its last visit was abandoned.

The Autosub project is now in full swing at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, carrying out ground-breaking underwater trials to provide invaluable ocean data.

The sub, sponsored by the US National Science Foundation and the UK National Environmental Resource Council, is only seven feet in length but has massive capability to gather information.

Powered by 2,500 regular-sized batteries, the unmanned seven-foot vehicle is laden with scientific equipment and can follow the contours of the ocean, either remotely or on a pre-determind path.

Its first visit took place in June but was cut short after a battery explosion damaged the sub, and it had to be shipped back to the UK.

This visit has gone more smoothly and scientists from the Southampton Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK, at BBSR have been launching the sub at sea, for detailed ocean experiments.

It is collecting information on ocean temperature, salinity and depth -- data that is difficult to gather from shipboard measurements.

And so far it has broken records for depth, reaching 220 metres, and for the longevity of the mission, 110 kilometres.

BBSR director Dr. Tony Knap said: " We are delighted to play a significant role in this project. We hope to be more involved with this type of cutting edge technology.'' Project Leader Nick Millard said the information gathered will give a better insight into the understanding of global climate change and ocean-atmosphere interactions.

He said: "It is something like an underwater satellite. You name it, we can put it on there.'' Other advantages include its ability to travel into previously inaccessible places, including those covered by ice, and to work in foul weather.

MARINE MISSION -- Scientists at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research line up with the Autosub, which is in Bermuda carrying out detailed ocean surveys. They are (from left to right) project leader Nick Millard, Pete Stevenson, Andy Webb, James Perrett, Miles Pebody and BBSR director Dr. Tony Knap.