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My oh my, how the time is flying by! Another week in the books from Monday August 14th to Monday, August 21st of the first leg in the Kelley Cruise series. This leg focused on utilizing JASON to carry down equipment ranging from BEPs (benthic environment profilers), to junction boxes (power supply boxes essentially), and undervators which are extremely large and heavy under-water elevators (thus the name undervator) which we used to transport camera and light systems to the seafloor.

We started out of port on Monday and immediately switched to our 12-hour shifts. I was assigned to the 12am-12pm shift, which took a couple days to adjust to. This is set up so teams can work 24/7, with each team consisting of 5 people: 2 pilots, 1 engineering position, 1 navigator, and 1 data/support person. My role continues to be in the engineering position. This expedition entailed multiple dives each shift usually. We would latch JASON onto the science equipment on deck, crane it over, and gently fly it to the seafloor where the rov would detach, assemble, plug in, and turn on these pieces to start collecting data. Once completed, JASON would then load up the older equipment and bring it up, where it was unloaded on deck. This swapping of equipment was done quickly but carefully. The larger loads can be dangerous to launch with JASON, especially when applying the tether floats in large swells. The load sway can create slack in the tether cable and then snap back with thousands of pounds of force, so communication with the football handlers (myself included) and the crane operator were very important.

Our multi-dive shifts continued throughout the week until the weather worsened with high winds, waves, and large swells. Unfortunately, this led to a weather hold which lasted Saturday and Sunday. By Monday morning the weather calmed, and we were able to get back to diving! We started out at an 80-meter site, which is a new one for me! These shallow dives can be very challenging, but we were able to launch a dive test first at 9am and successfully completed it. By 11:15am we recovered JASON and finished post dive checks so that the next shift would be dive-ready!

We only have 1 more day left before returning to port, but the new experiences I have gained in the last week alone is incredible! I look forward to what tomorrow brings!

Tip of the week: “Team building is a must.”

In a career like this one, you become close with the members of your team not just because you are on a ship for weeks on end, but because you work together for a goal: to maintain and operate JASON to complete all science objectives. All aspects of doing this requires a level of trust and respect, knowing that we each have a vital position in making this happen. There was no better representation of this than a few days ago, when the weather worsened, and my team had to recover JASON carrying a heavy BEP in the dark. Myself and another team member were removing the tether floats, timing each one just right to avoid the dangers of the slack-snap but without seeing the wave actions. Thankfully, our crane operator had a light out to monitor the water and would call out to us when the small few seconds of a window would open for us to safely get in and remove a float. Yes, this process took some time, but we were able to finish it without injury, and safely load both JASON and the BEP back onto the deck. Without this trust and communication, the likelihood of a serious injury happening would be extremely high. I consider myself privileged to be working alongside these amazing individuals.

6th week with JASON – WHOI

Monday, August 7th – Sunday, August 13th

The new week marked the end of the Orcutt Cruise as we began transit back to port. Unfortunately we hit a few “bumps” in the cruise and are heading home with a faulty winch/level-wind system and an elusive ground fault in the temperature probe that we have been unable to track down. The demob kicked off with emptying the vehicle’s oils to remove science cables from the j-boxes, repeated test casts to try and identify the level-wind issue, and clearing out the rov’s front basket to prepare for the next mission.

Once at port, the team detached JASON’s sled and swapped it out for a heavier, slightly shorter sled made for the heavy lifting Kelley Cruise. The last cruise is actually broken up into 4 legs, each lasting between 1-2 weeks and will go until the end of my at-sea internship, approximately September 20th. The days this week were spent mobilizing for this new, highly-technical cruise. I have been informed that when we leave port, the first dive will be within a couple hours and only 80 meters deep. We will be launching JASON up to 5 times a day to transport equipment to the seafloor, bring up old set-ups, and make adjustments/altercations as requested by the science/engineering party. The shifts will also be changing to 12 hour on/off shifts. Each shift will consist of 5 people; 3 in the control van and 2 on deck for launch/recoveries. This is a welcome change from the split shifts primarily because during your 12 hours off, you get the full 12 hours. Even if there are issues with the vehicle, the shift that is on is the only one that responds.

The weekend was spent reterminating the tether cable and completing a pull test. After that was successful, I was able to spend an afternoon prepping and splicing the optical fibers, fed it into JASON’s mainframe, connected and tested them to ensure acceptable light levels. It was my first solo optical fiber term and I was able to do it next to the vehicle, during high wind gusts, and constant crane operations overhead. It tested my focus but I really enjoyed doing it!

By Sunday, we finished all repairs and maintenance and were ready to leave port. Unfortunately, due to high winds offshore, the departure was pushed to tomorrow. I am looking forward to the new style of dives and fast-paced, technical aspects of this cruise.

Tip of the week: “Treat yourself”

It can be hard being away from home/family for long periods of time, but one perk of coming back to port is that you can receive packages that either were sent to you or that you ordered. Since coming out, I have ordered some colder-weather gear and it was almost Christmas-like when we loaded everyone’s mail onto the ship. Some people get mail from their loved ones, and others get the packages and shipments they purchased while at sea. It is also a nice treat to order some snacks or healthy options (whatever you prefer) to have while you are working. There are some snacks/food in the mess hall, but there is something special about having your own little snack station at your desk area. The comfort of your favorite treat is a little reprieve you can get while so far away from home.

For me, I like to have a bag of jerky, honey roasted pistachios, peanut butter m&m’s, electrolyte packets to flavor my water, and protein powder to have. It is a little mix of healthy and snacky that suits me just right!

During week two we hit our stride with diving and in turn, I feel like I got into a routine. During the cruise, I worked the 8-12 shift, working 4s was a new concept to me. This took some initial adjustment as I was unable to get a full eight hours of sleep in one go. I eventually settled into a routine of sleeping 6 hours at night and taking a two-hour nap during the day. We continued to have fantastic weather and we even saw the northern lights! I don’t think we could’ve asked for better conditions. 
 
Despite our trouble launching at the start of the trip, we eventually had back-to-back successful dives and even found ourselves ahead of schedule at one point. When this happens the Jason team allows time for pilot training, during which I was allowed to pilot and operate the arms! Being able to control Jason was easily the highlight of my trip, it was such a cool experience. The breakdown of diving operations is fascinating to me. On each watch, three operators act as pilot, engineer, and navigator. The pilot is responsible for the operation of the vehicle and dictates to the rest of the team how to assist the vehicle. The navigator’s primary responsibility is to coordinate with the bridge on moving the ship, and the engineer helps run the cameras, winch, and auxiliary Jason functions (like the hydraulics and power).
 
Further into the cruise, we ended up having more difficulties. The level wind system to coil cable was acting up and the team spent much of their free time trying to fix this issue (including the transit back to shore). Once on shore we had a post-cruise party and continued maintenance Jason. I departed on the 9th.  As quickly as it started my time aboard the Thompson has ended, I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity. It has truly been life-changing

My brief stint as pilot:

Me assisting in post dive check of Jason:

Weeks 4 & 5 with JASON

Holy wow! The last two weeks have been very eventful!

The 4th week we wrapped up the HUBER cruise with 2 more successful dives where we completed water sampling objectives and began our transit back and arrived in port on Wednesday, July 26th. The team got right into demobilization mode and we spent the next 3 days replacing the winch level-wind motor, removing the SUPR sampler from JASON’s aft underbelly, drained the j-boxes and removed all of the science cables/wiring. The most exciting part of this demob for me was that I got to complete a retermination of JASON’s optical fiber on Thursday July 27th. I started at 8am and was overseen by the lead ET (electrical technician). I was able to follow the manual and complete the entire process, including wiring the finished fibers into JASON’s port-aft j-box and testing to ensure minimum signal loss.

On Friday, July 28th, the leaving team members and science crew departed, and it gave those of us staying the chance to relax while also moving our rooms to prepare for a much larger science party to come aboard the following day.

Saturday, July 29th was the official start of the Orcutt Cruise. New JASON and science team members arrived and by 8am, and mobilization began. The port manipulator has to be broken down and repaired since it has started leaking during the last couple dives. The next 3 days our team wired in new science cables, arranged and secured new equipment and mounts on the basket, built and assembled 18 push cores for sediment sampling, filled the vehicle with oil, bled all lines, comps, and thrusters, and made sure the electrical harness was solid. The Thompson departed port on Monday, July 31st and JASON’s predive checks were completed.

5th week:

We launched our first dive on Tuesday, August 1st and continued to recover and launch almost daily until our last recovery on Sunday, August 6th. This last week of dives were successful, but the team faces numerous challenges ranging from port manip leaks, port swing-arm actuator leaks, air motor replacement, temperature probe ground faults, and winch issues. Each one, the JASON team tackled together, and the turn around time for repairs was amazing. This team really loves what they do and are dedicated to vehicle maintenance to ensure science objectives are met. It can be quite daunting when things seem to go wrong, but this crew faces what is in front of them, one thing at a time, and still take the time to teach others about this amazing system.

In the mix of trouble shooting, diving, and water sampling from corks, I was given the opportunity to fly JASON while transiting to new locations. It was so exciting, I felt like I leapt into the main chair! I was able to practice my lateral transiting, landing on fine sediment surfaces without kicking up dust, and centering the vehicle for science cam visuals. It was a blast and I even got to stop and check out a skate, weird sea cucumber-like tailed marine life, and a sort of bubble-like growth at depths of 2600 meters. I still gasp when I see new marine life and absolutely love every minute of being out here. 

The Orcutt cruise dives came to and end Sunday, August 6th when the winch level-wind started making an intense, vibration sound. This lead to cutting the last dive short, but we were able to complete all of the testing and science equipment retrieval before recovering the rov. As we head back to port, we will begin demobilization and continue testing the winch system to identify exactly what this reoccurring issue is.

Tip of the week: Find some balance.

Having a career out at sea has its own set of challenges. Being away from home and loved ones can be a hard thing to adjust to, but also finding some sort of balance for yourself. Some people enjoy watching movies, reading books, or exercising. It is important to find a little “you” time while out here. I try and stick to a schedule, even though it can change considering what is happening at that very moment. Luckily, we have a small gym room, and I really enjoy working out. It is a little time for myself to stay active, work off stress or overthinking, and I always feel better after. Whatever helps ground you, I suggest making time each day for it. Especially if you are staying out for months at a time.