Which type of buoy typically has a maximum operating life of 12 minutes?

The BT buoy, or Bathythermograph buoy, is designed for the specific purpose of gathering temperature and depth information from the water column. Its maximum operating life of around 12 minutes is a characteristic of its deployment method and intended use. Typically, BT buoys are used in oceanographic studies where they transmit information rapidly over a short duration before they drift or are recovered. This short operational life is due to the limited battery resources and the nature of their deployment, often in environments where sustained operation is not feasible. Understanding the function and operational parameters of various types of buoys helps in recognizing their specific applications in maritime and oceanographic tasks, where timely data collection is essential.