when blufin is deployed does ocean shield
a)remain stationary
b) sail along the intended bluefin course
c) sail to the expected surfacing posion
BF is autonoumous. You can input whatever programmed course you want, and let it go.
It has an IRU, and once underwater, GPS will not work. You may drop pingers bounding a larger area, this way, the fish will communicate and triangulate its exact position underwater.
You program it to surface at intervals, 1. to charge the batteries, and 2 to download information thru sat uplink, 3 to receive/change instructions.
You can also program it to surface if a pre-determined event happens, such as a significant anomoly on the mag.
There is a pre-programmed destination, so if all else fails, it will go there for pickup.
Typically, the batteries will last about 24 hours, depending on depth and currents.
I would try to have a mag, sidescan, and PL on the fish...
For the surface support vessel, it should just keep mowing the lawn. You would save time by meeting it at the surface location and swapping out batteries/data pack, rather than wait for the solar charge/uplink.
EDIT: Its only gonna go about 3-4kts, so you dont have to go too far in 12/24 hours