Category: MATE Blog Archive Page 67 of 89

Posts that were imported from the historical MATE blog at marinetech.org

Hello again!
I have finally returned from my hiatus back at home in Minnesota and
now come to you all the way from sunny Bermuda. Being home was quite
a nice and unexpected break, especially after nearly 7 weeks at sea on
my last cruise in Hawaii but it feels good to be back on the water
again. I am now aboard the R/V Atlantic Explorer (AE) where I will
finish out the last 3 months of my internship.

It has been really interesting to see all the differences between the R/V Kilo Moana (KM)
and this ship and the most obvious one is the size. The KM was very
distinct in that it was a double hulled ship which made it over twice
as wide as the AE. It could carry over 50 people (crew and
scientists), had a very spacious back deck, a large galley, big
storage spaces, etc. The AE has about half of all of those things
which has affected many different aspects of my time here already!
First and foremost of these is that I really haven’t been lost at all
on the ship (yay me!). I spent the first couple of weeks in Hawaii
trying to figure out the very bizarre layout of the ship. Even when I
knew my way around it pretty well I still managed to turn a corner
every now and then and end up someplace I didn’t even know was there!
So far I have found the layout here to be a little less confusing
which I am always a fan of.

   Another thing that is very different is the positioning of one of
the most commonly used pieces of equipment in oceanographic work: the
CTD. On the KM everything went into the water from the back deck
because of the ample space available there, the layout of the ship,
and because that is where the A-frame is. Here on the AE the CTD goes
into the water from the side of the ship. They have a large A-frame
across the back deck for most pieces of equipment, but they also have
a smaller A-frame and launching site along the starboard side that is
used basically just for the CTD. It calls for a little bit different
procedure for deploying the CTD than I was familiar with but it easy
to see how convenient it is to have an isolated position just for that
and how streamlined it makes the whole thing. It’s pretty nice and
definitely more to come about that.
         Already I have been out on a very short cruise to put some incubating
chambers into the water (they will stay out about month so we haven’t
recovered them yet) and done some CTD casts. This was basically a one
day cruise so we didn’t divide up the schedule into strict shifts like
we normally would have. Eventually most of us ended up being awake
all night doing CTD’s and wow was it intense. We were right on the
edge of a tropical storm and the waves were rocking. Also…another
minor difference that apparently has a big impact between ships is the
distance from the deck to the surface of the water. I would say the
KM had maybe 10-12 feet (ish) and the AE has maybe 2. The back deck
is considered a “wet deck” and boy was it ever. Waves came over the
side like crazy. One almost knocked me down and another one managed
to knock down another tech. The water just kept coming! It was hard
to deploy and recover the CTD because the waves were pretty large and
led to a ton of motion from the ship. Crazy adventure but I was
soaking wet by the end of it. Glad it was a short one?
      I will surely describe more differences and adventures as I go but I
will digress from that a little bit now. I want to show a little
appreciation to the people I have been so fortunate to meet so far.
The crew and scientists aboard the R/V Kilo Moana were SO good to me
for the whole time I was there. I was a little nervous to go into
this unknown world of marine technician-ing with no specific
background in it and very little direct experience and everyone
treated me so kindly and with ample amounts of patience. I learned
new things every day from the techs that were training me but also
from the AB’s that worked on the deck, the engineers that kept
everything running, the officers that ran the ship, and even the
scientists that were gathering samples. Amazing and wonderful people.
I have no doubt that I will get the same here in Bermuda. Already I
feel like a member of the team here and have been so welcomed! I
manage to feel a little bit more lucky every day.

Well I am currently on a cruise now and will fill you in more about it next week but for now that is all the time I have. More to come later!

Elizabeth

Pre-Internship – Post 1

By Kyle Yusen

On June 13, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, US Coast Guard, USCGC Healy

I’m about a week away from flying out to Honolulu, Hawaii to board the USCG Healy. My trek will take me from Hawaii to Seward, Alaska and will last about ten days. Although this voyage is seemingly shorter than your typical internship, I look forward to learning and experiencing everything this opportunity has to offer. My internship is set to begin on June 20th and last until June 29th (give or take a day or two).

My case is no exception to the apparent norm for the first pre-internship blog post; as I too have been scrambling to make sure all the neccessary paperwork and forms are completed in a timely fashion. With that said, I finally feel like I have all my “ducks in a row” and can truly begin to gear myself for this fantastic opportunity.

In my next post I intend on hitting the nitty-gritty parts of my specific voyage and plan on getting more in-depth with my specific duties and experiences aboard the Healy. I must take a second to thank everyone who has helped me along the way and provided me support and guidance to make this dream of an opportunity come true.

I look forward to keeping everyone updated on my quest,

Kyle Yusen

Week 3 Aboard the R/V Sharp

By Chris Petroff

On June 9, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Hugh R. Sharp, University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment

This has been a very busy week aboard the R/V Sharp. The first couple of days on the 2nd leg of the cruise was spent running HAB CAM operations. I have been going over the ship’s weather system, winch system, VIDDS system, and Flow Through system with KG. My job has been to create schematics of each system in power point to update the ships manual. Also, every day I record the data from the underway system, and use a sling psychrometer to get a relative humidity reading. I have to change the filter on the flow through system, and give it a fresh water flush about every other day.

After the first couple of days on the cruise, the HAB CAM was recovered, and we jumped right into dredging. We have been working a busy schedule, averaging in the neighborhood, of one dredge every hour. The science team has set up dredge stations in protected areas, that are closed to fishing, as well as areas that are open to harvesting scallops. The science team records the scallop catches, as well as any predators that feed on scallops, such as sea stars and crabs.

I have enjoyed working on deck assisting in deploying and recovering the dredge, and after the dredge hits the deck, we help the science team sort through the catch. We have also performed CTD cast at some of the stations, and KG has allowed me to prep the CTD to enter the water, as well as work on the computer end of things in the tech lab.

Yesterday, I got the chance to assist with performing a termination to the EM cable that goes to the CTD. On the last cast attempt we made, the EM cable jumped the sheave, and damaged the cable, so we had to repair it.

We are currently in port at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and the next group from the science team are coming aboard. The weather offshore may keep us at the dock an extra day. If it does, we may get to tour the new research vessel the Neil Armstrong, which would be pretty cool.

Till next time,

Chris Petroff

Hydrostation Time!

By Mason Schettig

On June 9, 2016

In Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences & Arizona State University, MATE Blog Archive, R/V Atlantic Explorer

So this past week has been filled with lots of fine tuning to get everything ready for our trip to Hydrostation S which is part of BATS (Bermuda Atlantic Time Series). BATS is the longest oceanographic research time series in the world which is an awesome event to be a part of. Another MATE intern (Elizabeth) has hopped onboard so we have been running heavy with MT’s the past few days.

This past Tuesday we took off and made our way to the Hydrostation with the seas being a little rougher than normal. First deployment was a custom made incubator ran by a scientist from Old Dominion University. This device had many serenges that would draw water in with each on having different agents in them to give specific details of the water. It had a long line with a weight pulling the device down and an acoustic release for when they are ready to recover the device which will be June 30th. After making sure the device was on the bottom (talking to it through a transducer) we made a CTD cast to the bottom collecting water samples in our Niskin Bottles on the way up.

After the bottom cast we made a 3 hour transit to the hydrostation were we would spend most of our time. The longer the trip lasted, the worse the weather and sea conditions got. We made a hand full of CTD casts throughout the day getting plenty of water samples for the BIOS science team. Once we started working into the night it started getting really rough and wet on the deck. It was the first time I had seen our crew use three tag lines just for a CTD cast and it was completely necessary. When coming back to dock we had to make a special trip around the island and spend a day in St. George because it was to windy to come in through our normal channel. All in all it was a great experience working in those conditions, makes one really appreciate calm days.

Now we are getting ready for a 7 day cruise with the BATS team from BIOS and we will be taking off June 12th (Sunday). We have only minor preparations to touch on tomorrow and then we will be ready to rock in roll. After this I will only have one more blog but I love the crew here and am so happy I was given this opportunity to work with BIOS.

All the best,

Mason Schettig

The End or the Beginning?

By Hannah Klooster

On June 9, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Sikuliaq, University of Alaska Fairbanks

This is the last week of my internship experience aboard the R/V Sikuliaq. In fact, today we have left the Jason ROV’s worksites area and have now begun the last leg of our journey that started in San Diego and went up the west coast to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

There have been seven Jason dives on this trip. Due to the transformer breaking and also due to weather issues, the Jason group was not able to dive as many times as they wanted to. However, we were able to get other data, such as multiple CTD’s, Multibeam surveys, and underway data.

I have been assisting with the CTD deployments, XBT’s deployments, and an extra assistant for the Jason deployments. I have also learned how to monitor the data received from the sensors, sonars, and other instruments and how to tell bad/abnormal data from good/normal data. I have learned many other things as well, such as; basic maritime knots, how to create a water-tight cable splice, and how to manage and save data. I was even able to fly the Jason around for a little while (picture attached below).

This experience has taught me more than just technical skills. It has taught me about living life on the water and the pros and cons of it. It has also taught me how to live and work well with many other people all stuck together in one 216 foot long space. It has been a great learning experience that I couldn’t have gained in many other places.

I am quite saddened to be going home and having to end this awesome experience. Despite the issues with the Jason ROV, this cruise went very well. No one was injured, there were no major issues on board, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Despite the fact that I will be boarding a plane and going home in two days’ time, I know that this is an experience that I will carry with me and that will influence my life for many years to come. It is the end of this cruise and of this internship, but it is only the beginning of my career on the water. I am truly honored to have been given this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this R/V Sikuliaq cruise. It has been quite the adventure!

-Hannah Klooster

A Quick Update

By Hannah Klooster

On June 4, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Sikuliaq, University of Alaska Fairbanks

The Jason ROV is all fixed and ready to go! We left Newport, Oregon, yesterday morning at 11:00 am and reached station for the Jason ROV’s worksite 01 around 4:30 pm yesterday afternoon. The Jason’s first dive took place at 4:00 am this morning. Before it was deployed, the Jason group had to calibrate the USBL on the centerboard deployed underneath the ship using triangulation.

The Jason ROV is bigger than any ROV I have personally worked with before, so it was quite exciting to be a part of. The live feed of the Jason’s cameras are broadcasted on multiple different televisions throughout the ship, so everyone can watch what’s happening. It is all quite incredible to finally see everything working.

– Hannah Klooster

Week Three – Back at the Dock

By Mason Schettig

On June 2, 2016

In Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences & Arizona State University, MATE Blog Archive, R/V Atlantic Explorer

So last Friday the R/V Atlantic Explorer made it back safe and sound from a very successful cruise. It was a great learning experience seeing how things are wrapped up at the end of a science research cruise. Once back at the dock it there was still a fair bit of work to demobilize. The spectacular Filopino crew worked quickly and efficiently using the crane to hoist the heavy equipment off the vessel and on the dock. I gathered with the other MT’s to the tech lab to clean up the data folders, organize it in a neat/orderly fashion, and then all of the data collected was burned on to a CD with two extra copies.

After the hustle and bustle of the demob, we gathered with the science crew to get opinions of how the cruise went (very successful I may add) and just talked about things other than work before they made there way back home. Luckily for me I had the following two days off (Saturday and Sunday) to relax as well as explore Bermuda (it is a travel destination after all). I borrowed one of the Marine Technician’s bikes to get around more efficiently since its not too big of a island.The waters all around are bright turquoise blue with rich culture and history around every corner. I stayed moderately close to BIOS so I wouldn’t risk getting lost or too worn out to make it back safely. I managed to find a secluded beach were I decided to swim around and cool off. The water was warm, clear, and quite inviting. After many miles on the bike I made my way back to BIOS. The remainder of the weekend was designated to touching base with loved ones and catching up on some sleep.

The first day back at work we hit the ground running to get everything in order for the upcoming cruise. First task to tackle was reassembling our CTD and doing some fine tuning to make sure everything is running properly. After a couple cable splices and troubleshooting we had all of our sensors working well and then all that was left was to mount on the Niskin Bottles which was an easy task.

After taking care of the CTD we moved on to the next mission critial task which was fixing the issue with our 12 kHz Depth Sounder. This proved to be an easier than expected task. After searching through the ceiling panels we discovered the plugs were not connected to anthing and just had to made a terminal box for them to plug into. A few soldered wires and connections later it was back up and running.

At this point we have knocked off all the tasks needed for our next departure so we have been working on smaller issues that just have been pushed to the back burner. We will be leaving next Monday for a day cruise to a Hydrostation that will be a quick out and back trip. That is all for now but will have more next week!

Week 2 Aboard the R/V Sharp

By Chris Petroff

On June 2, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Hugh R. Sharp, University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment

Hello Everyone:

This week has been an awesome experience here aboard the R/V Sharpe. This week we spent several days prepping the vessel, for a search and recovery mission to reclaim the HAB CAM that was lost when it struck a shipwreck while being towed. We discovered the shipwreck to be the Bow Mariner. The Bow Mariner is a tanker ship that sank when the ethanol it was transporting exploded. The ship is 500+ feet long, and is lying in around 220 feet of water off the coast of Virginia.

The ROV technicians that the science team hired for this mission were Dennis and Kevin from the University of Connecticut. The name of the ROV is the Kraken 2. The ROV technicians took the time to show me the basic set up of the Kraken 2, and discuss with me the engineering design of the vehicle, and the routine maintenance procedures that had to be performed after each dive, as well as basic troubleshooting methods. All the electrical wiring throughout the ROV is encased in oil which does not conduct electricity, and does not compress. This particular vehicle was equipped with a hydraulic arm, pressure sensors, altimeter, lights, and several cameras showing views ahead, above, and below the unit. The ROV of course can to conformed and outfitted with many other sensors, and altered to perform a variety of task.

My duties this week consisted of making wire runs that were needed to support the ROV lab, assisting in loading the ROV and its supporting equipment, securing equipment to the deck, assist with the deployment and retrieval of the ROV, and stowing away lines and tools used for the day’s work, just to name a few.

When we arrived on station the ROV was deployed and I was allowed to watch the entire operation in the control lab with Dennis and Kevin. It was really neat to see, and a very tedious process coordinating the ROV’s movements with the ship, and the currents. To make a long story short the HAB CAM was located nose up in the wreckage, and the winch operator lowered a clip down to the ROV, which was attached to the CAM and brought to the surface. Keep in mind this whole process is not as easy as it sounds, and it took hours of tedious work to get this process done.

KG and Chip have also been working with me explaining the electrical systems aboard the R/V Sharp. Also, we have drawn up a schematic, of the winch systems throughout the vessel in order to familiarize me with the setup. The plan is to go through each system step by step as the internship moves along.

Well that is it for now, and as I am typing this up we are headed offshore with the HAB CAM, and dredge to begin the 2nd leg of the cruise. Talk to everyone latter.

Just a quick note. I have some pictures to share with everyone, but KG has not been able to locate his camera cord to allow him to upload the pictures.

Till next time,

Chris Petroff

A Slight Change of Plans

By Hannah Klooster

On June 1, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Sikuliaq, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Today we had planned to reach the first of six worksites for the Jason ROV. However, a change in plans was called for when the transformer for the Jason ROV failed. A replacement has been shipped and we will pick it up in Newport, Oregon. Instead of just going into dock at Newport, it was decided instead that we would do some Multi-Beam Sonar survey grids and some CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth) profiles for the six worksites. This will be the first time for me deploying the CTD, so I am quite excited.

Since my last post, I have done quite a bit aboard the R/V Sikuliaq. I have performed, with my mentor Steve, three XBT’s (Expendable Bathythermograph’s – to determine the speed of sound in a column of water). I have also been using the EM302 Multi-Beam Sonar program, the Olex 3D mapping program, and the TOPAS Sub-Sea Depth Profiler program.

I have, as of yesterday, passed the one week marker of living aboard the Sikuliaq. So far, it has been quite the adventure. This internship has marked the longest that I have ever been away from home as well as being a milestone in my schooling career, due to the knowledge that I have already gained in just one week’s time. In my down time, I have spent quite a bit of time on deck and on the bridge, watching for whales and/or dolphins. They have proved, however, to be quite elusive. I do hope that in the coming days before my internship is over, that I will at least see one whale.

I am not sure how long it will take before the Jason ROV is back up and running, and is ready to be deployed onto the worksites, but until that time, it looks like we will have plenty to do and monitor.

I have also attached a photo of myself in front of the Jason ROV taken by my mentor, Steven Hartz.

Week 01

By Hannah Klooster

On May 28, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Sikuliaq, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alright, I promised an update and since this is the last day in San Diego before the R/V Sikuliaq departs, I figured it was a good time for one. I landed in San Diego on the 25^th of May around 11:00. I was picked up from the airport by my mentor, Steven Hartz, who gave me a brief tour of San Diego before we went to the ship. I was a little nervous, but everyone that I have met on the R/V Sikuliaq has been kind and very helpful. Steve gave me a tour of the ship and after only getting lost once, I think I have finally learned my way around; the R/V Sikuliaq is honestly larger than I thought it was going to be.

I have now spent two full days on the ship assisting where I can as everyone is preparing to leave port. It has been a bit hectic and crowded on deck and so far there hasn’t been too much for me to do. I’ve helped out with unloading boxes of food for the voyage, loading a box with a float for the Jason onto the crane, and lowering the Center Board with the transducer into the Safe position. I have also been learning about the different computer programs and systems that the R/V Sikuliaq has, such as the Olex 3D mapping system and all of the CCTV security cameras. Steve has also had me reading about different subjects and technologies on the ship, such as Serial Ports and the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler.

I have spent time walking around deck and was also able to get off the ship for a while and bike around San Diego and Coronado Island, which were both amazing. The San Diego area is beautiful and with the temperature at around 60-65 degrees, it’s perfect. However, I am more than ready to finally “set sail” and truly begin my internship.

Until next time,

– Hannah Klooster