Week 2 with JASON
Monday (7/10)
This was a day of transiting spent servicing parts and completing predive checks to ensure JASON is ready to dive at midnight.
The next set of dives are considered “bounce” dives, where the rov will carry down new science equipment to swap out with older ones on the ocean floor.
Tuesday (7/11)
12am – Successfully launched JASON to complete the first “bounce” dive. The depth is more shallow, only 650-700 meters. Science equipment was switched out efficiently and we recovered by 2:30am.
6am – Prepared JASON for another “bounce” dive, but while launching faced some mechanical issues and aborted dive. The team worked together to identify and resolve the issue at hand, and we were able to resume diving.
1:30pm – Completed a second “bounce” dive to exchange equipment at the same depth and has JASON back on deck by 3:30pm.
Post-dive checks were completed, and new science equipment was secured for the next dive.
Wednesday (7/12)
Last dive for this expedition!
2pm – Launched JASON and switched out the last of the equipment on the ocean floor at a depth of 700 meters. The dive went smoothly and there was extra time to collect visual images of the area so science members could complete a mosaic of the study area. During the collection, everyone was able to enjoy a vast assortment of marine life like octopus, fish, crabs, sponges, and corals.
6pm – Recovered ROV, completed post dives and began transiting back to port.
Thursday (7/13)
On the transit today we started our demobilization with:
Removed science cable wiring from the front port-side j-box.
Stripped down the front basket to prepare for the next cruise.
Drained the vehicle’s fluids and serviced the ROV.
The ship docked at 2pm and the team was able to have the rest of the afternoon off to relax. We ended up disk-golfing and having dinner at a local restaurant. This shorter cruise had gone quite well, and the science and rov team were satisfied with the amount of work completed.
Friday (7/14)
Today was spent servicing the rov. We reconnected hydraulic lines and equipment, filled the junction boxes with oil, secured all lines and hoses with zip-ties, cleaned and situated all pieces on the vehicle so it was neat, organized, and easily manipulated, if needed.
The science team departed this morning and the new one arrives tomorrow.
Saturday (7/15)
New day, new cruise!
Today began our official mobilization of the HUBER cruise. Some of the science team joined us on the R/V Thompson, while others’ schedules have them arriving tomorrow.
A few WHOI personnel flew out to help with this mob and I was able to reconnect with some who I worked with last summer.
This cruise will be heavy on the sampling side, so we began assembling and mounting:
The single bottle slurp system
A SUPR sampler for water samples
3 NISKIN water samplers
-I got to spend a few hours under JASON’s “belly” running and securing trigger lines. Although some of the mob duties require fitting into smaller places, I really like being able to “get inside” the rov and implement new tools for sampling.
Sunday (7/16)
Continuation of mobilization:
Rechecking mounts and lines from yesterday
Tested NISKIN trigger lines
Create a layout for the basket which will hold multiple sample bio-boxes, milk crates, 3 major water samplers, temperature probes, the slerp hose/handle, and other science equipment as needed.
Trained for operation and troubleshooting of the SUPR sampler.
Tip of the Week: “Safety first”
No matter what the situation is while at sea, always remember the most important thing: Safety First! This career focuses on maintaining and operating rov systems for science purposes, but one’s safety outweighs any equipment or operation at any time.
This is extremely important, especially when deploying or launching the rov. As the crane lifts JASON, we do help stabilize the vehicle with a person at each corner. For every lift/lower event, always remember to watch where you position your feet and hands. Equipment can be fixed and replaced, your health and well-being cannot.
Be safe out there!
