Category: MATE Blog Archive Page 26 of 89

This week has been a wealth of new information. Since we are dockside waiting for the new engines, we have lots more time to dive into learning about networking and time to complete jobs around the vessel. To start off on learning about networking the Marine Tech explained the flow through water system we have onboard and how those instruments connected to it send the data to the tech space through physical connections. He explains that most problems that arise with the equipment onboard are through the physical layer connections, which is as simple as forgetting to plug a wire in or it shimmying out of place in rough seas. In everything we are learning about Internet Protocols (IP)m modems, switches, network programming, and PowerShell vs. command prompt. Slowly but surely, I am learning how computers are able to talk to each other. In the process about learning about networking and how information is sent. With the help of YouTube videos, I am able to get a better grasp at these concepts and dive further into them on my free time. The Marine Tech explained how the data collected onboard is sent to Columbia University and added to an online database that compiles raw data from 49 vessels. This database includes 8,655 cruises and 13,805,504 downloadable files. All this data is available to the public at www.rvdata.us.

For vessel work we have been working on the AC system with cleaning the sea strainer and checking refrigerant pressures and the temperature associated with that part of the system. We then compare those values to pressure-temperature charts based on the type of refrigerant used. Our next job was the hot water system. We were having problems were sometimes there would be no cold water, only hot water coming out of the spicket when the cold water was turned on. To begin, the engineer get us a run through of the system and how we have a recirculating system which allows for us to have hot water on demand and not waiting some time wasting water. After isolating certain areas of the system, we figured out that one of the check valves was not working and/or broken. This allows the heated, recirculating water to enter the cold water supply pipes, and enter our drinking water. Another small job we completed was using 5200, a permanent marine adhesive sealant, to prevent the ignition, on the fast boat, from spinning when the key was turned to start the engine. We “locked” it in place. The last small jobs to finish this week was to add Sikaflex, a marine watertight sealing adhesive, to the through hull wires that came into the bridge and galley and then to replace the valves for the water hose spicket on the bow and adding the male adapter end to the hose so we can attach a sprayer nozzle.

For the weekly marine life that has been spotted, while working of the ignition of the fast boat we saw a Southern Stingray swim under the vessel.

Past and present MATE interns from the last cruise. From left to right: Alesha (F.G. Walton Smith, Summer ’22), Kyle (F.G. Walton Smith, Summer ’22), Sebastian (Hugh R. Sharp, Summer ’19, now a scientist onboard), and Jon (F.G. Walton Smith, ’20, now the Chief Engineer)

Following our exciting week out at sea, we have arrived at the dock and are spending each morning with the Marine Tech going through the Local Area Network (LAN) Infrastructure and how the sensors and scientific equipment communicate to each other. We are then spending the afternoons with the Assistant Engineer going through figuring out projects that have been on the list to do for awhile as we await the new Cummins Diesel Engines to be delivered for the Engine Overhaul scheduled on June 16th. These projects include replacing a torn rubber seal on the diaphragm pump for the head system, changing out faulty relays for the A/C compressor system, recharging the A/C compressor refrigerant, and fixing a faulty check valve in the hot water recirculation system as it is mixing with the potable water. 

I have been learning a lot working with the Marine Tech on how data from sensors are packaged, read, transported, and understood by computers as the physical layers of voltages and amps become this sort of metaphysical data stream. It is quite interesting as the further I dive into it, the more boggling it gets, how we can convert something tangible (but not perceptible to the human eye; electrons) turn it into something intangible (a bitt or packet of information) and transport that across atmospheric space, between systems, to receive and be able to comprehend the information on the other side. From working with Dennis, I think most computer engineers would argue that none of it is actually intangible, but to me it is very abstract. However, I am enjoying the process of learning about Internet Protocols (IP), Firewalls, Modems, Switches, Access Points, Software vs. Hardware, and Network Programming. I have been learning a lot about binary and hexidecimal languages as well. I am beginning to understand that is how these scientific instruments are communicating via the network of operating systems and storage devices. This is very important as a Marine Tech as understanding the basics and layers of the local network and how the local network connects to the wide area network (WAN) or satellite connections while out to sea can help when troubleshooting issues that arise in the tech. Dennis has us learning the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model, which describes 7 layers of interfacing with the equipment; the physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, and application layers. Dennis has made it clear that 99% of the time when troubleshooting the problem lies in the physical layer between connections and electrical terminations. We are beginning to learn the tools of how to troubleshoot network issues and establish connections to the equipment. It is also in the plan in the next couple of weeks to get some practical experience making new connections and terminations to the 3-2-2 cable and parts of the seabird CTD. Looking forward to that experience!

As a tertiary (but also super important) element to this internship I am enjoying the networking and relationships that I am forming with the crew and scientists, as there is a stark contrast from the climate onboard the F.G. Walton Smith research vessel with the tugboats I am used to working on. It is a collaborative, interesting, and thoughtful work environment that is both challenging and rewarding! Everyone shares enthusiasm for the environment, animals, and learning, which promotes everyone to become interested and involved in different areas of research or technical expertise. Here is a picture featuring Alesha Gregroire (left), Jonathan Raymond (Far Right), Sebastian DiGeronimo (Middle Right), and I (Middle Left) all Mate Interns at one point sharing our experiences after the cruise! Below that is a picture of the stern of the R/V F.G. Walton Smith with the CTD connected by the 3-2-2 wire to the starboard side hydraulic winch drum.

Week 2 was very similar to Week 1, as we finished the second cruise at the end of the week. As time progressed and I had more time on the aft controls, I got more comfortable with maneuvering the boat during CTD casts. I also got to interact with the scientists onboard helping them recover the CTD on deck and learning the computer aspects to deploying a CTD with knowing how deep it is, the depth until it reaches the bottom, how to fire Niskin bottles, and a lot more. During my down time onboard I had the chance to play card games and learn a new one, Scopa, an Italian card game. 
On the way back to the docks, the port engine had troubles once more. This time it was a coolant problem, we had none. Because of that, more coolant was added to the engine and the engineer wasn’t sure if it was a quick or slow leak, so every 15 minutes levels were checked along with engine temperature to try and figure out the problem. It was in fact a slow leak because after 2 hours of checking, the levels were staying the same and the engine temperature was staying consistent. Right before we entered Biscayne Bay, for the final stretch before the docks, we heard a distress call over the radio. All crew was up on the bridge wing looking for flares and informing the Coast Guard of their location.  Once we finally made it back to the docks and tied up it was time to relax for a nice 3 day weekend. It was spent relaxing at the beach, exploring the area on some bikes (getting caught in the beginning of the thunderstorm) and SCUBA diving were I saw many Florida lobsters “bugs”, massive sea stars, lion fish, tarpon, a nurse shark, an eagle ray, some barracuda, and conch.
I cannot wait for more weeks to come to learn more. 

Cape Florida lighthouse, built in 1825, on Key Biscayne, FL. This is the oldest structure in Miami-Dade and has survived almost 200 years of hurricanes. Today, the lighthouse is a cultural landmark and part of the National Register of Historic Places. 

Today, marks my seventh day onboard the F.G. Walton Smith and it has been a bundle of great experiences so far! On the first day, I arrived to the RSMAS campus after a long redeye flight just in time to meet with the Marine Operations Manager, Don Cucchiara, and the whole shoreside team. We caught the lines for the F.G. Walton Smith as it returned from a 4-day cruise diving to recover a few 3-5 year old moorings off the coast of Jupiter, Florida. While underway on that cruise, the crew was having trouble keeping the port main engine alive, so they were limping back to the dock on one engine. 

My introduction to the ship and the crew was quick as I dove right in! Right away the Chief Engineer and previous Mate Intern, Jonathan Raymond, took me and Alesha Gregroire to troubleshoot the engine. We first tried to switch the Fuel Actuator and High Pressure Sensor from the starboard engine to the port engine as we wanted to test if those had gone bad on the portside. We also tested the connections with a multimeter to see if there was a short somewhere in the Engine Control Module (ECM). Finally, we deduced that the ECM was cutting power to the engine when it sensed there was a problem with something internal. As the engines are upon their death bed at a little over my age, 22-23 years, it was decided for the next cruise we would bypass the ECM on the port main engine. Essentially, we hotwired the solenoid of the ECM straight to the battery as we didn’t have time to find out what the internal problem was. 

The second day, we spent some more time with the engine as we figured out it couldn’t be shut down with the bypass wire. So, we added a switch. There was also a problem with the head system as it wasn’t providing enough suction. So, we replaced some duckbill valves by the pump. We helped load stores when the cook arrived and helped load the scientists gear when they arrived as well.

At 0400 on Friday, we set sail with both engines up and running on a 7-day cruise to collect water samples and CTD profiles from stations outside of Miami down to Key West and back around to Tampa and Florida Bay. Onboard there were scientists working from NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab (AOML), the MOTE Marine Lab, and Kristin Buck’s Lab at the University of South Florida (USF). This was a great introduction and experience to research vessel operations as Alesha and I learned how to deploy and recover the CTD, Net Tows, and collect trace metal Samples over the side. We also stood navigational bridge watches and learned new card games from the scientists. 

By the third day of the cruise, the F.G. Walton Smith was becoming super hot as the A/C system was struggling in the Florida humidity. Jonathan and I took a look into the compressor system and found numerous pinhole leaks, which were contributing to loss of cooling abilities. We worked to fix the leaks and everyone onboard was grateful to have the A/C back up and running as it was 82 degrees with 90% humidity throughout the trip. 

Watches were exciting as their was plenty of life to watch between pelicans divebombing fish, dolphin pods following the ship, and bioluminescence at night. There were also plenty of boats to avoid as Florida is riddled with amateur boaters and crazy for fishing. 

This has been a great experience so far and looking forward to spending more time with the crew!