Seagliders are unique in comparison to other instruments used to collect oceanographic data because their routes can be preprogrammed, meaning that theycan go from one location to another without intervention from people. Seagliders “fly” up and down the water column and are able to go up to 1000 meters in depth. They can be at sea for months at a time traveling hundreds of miles and automatically reporting data back to scientists via satellites when they surface.

Seagliders were developed at UW within the Seaglider Fabrication Center under the leadership of Dr. Fritz Stahr. The Fabrication Center was active from 2005 to 2018 and produced over one hundred gliders that contributed significantly to oceanographic research. 

After the Seaglider Fabrication Center was disbanded, UW had several gliders that were not being used, so in collaboration with the School of Oceanography, the Student Seaglider Center is refurbishing gliders and making them able for student use.

More information on seagliders here.