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Photos: Floating computers keep an eye on the oceans
Part of a programme to improve the understanding of the world's oceans

By Tim Ferguson

Published: Wednesday 21 November 2007

The Argo programme was started back in 2000 – with the first UK float deployed in 2001 - and by the beginning of November this year there were around 3,000 of these floating computers in operation.

To maintain this level, around 800 Argo floats need to be deployed per year - at a total cost of £12m - as deployed devices reach the end of their working life.

The UK part of the programme is jointly funded by Defra, the MoD and the Natural Environment Research Council.

Picture credit: UCSD