Howdy all,
I have some exciting updates to share with you, so let’s dive in! For the last two weeks, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside ship crew, researchers, engineers, and fellow marine technicians to conduct a multi-leg sea scallop survey aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp. This survey aims to gather data regarding regional sea scallop populations, their maturity, and their range. It’s a joint effort involving the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and various other universities. The data we collect will help shape fisheries policy for years to come and is essential for understanding changes in scallop population trends!
– The R/V Hugh R. Sharp at port in Woods Hole, MA
To collect this data, we’re using some awesome tech on the Sharp, including a specially designed habitat camera (which looks like a giant stripped down derby car) and an autonomous underwater vehicle (which looks like a giant hotdog).
– The derby car aka habitat camera aka HabCam
– The hot dog aka autonomous underwater vehicle aka AUV
The HabCam is a large (and heavy) vehicle packed with a system of CTD sensors, cameras, flashes, sonar, and an altimeter, all wrapped in a sturdy steel frame that is towed behind the vessel. The HabCam is piloted about 2 meters above the sea floor, capturing three images per second. These images are transmitted to the Sharp via fiber optic cable and are immediately interpreted by two teams of annotators working 12-hour shifts. These annotators play a challenging game of Where’s Waldo as they search for and measure sea scallops in each image. As I write this post partway through Leg 2, some annotators have scanned through approximately 11,000 images!
-Piloting the HabCam! Notice the sonar, tension/payout graph, LCI90i winch controller (the cosole I have my hand on), and depth readout
The HabCam is essential for this survey, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. During Leg 1, moisture found its way between the fiber optic cable and its bulkhead connector, distorting the light data signal and causing a loss of communication with the vehicle. We had to interrupt Leg 1 and port in Woods Hole early to get the necessary parts and equipment for repairs. While this was an unfortunate setback, it did give me the chance to perform fiber optic splicing and troubleshooting. During our transit to Woods Hole, the AUV stepped up, capturing vital seafloor data and then meeting the boat after. Now in Leg 2, we’ve had a mix of successes and setbacks. The HabCam worked perfectly for the first few days, but high winds in the survey area have forced us to wait behind Nantucket for the last few days. These high winds are generating large waves that could stress the tow cable’s safe working limit, and we don’t want to risk losing the HabCam to rough seas!
Besides troubleshooting and maintaining the HabCam system, I’ve gained a lot of hands-on experience under the guidance of Sharp’s marine techs, Alex Dominguez (a fellow MATE alumni) and Christian Kernisan (lead tech)! Since coming aboard, I’ve had the opportunity to troubleshoot LCI-90i winch displays and a Knudsen 3260 echosounder deck box, learn about the Sharp’s data management protocols, review the ship’s network architecture, pilot the HabCam, and perform a variety of deck operations, including the launch and retrieval of the HabCam and AUV. The only experience I’m missing during this cruise is dredging for scallops since this task was outsourced to another ship! This would have been a great (and tasty) skill to learn. The rest of the crew has been incredibly welcoming, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with the engineers and researchers from WHOI and NOAA as well. One of my favorite parts about this job is the people you get to meet and this has been a great team to work with!
– Christian and Alex with some friends the HabCam picked up
-Gunnar, Christian, Zach, Cam, Huxley, Alex, and me (right to left)
In my next blog post, I’ll update you on the progress of my internship and dive into a little bit more detail about the hands-on technical experience I’m gaining and how I’m using it to be a better marine technician!
Until then,
Hunter