History and uses Message in a bottle

the u.s. coast , geodetic survey (c&gs) used drift bottles 1846 1966. more recently, technologies involving satellite tags, fixed current profilers , satellite communication have permitted more efficient analysis of ocean currents: @ given time, thousands of modern drifters transmit current position, temperature, velocity, etc., satellites, avoiding conventional drift bottles dependence on serendipitous finds , cooperation conscientious citizens. agencies continue use drift bottles 21st century, increased awareness man-made floating items can harm marine life or constitute waste material, biodegradable drift cards , biodegradable wooden drifters gaining favor.

drift bottle studies have provided simple way learn non-tidal movement of waters containing eggs , larvae of commercially important fishes, sharing among fisheries scientists , oceanographers. such experiments simulate travel of pollutants such oil spills, study formation of ocean gyre garbage patches, , suggest travel paths of invasive species. persistent currents detected allow ships ride favorable currents , avoid opposing currents. projected travel paths of navigation hazards, such naval mines, advise safer shipping routes. outside science, many launch bottled messages find pen pals, bottle preachers have sent sermon bottles, propaganda-bearing bottles have been directed @ foreign shores, , survivors have sent deceased loved ones ashes on final journey. estimated in 2009 since mid-1900s, 6 million bottled messages had been released, including 500,000 oceanographers.