A PIONEERING sea robot – known as Thomas – took to the water off Milford Haven on Thursday (August 20).

Two long-distance endurance robots are off on a unique voyage to capture images of the ocean life off the Pembrokeshire coast as part of a project set to pave the way for a new era in marine research with WWF and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).

Thomas, a C-Enduro, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), is part-powered by wind and solar energy and controlled remotely by satellite.

Thomas started its journey of discovery from Milford Haven and will cover more than a thousand miles during its trip to an area south west of the Welsh coast known as the ‘Celtic Deep,’ approximately 50 miles offshore.

It will work in tandem with an underwater Slocum Glider moving up and down in the water. Each vehicle will be carrying sensors capable of measuring the temperature and salinity of the water and acoustic ‘pingers’ to detect plankton and fish shoals.

The surface vehicle will also carry four GoPro cameras to capture images of marine life on the surface and in the air. Images may also include debris and pollution such as plastic litter.

The information will give scientists a better understanding of the environment, helping inform conservation and management of marine activities.

Next month, the vehicles will return to the National Oceanography Centre laden with pictures and data which are expected to reveal the extraordinary richness of these waters.

NOC’s Dr Russell Wynn, who is co-ordinating the research for WWF, said: “This is a completely new way of conducting science.

"This area is a hot spot for marine wildlife but difficult to observe as it is a long way out to sea.

“As the water mass moves so do animals – it’s a completely dynamic, ever-changing environment and difficult to monitor. The surface vehicle is bristling with GoPro cameras and carrying listening sensors – our eyes and ears – while the glider has sensors that will tell us what the front ‘feels’ like – its temperature, salinity, how many fish are present. Over two weeks this technology will build a 3D picture of the front and the animals there.”

Dr Lyndsey Dodds, head of marine policy at WWF-UK, added: “As well as being home to a wonderful array of animals and plants, our seas provide vital resources such as food and energy. But our oceans are under increasing pressure and are in need of greater protection. By using innovative technology like these vehicles we can learn more about the life that is offshore and out of our sight and make sure these areas are given the protection that they need.”