# ADCP Alternative: The Spotter Platform lowers the cost and complexity of measuring subsurface ocean currents

Many marine professionals are moving away from Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) and other legacy current measurement solutions in favor of Sofar’s Spotter Platform.

Sofar Ocean

Dec 13, 2024

### ADCP alternative: The Spotter Platform lowers the cost and complexity of measuring subsurface ocean currents

_Marine professionals can easily deploy the Spotter Platform from small boats to collect real-time ocean data. This approach avoids the use of dive teams or large vessels, both of which are typically required for logistically complex ADCP deployments._

### Measuring currents is historically expensive and technically challenging

Subsurface ocean currents data holds immense value for a range of marine professionals. Whether it's physical oceanographers analyzing wave-current dynamics or engineers evaluating baseline currents for offshore wind projects, real-time access to current speed and direction enhances both the safety and efficiency of ocean research and operations.

Existing subsurface current measurement solutions, however, are insufficient. Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), for example, are typically expensive, require a large vessel and a complex frame to deploy, do not transmit data in real-time, lose accuracy near the surface, and cannot be deployed in all ocean conditions. More affordable approaches, such as using data collected by a tidal station, restrict marine professionals’ capacity to access observations at a site of their choosing or at the necessary level of granularity.

Ultimately, many marine professionals spend a lot of time and money and employ a mix of multiple solutions, only to access current data that is not at their desired resolution or not available in real-time.

_A Spotter Platform with an integrated Aanderaa 4830 ZPulse® Doppler Current Sensor is lowered into the water by hand. Deploying a Spotter is a simple process that can be conducted from a small boat with limited personnel._

### Sofar Ocean has developed a better way to measure subsurface currents

Many marine professionals are moving away from ADCPs and other legacy current measurement solutions in favor of Sofar’s Spotter Platform. Spotter makes it easy to collect subsurface current data at scale. The extensible ocean sensing platform collects real-time measurements of current speed and direction, and transmits them in real-time via satellite and cellular to enable remote accessibility. These observations can be colocated with Spotter’s other surface and subsurface measurements: waves, wind, temperature, pressure, dissolved oxygen, acoustics, and more.

Here’s how Spotter differentiates from the industry standard ADCP:

| Feature | Spotter Platform | Typical ADCP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ocean measurement capabilities | Multi-purpose: currents, waves, wind, barometric pressure, sea surface temperature, etc. | Primary focus: currents |
| Total cost of ownership | Low | Very high |
| Deployment & recovery | By hand in a small boat with limited personnel | Large boat and dive team required |
| Data access | Remotely accessible, sent in real-time via satellite/cellular | Delayed until recovery |

### Field comparison: Spotter makes observations of subsurface current speed and direction that are nearly identical to those made by an ADCP

In a 24-day field comparison, Spotter made observations of current speed and direction that were nearly identical to those made by an ADCP. Spotter was easier to deploy and recover than the ADCP, and the ocean data it collected was significantly easier to access.

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_Observations of current speed (top) and direction (bottom) made by Spotter (blue, "Aanderaa ZPulse") and the ADCP (red, "RDI Workhorse") were nearly identical during the 24-day deployment._

_Regression model for current speed data collected by Spotter (y-axis, "Aanderaa ZPulse Speed") and the ADCP (x-axis, "RDI Workhorse Speed"). The model identifies strong linear curve fit._

### Spotter is trusted by marine professionals across ocean industry, government, and research for collecting real-time surface and subsurface data.

> _“The [Spotter Platform] is a game changer for the collection of real-time ocean current data,” said Cooke Aquaculture Corporate Engineer Adam Turner. “The system is easy to deploy, the data is reliable, and the insights provided are incredibly valuable for the operation of our fish farms._

Marine professionals across the blue economy are choosing Spotter to efficiently collect ocean data at scale. Industries benefiting from Spotter’s real-time surface and subsurface observations include:

- Offshore oil & gas
- Offshore wind
- Dredging & marine construction
- Offshore aquaculture & mariculture
- Marine science & oceanographic research
- Port operations & management
- Coastal resilience
- Civil government
- Maritime defense & security

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_Marine professionals can remotely access all observations of current speed and direction, including real-time data and historical time series, using the Spotter Dashboard (above) and API._

Interested to learn more about our Spotter Platform and its subsurface current measurement capabilities? Book a call to talk with one of our sales team experts below.