment and dissolves in seawater. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
Core Argo
Some deployments happen after dark, as the ship leaves station. This Core float went in at night, deployed by Zoe Fricker and Andrew Marshall Fagerheim.
A core float begins its journey at night as the ship leaves station. This one was deployed by Zoe Fricker and Andrew Marshall Fagerheim. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
Zoe Fricker excitedly says goodbye to another Core float. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
SVP Drifters
Compared to the floats, the surface drifters are refreshingly simple — the ship doesn’t even slow down. They just get tossed off the stern. Zoe Fricker and Riley Ames clearly enjoyed this one.
The drifters are much simpler to deploy, the ship doesn’t slow down and they get tossed off the stern. Zoe Fricker and Riley Ames enjoyed this task. Photo Credit: Allen Smith
Every float and drifter that goes over the side adds another data point to the global array — and another good story from the deck of the Langseth.
About the Author— Photos curated by Zoe Fricker. Captions provided by Melissa Miller.