Week 3 with JASON
Monday (7/17)
Last morning at port! Today was spent discussing alterations such as adding a wrist camera to the port manipulator, so science is able to have views from both wrists when sampling hydrothermal vent sites as well as basket changes to house all of the sampling equipment and storage needs.
We then continued mobilization for the HUBER cruise with:
Securing and testing the SUPR water sampler.
Adjusting NISKIN water samplers.
Attaching the port manip wrist camera.
Predive checks.
We began our transit around 3pm. This should only be a day transit and are hopeful to dive tomorrow afternoon.
Tuesday (7/18)
For this cruise, I will remain on the 8 to 12 shift starting when we dive.
This morning we finished mobilization with:
Securing JASON’s electrical harness.
Completing a final predive check.
The first dive launched at 12:30pm and recovered at 9pm. We were able to pilot JASON down to approximately 1600 meters to position water sampling equipment near hydrothermal vents around Mount Axial.
Wednesday (7/19)
This cruise will entail daily dives if everything goes well.
This morning we launched JASON at 3am and I was able to work my 8am-12pm shift in the engineering/copilot seat. This position is where I will mainly work during my at-sea time, and it has responsibilities such as:
Overseeing vehicle functions, pressures, ground faults, gauges, etc.
Completing hourly checks on pressures, temps, winch system, and jetway voltage/amp output.
Operating/adjusting JASON’s cameras to help support pilot’s job.
Cable management.
At 8pm we recovered JASON and completed post dive checks.
Thursday (7/20)
4am launch! By this time, we are like a well-oiled machine. Each JASON team member takes part in the launch and recovery of the rov. Somedays I get to hold all the tether football floats while someone else clips them onto the cable, other days I am the one latching the floats. There are so many steps to launching and recovering, but we have trained again and again what to do, who will do what, and it has become muscle memory for most of us.
8am-12pm shift: Copiloted while collecting water samples from hydrothermal vents.
Recovered JASON by 6pm and completed post dive checks.
Friday (7/21)
Midnight launch did not go as planned this morning. When JASON was lowered into the water, a wave jolted the rov upward, which resulted in cable on the drum to loosen. This can be a huge issue, but with the quick thinking and communication of team members on the crane and in the control van, the situation was resolved, and adjustments made so we could successfully launch at 3am.
8am-12pm shift: Copiloted.
Recovered JASON at 4pm and completed post dive checks.
Saturday (7/22)
Another successful midnight launch.
8am-12pm shift: Copiloted. While overseeing the vehicle, I noticed a leak in the wrist of the port manipulator. I informed the pilot, and that arm was stowed to stop the leak.
4pm: Recovered rov and swapped out leaky manip with a spare. Unfortunately, while I completed vehicle checks later in the evening, I noticed this spare arm was also leaking. I made sure to clean the area of possible residual oil from the change over, but upon observation, identified more oil seepage and notified my team lead. The arm was serviced, and a second comp system added to help support the arm in case the leak continued.
*At this time I was nicknamed “the problem finder” because I have a knack for finding air bubbles in tubing and hoses, water or air in j-boxes, and oil leaks…even really small ones. I just can’t wait until I can also be a fixer of all of these problems, I am able to identify.
Sunday (7/23)
Another midnight launch……and I copiloted for my 8am-12pm shift.
The vehicle was recovered and on deck at 4pm with hoped of a “quick” turn-around.
Launched JASON at 8pm and stood on “winch watch” until it was at a depth of 1500 meters.
From 9:15pm-12am I copiloted.
Tip of the Week: “Review and repeat”
I have adopted the habit of checking the vehicle’s comps, hoses, securings, connectors, bleed valves, etc. every time I am even near JASON. If we are standing nearby, I find myself surveying the parts nearest me, and even checking the ground for oil drops that could potentially be coming from a leak. This thoroughness and awareness of the vehicle allows one to pick up on issues that may present small in the beginning. Instead of just wiping away oil and forgetting about it, I wait and observe. Sometimes a leak is so small it takes several minutes for the oil to accumulate and form a droplet running down the arm. I try to practice this diligence every time I am in view of JASON, even if I am off shift. This potential leak could end a dive early, so it is important to identify it and resolve the problem. And as always, if you have questions or concerns, just ask your team lead.