MGDS Vocabulary Terms: platform_type

Aircraft, Powered airborne platform
Array, A complex platform type that is characterized by a suite of instruments/devices that are designed to operate as a unit.  Arrays can be towed or deployed on the seafloor. An example is a multi-channel seismic array.
ASV, Autonomous Surface Vehicle
AUV, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle such as ABE
Boat, A watercraft of modest size (smaller than a ship) that operates at the water surface.
Cabled Observatory, Infrastructure that enables live access to instruments on the seafloor via cabled connection.
CORK, Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kit. A sealed subseafloor Borehole Observatory
CTD, CTD cage to which other instruments can be attached
Elevator, A platform that is used to transport samples or equipment from the seafloor to the surface and vice versa.
Float, A platform that is carried passively by ocean currents
Float:Profiling, A free-moving platform that is equipped with sensors and records vertical profiles of water properties at regular time intervals.
Glider, A type of autonomous underwater vehicle that uses small changes in its buoyancy in order to move up and down like a profiling float. 
HOV, Human-Occupied Vehicles are submersibles that carry personnel. Alvin is an example.
HROV, A Hybrid Remote Operated Vehicle (HROV) is a submersible that can be operated in two different modes, either as a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) or an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
Mooring, An instrument platform typically attached to the seafloor
NotApplicable, Platform type either does not apply or cannot be known
NotProvided, Platform type was not provided but can be known
ROV, Remotely Operated Vehicles are tethered to their mother platform (typically a ship) from which the vehicle is operated. ROVs do not carry personnel. An example is Jason II.
Satellite, Space-borne instrument platform
Seismic:MCS, Used primarily for entry_event_line_set Multi-Channel Seismics
Seismic:SCS, Used primarily for entry_event_line_set Single-Channel Seismics
Ship, A large watercraft that operates at the water surface.
Sled, A frame on which devices are mounted. It is connected to a mother platform by a wire. It is without autonomous propulsion. Examples are WHOI TowCam, and WHOI DSL-120 platforms.
Thermosalinograph, Instrument that measures sea surface temperature and salinity using a water intake system
Tripod, A three-legged platform that can be equipped with a variety of devices.
USV, Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV)
WeatherStation, Collects multiple types of weather-related data