Pioneer Array Relocation

The Pioneer Array was initiated in 2016 as a re-locatable coastal array suitable for moderate wave and current regimes on the continental shelf and upper slope. The Pioneer Array is currently located off the coast of New England. It consists of cross-shelf moored arrays and autonomous vehicles that enable examination of upwelling, shelf break fronts, and cross-shelf exchanges.

After a two-phase Innovations Lab series between January and June of 2021, a new location was decided upon in the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight. The Pioneer Array relocation is planned during 2024.

Southern MAB Pioneer Array regions. The red box indicates the region where moorings would be located and the larger green box indicates the region where mobile assets (gliders and AUVs) would operate. Image and caption from OOI website.

Timeline of Activities

Phase 1 Innovations Lab

  • January 13, 2021 – The Pioneer Array Phase 1 Micro Lab is held by the NSF and OOIFB to answer questions about a potential Pioneer Array move.
  • March 15-19, 2021 – The Pioneer Array Phase 1 Innovations Lab is held to provide recommendations on the next location for the Pioneer Array. 
  • April 30, 2021 – NSF announces that the next location of the OOI Coastal Pioneer Array is the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB).

Phase 2 Innovations Lab

  • May 3-31, 2021 – Applications to participate in the Pioneer Array Phase 2 Innovations Lab are open.
  • May 12, 2021 – The Pioneer Array Phase 2 Micro Lab is held.
  • June 21-25, 2021 – The Pioneer Array Phase 2 Innovations Lab is held to collect recommendations on how the Pioneer Array configuration can be optimized at its new location in the Mid Atlantic Bight.

Post Innovations Lab

Additional Resources

Pioneer Array – Questions and Answers

Process and Goals for selecting a new location of the Pioneer Array

Technical considerations for relocating the Pioneer Array

Why relocate the Pioneer Array?

OOI Pioneer Array to Relocate to MAB