A number of marine biological, geological, and archaeological applications share the need for high-resolution optical and acoustic imaging of the sea floor. In particular, there is a compelling need to conduct studies in depths beyond those considered reasonable for divers (˜50 m) down to depths at the shelf edge and continental slope (˜1000--2000 m). Some of the constraints associated with such work include the requirement to work off of small coastal vessels or fishing boats of opportunity, and the requirement for the vehicle components to be air-shippable, to enable inexpensive deployments at far-flung oceanographic sites of interest. Over the last 2 and a half years, the Seabed Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) has been designed and deployed in the support of such tasks off of Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Stellwagen Bank off Massachusetts, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.