McLane Research Labs has released the Prawler (PRofiling crAWLER), a low-cost, wave-actuated vehicle that moves along the mooring wire, collecting data from the surface to 500 m of the water column. Data can include conductivity, temperature, depth (CTD), optical backscatter and dissolved oxygen.

Wave motion and special ratcheting clamps move the vehicle up the wire. The Prawler free-falls to the bottom of the user programmed profiling range, collecting data measurements. Wave oscillation powers vehicle movement. Sensors are powered by primary lithium batteries. —McLane Research Laboratories Inc.