Drifter (floating device)

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Drifters are floating devices to investigate ocean currents. The major components of a drifter are a hollow bodies that ensures flotation (floats), "sails" to catch water currents, instruments (e.g., data collecting instruments, transmitter to transmit the collected data, and GPS device), and waterproof container for instruments. ^[1] Drifters are hi-tech evolution of the ocean current analysis by means of drift bottles, which is in its turn evolved from simple collection of data about messages in a bottle.

Drifters provide real-time information about ocean circulation which aids scientists in climate modeling. They may also collect information about marine life, such as distribution of plankton. ^[1]