Category: Vessel/Laboratory Page 74 of 89

A Quick Update

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 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

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!

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

Week Two- Change of Plans

By Mason Schettig

On May 26, 2016

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

The second week at sea has been much like the first, very busy. There was a change in plans however which required an entire day of transit to a new work site and our waypoints were made up on the fly. This didn’t slow down operations however once we arrived to the new location. Along with tons and tons of CTD’s we have been deploying and picking up a Woods Hole Glider (measures Internal waves, surface waves, wind speed and direction), Wire Walker (Surface wave spectra), and more of the OOBS (Ocean Observing Buoy System). Most of these devices are dropped off and left to collect data for roughly a day or so and then we get a GPS fix on them and go pick them up.

Weather wise, its been pretty inconsistant which is to be expected in this area. One moment it will be clear and sunny then next it is stormy with sideways rain and lightning. For the most part the seas have been forgiving with smaller swell sizes so the ship hasn’t been rocking too hard.

Today is actually the last day at sea and we are currently in transit back to Bermuda. We should be making it back tomorrow (May27) around roughly 1300. It has been a great first cruise with BIOS and an amazing science crew to work with. All the guys from John Hopkins as well as Scripps have maintained great, positive vibes and are nothing less than respectful to the crew and the intern (me). I could only hope to work with a team like this in the future.

Picture of me getting ready help recover a Woods Hole Glider
*Photo taken by Nick Mathews

Week 1

By Chris Petroff

On May 22, 2016

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

Hello Everyone:

This first week of the internship has been a busy one. On May 16th I arrived at the airport in Salisbury, Maryland and was picked up by Tim Deering the Oceanographic Coordinator for the University of Delaware’s Marine Division. We had to travel by car for about 45 minutes to arrive at the ship’s home port. The route we took us through the country, and I have to say we passed through some very beautiful country side. When we arrived at the port Mr. Deering gave me a complete tour of the grounds and the research vessel. I got the chance to meet the crew as well, and everyone seemed really nice and accommodating. The rest of the afternoon we discussed the dredge set up and CTD operations which we would be performing during the four different legs of the cruise.

I have spent the first part of the week assisting the crew with load testing all the cable and winch sytems that will be used to deploy the equipment, making wire runs throughout the dry lab, helping the science team load some of their equipment aboard, and installing lab tables for the science team’s computers, just to name a few. I have never gotten to engage in all the pre-cruise activities before, and I learned alot about the attention to detail and careful planning that goes into an offshore trip.

The dredge system we will be using is a NOAA Schallop dredge. Also, the science team will be employing the use of a HAB CAM video system to provide visual images of the sea floor to assess schallop populations. We will also be using the SBE 11 Plus CTD to collect water parameter data from the water column.

We departed the dock to head to our first station at 1950 on May 13th. The HAB Cam was deployed at 0230 on Friday morning, but after towing it for about five hours we lost the insturment when it struck an object lying on the seafloor. The next several hours was spent taking multi-beam images of the area in which the incident occured. After several hours collecting data we begin heading back to port to regroup. On the way back in the first dredge was performed as well as a CTD cast shortly after.

We are currently at the dock with plans to head back out Monday or Tuesday. An ROV will be used to locate, and hopefully retrieve the CAM.

Talk to everyone again soon.

Chris Petroff

Pre-Internship

By Hannah Klooster

On May 22, 2016

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

Hello Everyone!

My name is Hannah Klooster. I am currently a student at Northwestern Michigan College in the Marine Technology Bachelors program. I just completed my second year of school, so I still have a few more years before my instruction will be complete.

I am only a few days away from flying out to San Diego where I will be boarding the University of Alaska’s R/V Sikuliaq. The past few days have been a bit hectic, but also very exciting; making sure that I had all of the necessary documents complete for my internship and as I begin to pack.

In my college courses, I have had technological experience with a few different sonar and ROV systems. I am very excited for this opportunity to broaden my education and experiences. I am also quite honored to have been chosen for this internship and am greatly looking forward to it.

I will be posting another entry sometime later this week, after I have arrived in San Diego and have settled on the R/V Sikuliaq.

-Hannah Klooster

Land!

By Elizabeth Ricci

On May 20, 2016

In MATE Blog Archive, R/V Kilo Moana, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, SOEST

Hello hello,

Well I have certainly gotten behind with the story of this journey (stupid internet) and instead of catching up with one giant novel of a blog entry I had tried to spread out the tale in several short installments. Now I find myself in a weird situation where here in real time the cruise is ending (seriously it is 5am and we are just waiting until our 6:30am call in to the harbor for permission to move on in) and in story time I still have some science things to recap! Ok ok so I guess I will give you an abbreviated version of the science and go from there.

One of the last major sample collection things we did on this cruise was multicoring. This is quite similar to the box core method except instead of one giant scoop of sediment they pull up 12 smaller cylinders at a time. The biggest challenge with the multicorer is that the weather conditions play a huge role in success or failure. If the swells are too big (and by too big I mean if there are waves at all!) the multicorer will hit the seafloor at an angle and they will only recover a few samples or the whole contraption will get jostled around enough to either spring the trap too early or dump out the samples entirely. It really needs to be very calm for the multicorer to be successful. The reason the scientists were very eager to use the multicorer is that while the box corer is more reliable and delivers more sample in sheer mass, the multicorer brings up samples with the sediment/water interface still intact. This little top layer of sediment is really important biologically and is preserved well in a multicore but not in the boxcorer. A tricky set of pros and cons…

Anyways…the multicorer was very easy to get into the water and later recovered. Not extra steps, no weird system or extra equipment. Just grab it and pull it on board. The hard part is that it moves through the water very slowly. Only 45 meters per minute to go down and come back up and when it has to go 5000 meters (that is 3 miles for all those non-metric users)…well it takes a while.

So for a couple of weeks we basically switched between box coring and multicoring all day. And yes, all day really does mean 24 hours a day. We just kept putting down corers, waiting, pulling up sediment, and putting the equipment right back in again. It was not a bad routine at all.

Eventually we got to a point where one of the scientists was ready to collect phytoplankton samples with a big net (cleverly called a phytoplankton net). The idea here is that the net, which is about 2 meters in diameter at the top and tapers down into a small collection cylinder at the bottom, is very light weight and goes into the water and down to 200 meters. From there the ship moves ahead very slowly and the net is towed horizontally to collect phytoplankton. That was the plan. What actually happened was that the net went down 200 meters, was immediately caught in the current and pushed up against the propeller of the ship and the line was severed. The net was lost at sea within the first 10 minutes of its first deployment. Yikes. I don’t even have a picture to include here because it happened during the wee hours of the morning while I was off shift so I didn’t even get to see it! Things can happen really fast around here sometimes.

Well so mostly that is the story of the cruise. By the end of the trip the German scientists have put equipment into the water 106 times during their working window of 21 days. That is a very very impressive number considering how long it took for each piece of equipment to do its thing. With the exception of the phytoplankton net, everything else was ultimately successful and the scientists were able to collect everything they wanted to and more. Even phytoplankton was eventually collected using a different smaller net that was modified so that the scientist would be able to get some amount of sample.

None of the equipment broke down to the extent that we couldn’t use it. There were a few mechanical issues that cost us a few hours here and there but nothing that the engineers and deck hands couldn’t fix eventually.

There were no medical emergencies and everyone has come back safe and whole.

Hard to ask for a whole lot more for a 44 day long voyage at sea:)

For now I have 1 more day here in Hawaii and then I am off to have a short break back home in Minnesota. I won’t be adding another blog post until I am on my way to my next tropical destination…BERMUDA! Yay!

So with that I bid you all a farewell for now:)

Elizabeth

Week One in the Bermuda Triangle

By Mason Schettig

On May 19, 2016

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

What a busy first week it has been. To start my internship off I met all the crew and staff a BIOS (Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science) and was welcomed by all. Right off the bat I was helping get all the gear and equipment on board and helped mobilize so we were prepared to get underway. For this cruise we have been working with the John Hopkins Applied Science Lab as well as a crew from SCRIPPS Ocean Institute. After testing and fine tuning all the equipment as well as going through the briefing we were quickly underway.

The first two days were designated for transit to the work site which was named “Aquarius” and this location is about 300 miles southeast of Bermuda. During transit we mainly focused on our CTD and fine tuned all the senors incorporated with it. The science crew provided us with a few of there gear to mount and connect into our CTD system which took a little extra effort to fit everything on, as well as get the correct calibration coefficients tuned in. Once everything checked out and was tested we could move on to other preparations such as assuring our network was up and running so we could easily transfer data to the science teams with a public folder.

Once we arrived to the work site we quickly were saturated with many different operations that occur at all hours of the day. My first deck operation was a CTD cast which was pretty straight forward and I just played minor roll until I got more comfortable with the ship. After a couple casts, I began take more responsibility and was handling tag lines and taking lead. Later in the evening we deployed a buoy system called OOBS (Ocean Observing Buoy System) which consisted of 3 different buoys with many different sensors (CTD, ADCP, Mets, ect.) all connected with small float buoys in between. It is approximately 400 meters in length and this was the very first time I had seen anything like it. It was a fairly complicated deployment but with a good crew it went very smooth.

Throughout the first week we deployed mainly CTD’s but also deployed a Woods Hole Glider, Wire Walker, Profiler 2 and XBT’s. It felt like once we started it never stopped. There are operations going on about every 45 minutes to and hour unless we are making a lengthy transit across the work site.

By this point on day 7 I am feeling more and more confident in my deck skills and am getting more comfortable with how the ship operates. Everyone works as a team and they work very well. I would like to make a special consideration for the cooks aboard. They make great meals and Randal the head cook makes deserts to die for. A typical dinner could be anything from Lamb shanks with rice and cucumber feta tomato salad to Filet with baked potato and pasta salad. Deserts vary as well from key lime pie, chocolate cheesecake, to fresh baked cookies and everything is make from scratch. A good cook can make or break a crew and on this boat they are the final touch to a wonderful crew.

Unfortunately I could not attach any pictures while underway. The internet is slow and the majority of bandwidth is designated to the scientist (for good reason!) Once I make it back to shore I will be attaching many many pictures of the awesome operations that have been going on!

That is all for this week but can’t wait to see what lies ahead for me on this adventure!

Picture of me coiling up cable from the recovery of the SPMR profiler.

*Photo taken by Peter Rogowski from Scripps Institute of Oceanography