The use of parachute drogues in the measurement of subsurface ocean currents

Abstract

A technique for the measurement of subsurface currents is described in which a standard parachute is used at depth as a sea anchor for a small surface float. By tracing a series of drogues set at various depths, a current profile may be obtained. Hydrodynamic corrections (amounting to about ten per cent of the shear) have been computed and other refinements incorporated which make this a feasible method for measuring the main structure of the major ocean currents down to depths where the current is five to ten per cent that of the surface current.