FIELD: marine geophysics, measuring and recording hydrological characteristics of water, such as pressure, temperature, salinity by means of autonomous underwater probes. SUBSTANCE: device has information gathering unit which is located on sea surface and has receiving hydroacoustic antenna, corresponding means for processing and recording of received signals as well as underwater autonomous probe which contains autonomous power supply, timer, meter of hydrological characteristics, generator of signals and serial circuit of amplifier and transmitting hydroacoustic antenna. All units are located in sealed housing. Output of timer is connected to control input of meter of hydrological characteristics and signal generation unit, which information input is connected to output of meter of hydrological characteristics. In addition autonomous probe has memory unit, subtraction unit, absolute value calculation unit, regulation step adjustment unit, comparison unit, function generator, transmission power adjustment unit. Corresponding method involves taking information gathering unit on water area surface, detection of dependency of signal transmission power from autonomous probe on its submergence depth taking into account stability to noise, regulation of transmission power of signal from autonomous probe according to submergence depth, transmission power is measured each time when alternation of hydrostatic pressure by value which is greater than threshold is detected. EFFECT: increased functional capabilities. 2 cl, 1 dwg
