Meeting Minutes
Accept Minutes - The December DESSC meeting minutes were accepted as written.
National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF) Operator’s Report – Dick Pittenger gave the introduction to the NDSF report by noting that KNORR can be seen at the dock in Woods Hole. SEA CLIFF is now located in its storage garage at WHOI while their engineering study is in progress.
1999 NDSF Operations – Rick Chandler provided a summary of 1999 ALVIN and ROV operations, see Appendix III. Operations in 1999 have been going well with a lot of work already accomplished this year with the ROVs. The average bottom time for ALVIN in 1999 has been 5.5 hours. For the ROVs, the average bottom time per lowering for Jason has been 13 hours, 15 hours for Argo II and 33 hours for DSL-120. Rick provided a list of ALVIN/ROV highlights from this year’s operations. Only two ALVIN dives have been lost this year (due to weather and ship anchor repair). ALVIN bottom time is up for the third straight year. 252 nautical miles have been surveyed with the towed vehicles. Argo II night operations were conducted from ATLANTIS in conjunction with ALVIN dives in the Hess Deep. The full list of 1999 NDSF highlights is included in Appendix III.
Agency Reports:
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Dolly Dieter (NSF) reported on the Academic Research Fleet Review, see Appendix IV. An external review committee was formed in 1998 to review UNOLS Fleet operations. Over the past year, the group met four times and reviewed various aspects of fleet operations, management, and directions. Dolly presented the committee’s findings and recommendations. The UNOLS structure as a whole serves as a good model and should be maintained. However, the major recommendation was to strive to improve the quality of fleet operations and management. It was recommended to use the funds and time saved during periods of low ship utilization for fleet improvements. There needs to be steady improvement of technology support and services with attention to quality control and safety.
Competition to host the UNOLS Office should continue. It was recommended to change the UNOLS Office grant to a cooperative agreement. Agreements increase reporting responsibilities. This would be consistent with the ships, which have already been operating under cooperative agreements. Overall, the UNOLS model was recognized as an efficient operation and there was no recommendation to convert to chartering commercial research vessels. However, it was recommended to consider including commercial ship operators as UNOLS vessels when they offered unique capabilities not found in the academic fleet. The committee also recommended that NSF must accelerate and expand efforts to articulate a broadly based vision for the future of ocean science and technology. There should be a prepared fleet improvement plan in place.
In other activities, Don Heinrichs has announced that he will retire from NSF at the end of the year. Holly Smith has been hired as a program assistant and will work with Dolly and Sandy in the Facilities section.
In budget news, Dolly reported that funding would probably be at the same next year as in 1999. This year saw a 6% increase. A few additional items were able to be funded in addition to ship operations support. A van study was funded by NSF and conducted by Joe Coburn. A Winch and Wire Symposium is planned for late 1999. The DESCEND workshop is being funded a by NSF, ONR, and NOAA.
Office of Naval Research (ONR) – Sujata Millick provided the report for ONR. The Navy NAVSEA group (92Q) that oversaw ALVIN certifications in the past is in the process of reorganizing. In the future, certifications will most likely be conducted commercially. This could result in a more expensive process. NAVSEA is also considering ABS inspection for deep submergence facility handling systems.
Sujata reported that ONR has provided approximately $600-700K this year in deep submergence support. These funds have supported the SEACLIFF engineering study, the
ROV upgrade proposal, a Bob Ballard cruise, and an educational program. Sujata reported that the Navy has agreed to transfer SEA CLIFF’s spare parts to WHOI.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Undersea Research Program (NOAA/NURP) – Gene Smith reviewed the NURP science dive operations for 1998, see Appendix V. There were 373 human occupied submersible dives in 1998 as well as 202 ROV dives. 87 projects were carried out. Funds for NURP field programs are dispersed through the NURP centers. There is $500K a year marked for support of the National Deep Submergence Facility operations. A center can add to this amount if it is their center priority. There was a general discussion about the 1999 NURP scheduling problems and how they can be avoided in the future. Gene encouraged the community to keep NURP proposal pressure high. Communication with the NURP centers is essential throughout the scheduling and planning process.
DESSC Issues:
DESSC Terms of Reference – Prior to the meeting, Patty Fryer drafted proposed revisions to the DESSC Terms of Reference. The Terms are being revised so that they more adequately reflect the role of DESSC. It was noted that DESSC no longer reviews ALVIN proposals. Dan Fornari stated that an important role of DESSC is to try to predict where the facilities are needed in the out years. He suggested that the agencies, operator, and UNOLS Office work together to inform the community of funded programs and their locations for the out years. The community needs to know where funded programs are planned so that collaborations could be formed. One suggested approach is to facilitate this planning discussion into the community by identifying heroes and giving them an opportunity to speak at the December DESSC meeting. It was also suggested to hold planning workshops at AGU or the Ocean Science Meeting. This will be re-addressed later in the meeting. To help maximize the utilization of the Facilities, a suggestion was made to add a click-on button on the DSF page (with a link to UNOLS/DESSC page) showing "funded-unscheduled" programs for 2001 and beyond. WHOI and the UNOLS Office could let the community know that the list is there by e-mail blast. The times in which the vehicles would be out of service for overhauls/maintenance should also be included on the webpage. It was recommended that an e-mail blast be sent to the community announcing the next ALVIN overhaul dates and when the vehicle would be in the Atlantic. Cindy Van Dover, Dan Fornari, and Bill Ryan volunteered to come up with a plan to help maximize future facility use.
Deep Submergence Scheduling: 2000 and Beyond -. Jon Alberts reviewed the 1999 ALVIN and ROV schedules, see Appendix VI. Operations this year began in the Southern EPR then continued in the Hess Deep, Northern EPR and Southern California/Oregon after a maintenance period. The second half of the year will see work in the Gulf of Alaska, Juan de Fuca, Southern California, before ending in the Northern EPR. This is a very ambitious schedule. The port times are not only being used for staging, but also for ship maintenance.
There were four ROV operations in 1999 on ships other than ATLANTIS: Bob Ballard in the Mediterranean on a chartered vessel, and Jim Cowen, Chadwick/Embley, and Alan Chave all on R/V THOMPSON. The Cowen and Chadwick/Embley legs were on Juan de Fuca and the Chave leg was to repair the H20 installation.
Jon provided the ATLANTIS 1999 cruise track. Next he showed the tentative ALVIN/ROV 2000 schedule [note: The most up-to-date ATLANTIS proposed schedule can be viewed at http://www.marine.whoi.edu/planning/at00.htm]. The year would start with operations in Guaymas and continue to the EPR. Work off California, at NEPR, and Juan de Fuca would follow. There will be a maintenance break in August. This would be followed by operations at Juan de Fuca, Gulf of Mexico and the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR). There is some concern about scheduling the MAR cruise in late fall since the weather conditions can be very challenging at this time of the year. The ship would return to WHOI in mid-December.
There were a lot of requests for ROV operations in 2000 and as a result a few programs may be pushed into 2001. ROV programs are planned on MELVILLE, THOMPSON, KNORR and a ship yet to be determined. Jon presented the tentative ATLANTIS cruise track for 2000.
The ALVIN overhaul and certification are planned for the first six months of 2001. There are already funded programs on the MAR and EPR in 2001. During the ALVIN overhaul period, ATLANTIS will need time for its own shipyard overhaul to meet ABS requirements. Presently, February/March 2001 is planned for the shipyard period.
Long-Range Planning Issues:
B. Future Global Deep Submergence Initiatives – The suggestion from earlier in the meeting to identify global heroes was re-addressed. Each hero would be responsible for identifying people who might be interested in working in their particular geographic region and encouraging them to submit science proposals. It was recognized that the heroes might need financial support to hold mini workshops. DESSC could put together a boilerplate workshop proposal that the heroes could use if needed. It was recommended that at the December DESSC meeting, each region be assigned their own lunch table where heroes could meet and plan strategies with their groups. If time permitted, each hero would have five minutes after the lunch break to review their group's plans. [Note: It was recognized that the December DESSC meeting agenda is very full and time would likely be unavailable for the hero presentations.] The DESSC identified potential heroes for the various regions. Collaborations with scientists from other countries may be beneficial while planning global operations.
Public Outreach - Bill Ryan introduced a discussion on public outreach noting the lack of submersible/ROV science being reported in Journals. He indicated that the DESSC needs to encourage the community to be more forth coming about their science. This could help promote global programs. It was suggested that perhaps the ALVIN/ROV cruise reports be reviewed to identify stellar science that has been performed and encourage the PIs to submit articles. It would be nice to kick-off the next millennium with three or four papers. There was a brief discussion on the participation of the press at the DESCEND workshop. There was concern that the presence of the press at DESCEND might hamper open discussions by the participants.
Operational Summaries of Other Deep Submergence Activities:
MBARI – Patty summarized the MBARI written report, see Appendix VII. She reviewed the vehicle plans. MBARI provides up to 30 days of sea time combined to non-MBARI scientists through NURP. Jim Bellingham added to the report by reporting that MBARI will be working with WHOI on the Jason upgrade. MBARI will have an AUV program in the future.
MPL – Patty Fryer summarized MPL operations in 1999 and those planned for 2000, details are provided in Appendix VIII. MPL has been involved with the substantial upgrade of their Deep Tow Fish #6 and the Control Vehicle. There are four funded Control Vehicle operations scheduled for 2000, two out of Hawaii and one in the Juan de Fuca Plate area. In March, MPL used their Short baseline (SBL) navigation. DESSC was interested in this system and suggested that it be investigated to see if it could also benefit the NDSF. Ken Smith of SIO reported that they are developing a vertical profiling pump sampler that they will use in the Arctic. They also have funds to start developing a second generation ROVER.
ATV – CMD Sadorf of the Navy Deep Submergence Group gave the ATV report. He began by reporting that ATV is operated from the vessel KELLY CHOUEST, which is also the support platform for other Navy vehicles. ATV can be operated in a flyaway mode by shipping it and its A-frame to other support platforms. When ATV was sent to the east coast, it required five flatbed trucks. ATV is approximately 100 lbs. positively buoyant and utilizes a very capable fiber optic cable, however it is different from the UNOLS standard .680 fiber optic cables now in operation. Navigation on KELLEY is being upgraded to the Nautronix 916 ultra short baseline which inputs to the Winfrog system.
ATV recent operations included the discovery of USS YORKTOWN, work at the Atlantic Undersea test and evaluation center and operations off Southern California with Peter Lonsdale. Peter Lonsdale was charged approximately $6k/day for the ATV operations. Since the Navy is concerned with reliability of the system, they recommend that ten extra days be added to a cruise to work out any kinks. No support for ATV can come out from Navy operations. It requires approximately 18 people for an ATV operation. There is no longer in an agreement with NURP for a 60-day annual availability of the vehicle for science. CMD Sadorf reported that continual use is required to sustain ATV. This past year the Navy sent an e-mail to SIO offering a two-week availability period. Peter Lonsdale was the only one who took advantage of the opportunity with four sea days. The future of ATV is unclear.
HURL – Patty summarized the HURL written report, see Appendix IX. HURL 1998 projects fell into two categories, the Innovations Project and the CORE project. The Innovations project was a new thrust and made 30 PISCES V dives and 33 ROV dives. This was the first year HURL routinely used their RCV-150 ROV. The CORE projects made 20 dives including four dives for HUGO servicing. It was reported that the HUGO signal has been lost and a broken cable is suspected. HURL is investigating tools for operations in high heat environments. This is in cooperation with NASA in preparation for Europa exploration.
ROPOS – The ROPOS written report is included as Appendix X. The vehicle was used in two cruises for THOMPSON, one to support the NOAA/NURP vents program. The other cruise was to look at changes since last year’s chimney recovery program at Endeavour Ridge. Improvements to ROPOS include better camera controller and a new data management system for providing integrated dive logs. The Canadian funding agency, NSERC, has tripled funding for Canadian scientists for use of ROPOS. There is still some time available for ROPOS is 2000. Bob Embley reported that they were able to take 25 samples a dive during his cruise. The logging system is being beta tested.
Industry Operations - Dan Orange reported on the advances being made in technology by the oil industry. He reported on the Blue Stream pipeline project in the Black Sea. The OTC system has multibeam, sidescan, and lots of gadgets. Subbottom profiling capabilities are superb. Penwell has published a catalog of vehicles that are available. Dan provided draft Oil Industry Requirements for a Survey AUV, see Appendix XI. Jim Bellingham noted that it is important to keep current on the vehicles that are being developed by the oil industry. This industry has provided a lot of funding to support new technology development.
DESSC Issues:
Data Processing Discussion - There was a general discussion on data acquisition, processing and support. The deep submergence vehicles enable the acquisition of vast amounts of data. Processing of this data can entail a significant effort and require additional technical support than what is normally provided by the operator. The science community needs to be educated on data processing capabilities as well as the necessary support entailed in these efforts. It was pointed out that some groups, such as biologist, many times do not require extensive data processing and would prefer to see the funds spent in a different way. It was suggested that the DESSC needs to determine what a cost effective data processing service should encompass. The DESSC has a responsibility to determine what reasonable services and products should be supplied. A lengthy discussion followed. For extensive data processing it was suggested to have the PI either bring his/her own people along to support the processing efforts, or pay WHOI to provide the processing services. This is a big issue with very complex systems. Perhaps an investment should be made to educate the scientists on how to use the data.
[Note: A paper on DSL-120 processing and data resolution written by Dan Scheirer, Susan Humphris, Steve Lerner and Dan Fornari can be accessed via a WWW browser at site: ftp://lise.geo.brown.edu/pub/scheirer (the file to click-on for downloading is: Enduser.v1.0.tar.Z). The paper provides a DSL-120 EndUser software package.]
DESSC Terms of Reference – The discussion from earlier in the meeting was revisited. There was discussion on whether the DESSC should address other deep and shallow submergence assets. The committee decided not to include shallow water technologies as part of their terms at this time. There was additional discussion on whether DESSC should continue their focus primarily on the NDSF, or should they broaden their horizons to address other facilities and operations. DESSC felt that they should not lose their focus on the NDSF, noting the progress that the facility has made in the last few years.
It was recommended that a statement be added to the Terms that the call for new DESSC nominations be broadly distributed. Patty will revise and terms based on this discussion and redistribute before the December meeting pending decisions to be made at the DESCEND Workshop.
DESCEND Workshop – Patty Fryer reviewed the information contained on the DESCEND website, as well as the tentative agenda for the workshop. The workshop will be three days with Day One is planned for science discussion. Day Two is to identify future technology. Breakouts sessions are planned each day with plenary sessions to follow. Patty reviewed the list of people who have been approached to be speakers and session leaders. She reviewed the application form and some minor editorial revisions were recommended by DESSC. There was a brief discussion on the involvement of the press during the workshop. There was concern that participation by the press would hamper open discussion by participants. The final day of the workshop will include a wrap-up session as well as a presentation by Jim Bellingham on technology costs and realities.
July 28, 1999 - Day 2
Long Range Planning:
ATLANTIS/ALVIN/ROV 2001/2002/2003 - There are a number of programs which are funded but could not be scheduled in 2000 for logistical reasons. A world map was presented showing ATLANTIS/ALVIN/ROV pending and funded programs for the out years, see Appendix XII. There is funded work in the Indian Ocean as well as a funded ALVIN program off Hawaii. Additionally, there is quite a bit of interest for continued work in the traditional areas (Pacific and MAR) in the out years.
Upgrades to the National Facility Vehicles, Science Sensors and ATLANTIS:
Dick Pittenger began with a perspective on the future of deep submergence science. The community is very stimulated. The vehicle and technologies have moved at such a quick pace over recent years, it is time to look forward.
Status Report on Current Upgrade Proposals – Andy Bowen began by giving highlights of a recent Bob Ballard cruise. He showed an example of the navigation tracks obtained during the cruise using three different systems. Andy showed various Imaginex images as well as a photo mosaic of one of the shipwrecks which had been located. He showed the 150 kHz subbottom profiler data obtained using Jason. He noted that this was in relatively shallow water and would not be standard equipment on Jason, but was part of the ongoing R&D efforts by WHOI DSG and DSL. He showed photos of various artifacts collected.
Andy provided a summary of objectives for ROV upgrades. WHOI submitted a proposal for a two-year program to upgrade the tethered vehicle systems of the NDSF. The first year funds were provided in early July, see Appendix XIII. Some of the major objectives include: improving portability, incorporating upgrade developments from other research operations, providing an open telemetry architecture to provide flexibility for future technology, the ability to operate to 6,500 meters with the possibility to extend the depth within the limit of the currently used .680 fiber optic cable, enabling concurrent operation of ROV Jason and ARGO II or DSL-120 so that these vehicles can all stand alone as separate operations. The issue of whether simultaneous ROV and tethered vehicle operations on three different ships is logistically feasible from a personnel point of view needs to be addressed as it would be very difficult to field three teams of technicians under the current DSF model. The proposed upgrade will use the 17-mm UNOLS standard electro-optic cable, and off-the shelf components when feasible, with the ultimate goal of improving Jason capabilities with respect to manipulators, sampling, payload, and propulsion.
The question was asked why WHOI was staying with an electric ROV system. Andy explained that electrical is preferable for vehicle management, efficiencies, and reliability. The electric vehicle is more sophisticated and quieter, it is fundamentally different from the purpose-built hydraulic ROVs used in industry which are more rugged and have generally heavier lift capability. The proposal calls for one ROV, Jason II. Many of the current external Jason sensors will be able to be moved from the old system to the upgraded Argo II vehicle, while new sensors will be purchased for use on Jason II. WHOI has not yet determined the exact design of the Jason II tether management system. They would like the vehicle to be able to operate as freely as possible on a longer (~100m) tether which would be more than three times the current length of the Jason/Medea neutral tether. A Medea capability which incorporates the tether management system will be retained.
Another objective of the proposal is to increase the compatibility of the tethered vehicles. Also, they want to address any known deficiencies. Each vehicle will have their own suite of dedicated sensors. The major upgrade for DSL-120 is to improve sonar transmission and receive electronics. They wish to also increase payload and modularity of the vehicles so that additional science provided sensors could be easily integrated into the vehicles. Low speed tow dynamics for DSL-120 is a difficult thing to obtain and the existing system is not ideal. Modeling and new towbody hydrodynamics studies are in progress.
Andy provided a comparison of Jason and Jason II. Capability improvements are to make in depth, power, payload, lift, manipulation, lighting, and storage. The manipulators are to be bought off the shelf. Lastly, Andy discussed the schedule for implementing the upgrade. In 2001 there will be some downtime to upgrade Jason to Jason II. The DESSC needs to be a part of this planning process. It was noted that that adequate time for testing the system after coming on-line must be allowed.
Annual Request for Upgrades to Science Sensors and Operational Capabilities of NDSF Vehicles – Dan Fornari reported that NSF has indicated that equipment upgrades to the NDSF systems should be included as part of their annual technical equipment/ instrumentation proposal to NSF. DESSC should help provide suggestions for this annual proposal. It was recommended that a solicitation to the community be sent out by e-mail asking for their input for the proposal.
Status of 2nd NDSF Equipment Upgrade Proposal - Barrie Walden provided the status report on the upgrade proposal. Appendix XIV includes the detailed status of upgrades for the Datalogger, video systems, power model, scanning sonar, ring laser gyro, digital snapshot cameras, steerable elevator, and inductively coupled links for temperature and data transmission. Completed upgrade items include the syntactic foam for ALVIN and Jason, slurp samplers and hot water samplers.
The old datalogger is working fine and has given WHOI some time to look for new components. Components for the old system can no longer be purchased and new hardware has been selected. The new video system and switcher for ALVIN have been designed and components are purchased. They are being reconfigured for installation in ALVIN. Several models of flat LCD screens have been tested for use in ALVIN. WHOI is in the process of purchasing one additional scanning altimeter sonar for use with either ALVIN or Jason. Several digital snapshot cameras have been purchased and are being used by scientists. WHOI is continuing to test commercially available consumer grade cameras in order to optimize strobe synchronization capability for the hand held digital cameras. A full-scale test of the steerable elevator is envisioned for late 1999 or early 2000, most of the components of the system have been fabricated and model tests completed.
The DESSC discussed the status of various other items. No improvements have been made to the Winfrog system. Part of the reason for this is that the ship has been operating in the South Pacific, and it was too difficult for the vender to travel to the ship. The basic problem is that the Nautronix 916 is not compatible with the Winfrog system. WHOI is satisfied with the performance of ATLANTIS’ SeaBeam system. They feel that it is performing well because the array is mounted on a "cowcatcher" away from the hull of the ship.
ATLANTIS Improvements- Joe Coburn reported that through the efforts of SIO, WHOI and DESSC, a list of ship improvements/upgrades or problem areas (also referred to as a turnover book) has been compiled. Joe provided the status of items included in the turnover book, see Appendix XV. There are still items that need to be corrected, but with ATLANTIS full schedule it has been difficult to get things accomplished. He reported that the anchor handling problem has caused cracks and it is still banging. WHOI is still finding new items to be added to the turnover book and suggestions from the community are welcome. Cindy Van Dover suggested adding an anti-motion table for stabilizing things on lab tables (microscopes). Marv Lilley suggested the STBD hydroboom fairlead be improved for switching out leads. Cindy commented that lab table arrangements should be looked at. She would like more low tables in the lab since these are used for computers.
NDSF Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) - Patty received a copy of the MOU from the agencies before it was delivered for signature approval. The MOU is intended to be reviewed every three years. The agencies reported that the only major change from the previous MOU was the elimination the NDSF funding safety net. It was also suggested that NSF should have an ROV expert on the panels for review of ROV proposals. DESSC could provide a list of ROV experts. It was commented by DESSC that although the MOU is between the agencies, it does impact the operator and DESSC. As a result, DESSC should have had an opportunity for review and input to the MOU update early in the process. The MOU is being routed through the agencies for signature approval.
Future Funding for Deep Submergence Science - Dan Fornari led a discussion on future funding paradigms for the deep submergence science. He introduced the concept of having one lead agency adopt deep submergence and be the advocate for the deep submergence needs. There appears to be a decoupling with one agency supporting the development and construction of assets and the another agency supporting operations. ODP could be used as the model. The DESSC in the past has had to focus on short-term issues, now it is time to look at future directions and needs. Support for deep submergence science has been healthy, but now ways of maintaining and increasing this level of support needs to be addressed. It was suggested that we need to get more science accomplished with the funding available and that strong collaborations should be encouraged. Science findings need to get published in the lay and popular literature and given exposure in the TV and film media. There is a need for coordination on the part of the scientists, agencies and WHOI.
From an agency perspective, the agencies are being mandated by Congress to do more interagency programs. The agencies had turned down the concept of a lead agency a few years ago. Sujata noted that in the past the Navy has provided funds for development and construction of assets such as ALVIN, Jason and the large ships. Each agency has their own missions and strengths. The community should capitalize on the strengths of each particular agency.
DESSC Nominations - The terms of Jim Bellingham, Dan Orange and Bob Collier are ending. A call for nominations was distributed from the UNOLS Office and four applications were received. The DESSC reviewed the current membership of the committee in terms of disciplinary balance and institutional representation. They felt it was important that there be a technology/engineer expert on the committee. It was also suggested that SIO should have representation on DESSC. Although the applications received were all fine candidates, they did not match the disciplinary needs required to maintain a balance among the committee. DESSC members made suggestions for replacements. Patty will contact these individuals to determine their willingness to serve on DESSC.
ALVIN Overhaul – Barrie Walden reviewed preliminary plans for the next ALVIN overhaul. It will likely be similar in scope to past overhauls. One suggestion was to move the control boxes for the pan and tilt, 1363 single chip camera and 3-chip camera to switches by either viewport for better ease of operation and to eliminate the rats nest of wires in the ball that results from handling of the boxes and passing them back and forth.
SEA CLIFF Engineering Study – Bob Brown presented the status of the SEA CLIFF engineering study, Appendix XVI. Bob started by stating the goals of the program. The vehicle has been moved from Otis Airforce Base to WHOI. Transfer of the SEA CLIFF and TURTLE spare parts from the Navy has been approved. The batteries and explosive bolts have been removed from SEACLIFF by WHOI as well as a few other items which are being reused on ALVIN. However, WHOI intends to keep the vehicle intact until completion of the study. A number of facility visits have been completed including visits to the MIR, NAUTILE, and PISCES IV & V. They plan to visit the SHINKAI 6500 facility in October. As part of the study, WHOI is investigating state of the art technologies and capabilities in navigation, power systems, manipulators, distributive control and data systems, variable ballast, composite framing, and buoyancy material. A user survey is being conducted and there has been a response of approximately 75% reply (40 replies). The survey is seeking science related improvements for submersible systems. The goal was to reach all science users of the last 5 years.
WHOI hopes to have the final report ready this fall. They plan to address both short and long time needs. Bottom time and tradeoffs will be addressed.
Other Business:
Personnel Overtime Issues – Overtime on ATLANTIS has been an issue on at least three to four cruises this past year. Scientists expect to be able to operate 24 hr/day when on station. Managing the overtime requirements in terms of budget and manpower has been a challenge for WHOI. If a person is added to a cruise, it costs approximately $300 a day, but it means a bunk. This is not being proposed by WHOI. Paying the overtime costs about $500 a day. Pre-cruise communication is essential in defining personnel requirements for the science operations. The funding issues associated with overtime costs needs to be addressed by WHOI and the funding agencies. This issue needs further attention.
Cruise planning – A number of cruise planning questions need to be addressed and WHOI is looking for input. For example, how does the operator plan for a cruise that requires two days of DSL120 and 35 ALVIN days? This would mean adding support people to the cruise? There is also the issue of coordinating Jason operations with ALVIN dives during the same cruise. It can be very time consuming. Some of this can be addressed during the pre-cruise planning stages, but guidance from the agencies and DESSC would be helpful. These issues impact the day rate.
Day One: Tuesday, 27 July 1999
AM
I. Introductory Remarks, Meeting Logistics, Introductions,
Any Changes to Agenda Items, Accept minutes (Fryer)
II. National Facility Operators Report (Pittenger/WHOI
Personnel)
VI. Deep Submergence Scheduling: 2000 and Beyond
Day Two: Wednesday, 28 July 1998 MEETING BEGINS AT 8:30 AM
AM
VII. Long-Range Planning Issues (continued)
PM
X. DESCEND Workshop discussion: role of DESSC
in preparation for and as follow up after the Workshop
From: "Etchemendy, Steve" <etst@cirrus.shore.mbari.org
To: "'Patricia Fryer'" <pfryer@soest.hawaii.edu
Cc: "Bellingham, James" <jgb@cirrus.shore.mbari.org
Subject: RE: MBARI info for DESSC
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 15:57:21 -0700
MIME-Version: 1.0
Status:
Dear Patty,
Jim Bellingham will be at the DESSC meeting and I have given him the current NURP brochure that outlines how outside users can access MBARI resources. He will be available to answer questions but I will take this opportunity to provide an update of where MBARI is with respect to its deep submergence resources.
The RV Western Flyer is currently undergoing dock and sea trials at Bay Ship in Alameda. Following the completion of these tests the Western Flyer will return to Moss Landing in August. September and October will be largely devoted to reintegrating and testing the ROV Tiburon. We expect to resume science dives in November. Next year the Western Flyer and Tiburon will have expeditions to both the Sea of Cortez (Oct./Nov) and Juan de Fuca Ridge (Aug.). Additionally, several sea mount and Coastal California trips are pending. The Western Flyer has 150 operations days allocated next year.
The RV Point Lobos and its ROV Ventana will complete 170 operations days this year and will again do 170 days next year. This year we will be participating in a joint cruise with the RV MELVILLE to Eel River (Eureka, Ca.) in August. The RV Point Lobos has no sleeping accommodations and is used primarily as a day boat.
MBARI provides up to 30 days of sea time combined (both ships) to non-MBARI scientists through NURP. Dr. Bellingham has the current NURP brochure which outlines the application process.
MBARI Marine Operations Assets –
The Point Lobos / Ventana offshore system represents a proven, highly capable marine research platform. The system is a coupling of a deep work class ROV submersible to a large work boat, for day trips off the California coast. The majority of its missions have been in Monterey Bay, while occasionally supporting extended cruises to Santa Barbara, and Eureka, California.
POINT LOBOS
The Point Lobos then underwent a major conversion from work boat to Oceanographic Research Vessel. The changes include removal of the sleeping quarters, installation of ROV/Science Control Room, installation of deck cranes and handling equipment, installation of Science Lab, installation of a machine shop below deck, and hydraulic system upgrades. The process is ongoing, the Point Lobos is a working vessel constantly being upgraded and modified. As of October 31, 1998, the R/V Point Lobos has executed 1,714 missions. These missions have included over 1,518 ROV dives and time-series CTD casts.
SPECIFICATIONS
Beam 26 Ft.
Displacement 440 tons
Horse Power 1200 SHP
Speed 12 knots
Endurance 9000 NM @11 knts
Fuel Capacity 20,500 gal
Comes with two manipulators as standard equipment, with two seven-functions arms with five spatially correspondent joints. Both arms can use a variety of end effectors.
The forward-looking camera sytems are mounted on pan-and-tilt units. The main viewing camera, a Sony DXC3000, is mounted in a three-axis pan-and-tilt that is capable of plus or minus 45 degrees of pan and 45–120 degrees of tilt.
The vehicle has two swing arms which deploy from either side. These can be used to deploy additional samplers, tool packages, safety apparatus or user-supplied equipment.
Ventana is equipped with a Falmouth CTD package which includes a dissolved oxygen sensor and a transmissometer.
Four spatial lasers are mounted on the main camera for quantitative calculations.
BENTHIC CONFIGURATIONS
When configured for benthic work, Ventana carries a sample drawer, which can be sectioned off into separate compartments. Also incorporated in the toolsled is a Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) suction sampler, which can be used to collect benthic animals in a single container or midwater animals in five selectable containers. Payload of the system in this mode is approximately 170 kg (375 lbs.) The system is capable of deploying packages up to 113 kg (250 lbs.) using the manipulators. These packages include self-contained time-lapse video cameras, environmental study packages, flow measurement systems, in situ clathrate experiment rack, data loggers complete with borehole instruments (seismometers, tiltmeters, osmotic sampler), transponder beacons, S4 current meters and many other small benthic experiments. In this configuration approximately 24, push cores of 12inch length can be configured onto the vehicle.
MIDWATER CONFIGURATIONS
In midwater configurations, the vehicle has the ability to carry up to eight detritus samplers, which are low-impact collection devices. The midwater toolsled carries an HBOI suction sampler with 12 isolated selectable collection containers. This unit is interchangeable with an HBOI formaldehyde-injecting suction sampler which comes with 12 selectable containers.
DRILL CORES
An interchangeable toolsled configured with a gattling-gun style coring device is capable of taking four 76 cm (30 inch) horizontal cores. With bit selection it is possible to core/ream to 7.2 cm (2.85 inch) diameter. This size allows for deployment of instrument packages into the cored hole either at the time of coring or at a later dive utilizing the benthic sled adapter. Other equipment deployed and activated from the coring sled includes a suction/blower to remove any unwanted tailings, a glue gun complete with heater to cement instruments into the borehole, and a water pump to facilitate the coring process. To protect the vehicle in an emergency, an explosive cutter will automatically sever the core. The cutter can also be triggered manually when necessary. The coring device is instrumented for shaft rpm, weight on bit, and pressure drop across the drive motor.
ONE METER SEDIMENT CORES
Coring devices can be attached to the vehicle which have successfully retrieve up to six one-meter sediment cores. These coring units can be orientated for either vertical or horizontal operation.
INETERFACES
Interfacing user equipment to Ventana is an easy task. Electrical connections are made using a Seacon MIN-K-19-CCP. This connector contains most of the required interface needs: serial communication, +24 VDC, +12 VDC, 120VAC, and video connections. Three such ports are available. If custom connections or voltages are required they can be accommodated on fairly short notice.
Hydraulic connections are made via qds and are available at two separate levels: 800 psi from a controllable four-way valve and 3000 psi @ 5 gpm max through a servo valve.
WESTERN FLYER
The Western Flyer /Tiburon offshore system is similar in concept to the Pt Lobos / Ventana configuration, but with enhanced performance in sea keeping, longer range and the ability to dive to greater depths.
Voyage profiles
Vessel operations will typically consist of one-day voyages having a duration
of 12 hours or less and near-coastal voyages of an average duration of three days. Extended voyages of two to three weeks’ duration will be infrequent, with three extended voyages being planned over an operational year. The R/V Western Flyer will on occasion be temporarily redeployed to a new home port which, for example, could result in an open-ocean transit to a port in Hawaii.
SPECIFCATIONS-
Net Tonnage 230 US, 254 ITC
Length (LOA) 117'-3 5/8"
Beam Moulded 53'-0"
Draft DWL 12'-0"
Horsepower 2,500 HP
Max. Speed 14.5 knots
Endurance, 8 knots 4000 n.m.
Complement (including Science) 25
Fuel Capacity 17,900 gallons
Cranes Two - Model HIAB 290
CTD winch system Dynacon 12030
Anchor windlass Kolstrand Akphaw 223324
Mooring winches Four - Marco WG023
ROV "UH" system Dynacon TV3615K/SW3616K
Stern " A-Frame" 13,000 lbs. SWL
Tiburon core vehicle specifications
Depth Capability
Minimum operating depth: 200 meters (656 feet)
1.5 knots (maximum with no tether drag)
0.25 knot (at 4000 meters)
Vertical speed
Ascent: 25 meters/minute
Maximum toolsled weight in salt water: 204 kg (450 lbs.)
Variable buoyancy capability: 68 kg (150 lbs.)
Adjustable at 2.27 kg/minute (5 lbs/minute)
Power
Thruster motors: 6 @ 3.7 KW (5 HP)
Thrust: 978.56 N (220 lbs.) each motor
High voltage: 240 VDC (±15%)
Low voltage: 48 VDC (±15%)
Communications: RS485 serial bus, RS232c, Ethernet (802.3)
Hydraulic Power: 13.25 L/min (3.5 gal/min) @ 17,237 kPa (2500 psi)
• Precision manipulator arms
• Integrated scientific sensors and data logging
• Internet compatible data transmission and user displays
• Control room displays
• Adjustable high resolution video cameras with coordinated lighting
• Stationary video cameras and lights
• Video recorder (Digital Betacam)
• Fiber optic telemetry
• Electric thrusters for precise control, high thrust levels, and quiet
operation
• Variable buoyancy system for low-disturbance operation at all depths
and during sampling operations
• Equipped to deploy tools and collect samples
• Provision for placement, servicing, and retrieval of instrument
packages
• Electric and hydraulic power available for equipment not normally
part of the ROV
Dear Patty:
In response to your request for a report to the summer DESSC meeting, I have the following:
Over the period since the December DESSC meeting the Marine Physical Laboratory group has been involved in substantial upgrading of our two primary systems, with one major at-sea operation and planning ahead for work in the remainder of this year and on into 2001.
The principal upgrading that has taken place is conversion of one of the Deep Tow fish (#6) and the Control Vehicle to take advantage of the availability of fiber optic cable. The TV systems on both vehicles are now capable of full bandwidth operation, rather than relying on slow scan technology as in the past. The modifications to both systems are such that the vehicles can continue to be operated from 0.68" coax-cored electromechanical cables when desired, but can take advantage of fiber when available (e. g. ATLANTIS, NEW HORIZON, REVELLE, and on others with portable winch systems).
The milestone operation in this conversion effort was the conduct of a highly successful near bottom survey off Southern California for the Navy using fish 6 in March. All systems performed well, with 110 kHz sidelooking sonar coverage of a full 1500 meter swath, 4 kHz system resolving subbottom structure to 100 meters bottom penetration and television coverage of key areas to determine the nature of seafloor fabric. For the first time we used short baseline acoustic navigation.
Alteration of the Control Vehicle to take advantage of fiber optic technology was triggered by planning for operation on ATLANTIS this September to carry out a variety of functions in collaboration with ALVIN operations. The tasks to be carried out include recovery of CORK data loggers from 4 ODP holes followed by logging and water sampling. This will require entry into the 15 cm. diameter CORK opening, assisted by a one meter diameter entry cone to placed by ALVIN, and continuous measurement of temperature and pressure to subbottom depths of about 250 m in 2500 m of water, at which point water samples will be taken and the Control Vehicle and logging tool recovered on board. For this operation we have also modified our transponder interrogation and reply system to be compatible with either unique interrogation or unique reply configurations.
At this point there are 4 funded Control Vehicle operations scheduled for 2000 - two out of Hawaii and one in the Juan de Fuca Plate area in support of installation and survey of geodetic markers and for wireline reentry work. The reentry work will include logging and installation of packers in ODP holes on the Costa Rica Rift.
One further augmentation to our systems is the acquisition of a full depth accumulator to mitigate transmission of heaving motion of the support ship to the payload. This unit is being built by Dynacon and includes a two-way compressor to maintain the necessary balancing gas pressure, and additional gas volume to maintain the resonant period at a sufficiently long value. Depending on delivery, this new unit may be used for the September ATLANTIS operation.
Ken Smith reports Deep Submergence activity by his SIO group as well:
We are currently working on two projects. One is a vertically-profiling pump sampler to make long time-series collections of macrozooplankton through a 200 m water column under the seasonal pack ice in the Antarctic. This instrument consists of a winch, resting on the sea floor and a tethered, positively buoyant pumping system which can be programmed to ascend and descend on any interval over periods up to 6 months. The macrozooplankton are filtered out on window screen and wrapped on a spool in a preservative bath of formalin. We hope to deploy this instrument on our next Antarctic cruise this October.
We also have funding to begin development of a second generation ROVER which will have the added capabilities to collect time-series sediment cores, measure the fluorescence of the surface sediments (primarily chlorophyll), and acoustically identify sediment structure (for example animal burrows, at 5-6 MHz) in addition to sediment community oxygen consumption along transects for periods up to 6 months.
Both Ken and our MPL group would appreciate any feedback that you may have from your meeting.
Regards,
Fred
Research projects in 1998 were divided into two categories, the HURL Innovations Project, and the Core Projects. The HURL Innovations Project was directed at addressing the NOAA’s Environmental Stewardship Mission, to build sustainable fisheries, recover protected species, and sustain healthy coasts. This was especially timely given the declining state of the Hawaiian coastal fisheries and the serious decline of the Hawaiian monk seal population. The Core Projects were directed at NOAA’s Environmental Assessment and Prediction Mission and focused on the Loihi Seamount.
The Innovations Project was a new thrust for HURL and 30 dives in Pisces V, and33 ROV dives were made covering five separate projects. This was the first year in which HURL's RCV-150 ROV has been used routinely in research projects. Its configuration, with simultaneous video from the ROV garage 25m above the seabed, and the ROV atthe seabed, provided both synoptic and close-up views that greatly assisted the conduct of transit surveys.
A key component of the Innovations Project was gaining an understanding of the interactions between the life processes of the benthos and nekton. It is important to understand not only how the species are interlinked, but also how the geology of the ocean floor impacts the distribution and abundance of benthic and demersal organisms. This interrelationship is important to spawning habitats of marine fishes, juvenile nursery habitats, distribution of forage for Hawiian monk seals, and the clustering or absence of sessile benthic organisms.
The proposals funded ranged from management problems of Hawaiian precious corals to dee water benthic communities that may provide foraging materials for endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Three projects specifically targeted two key commercial species of deepwater snappers, onaga, (Etelis coruscans), and ehu, (Etelis carbuculus). They were designed to look at distribution, nursery habitat, and spawning sites. In addition baseline surveys of these species were made in areas designated by Hawaii’s Department of Living and Natural Resources as "refuge areas". These two deepwater snappers, onaga and ehu, are the primary target of both commercial and recreational fisheries throughout the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the north west Hawaiian Islands. Population estimates and habitat correlations are extremely important in the management of this fishery.
Another area of concern to NOAA is the dwindling numbers of the Hawaiian monk seal, particularly those located at French Frigate Shoals. Both the Pisces V and the ROV were used to check habitats used by deep water foraging seals. Surveys of the fish community were made as well as surveys of area of commercially important precious coral beds.
The Core Component addressed the Submarine Volcanic Processes of Loihi Seamount Hawaii. 20 dives were scheduled to support these projects including 4 dives devoted to servicing HUGO (Hawaii Undersea Geo-Observatory) and to surveying project areas to establish safe approach routes and working areas. Many of these dives were directed toward monitoring hydrothermal venting, and identifying changes caused by the 1996 seismic event. An important component of this were dives designed to study the temporal changes invent chemistry as well as the evolution of the Loihi Seamount.
One project was undertaken in cooperation with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to develop and test instruments that can survive intense heat and pressure that can be used in deep ocean environments as well as exploration on Europa, one of the moons orbiting Jupiter. It is thought that many of the problems of exploring the interior of Europa can be duplicated in areas such as deep hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. This instrument wasdeployed and tested during this field season, with additional tests to follow.
Other projects were designed to study volatiles of active hydro thermal venting, test a new model on the foundations of ocean volcanoes, and determine if catastrophic explosive eruptions are possible at the summit of Loihi. Three dives were made to explore for evidence of possible volcanic eruptions. Other dives focused on mapping vent sites, collecting water and geologic samples, and sample the microbial mats found in association with the vent fields.
Another project was designed to test the hypothesis that there are substantial microbial communities living within the oceanic upper crustal rocks, hundreds of meters below the surface. This hypothesis could be tested by detecting specific metabolic products which are associated with these hypothetical subsurface microbial communities. These diagnostic organic compounds should accompany the hydrothermal fluid that is known to circulate within the upper crustal rocks, and eventually discharges into the overlying seawater at diffuse vent sites in exposed rock outcrops. To test this hypothesis, an instrumented "bio-blanket" was constructed that focuses upwelling fluid emanating from these diffuse vent areas through relatively small scavenging columns that serve as trap for metabolic products. This blanket was deployed in October to test the components and its ability to focus the upwelling water into the biocolumn. The Bioblanket was deployed on an active vent, where flux rates are high and the signal-to-noise ratio of any component is large. It was deployed on one dive and retrieved on the next. Three dives were devoted to this experiment.
Contact information: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/HURL/hurl.html;
Director: <malahoff@soest.hawaii.edu> Science Program: <crook@soest.hawaii.edu>
ROPOS is just completing the second of two cruises in the NE Pacific on the Thomas G. THOMPSON. The first was a US/Canada trip to Axial Seamount led by the NOAA Vents program. The second is a US/Canada trip to Endeavour Ridge to look at changes since last year's collection of four chimneys and to improve information on part of the pilot Marine Protected Area, specifically the High Rise field. The scientific program has included everything from high resolution bottom surveys with the Imagenex scanning sonar, through video mapping, fluid, biological and geological sampling of various sorts, to the deployment and recovery of instrumentation. The NOAA 'Rumbleometer' whose feet were stuck in solidified lava since the January 1998 eruption was successfully recovered. ROPOS milestones on these trips include passing dive 500 and the longest dive so far, 41 hours in the water, 38 hours on the bottom.
Improvements include better camera controller and a new data management system that results in everyone going home with one or more CD-ROMS containing integrated dive logs, including navigation and frame-grabbed imagery. Another improvement probably invisible to the user is an improved telemetry system. For the immediate future, a 5500m cable has been completed and a new winch ordered. The winch is currently undergoing an engineering review to improve its portability. A new 600m tether has also been completed to increase the live boating depth.
The main Canadian science funding agency (NSERC) has effectively tripled the funding available to Canadian scientists for use of ROPOS, through a Major Facilities Access Grant. This could provide an opportunity for collaborative research with Canadians. Part of the funding is to support a mobilization on the Atlantic coast.
There is still plenty of ROPOS time available, although June, July and August of 2000 are filling up.
Cheers
John Garrett
Executive Vice President
direct tel 250-652-5750 fax 250-652-5734
Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility
c/o Institute of Ocean Sciences
PO Box 6000
Sidney B.C. V8L 4B2
Canada
Visit our Website: www.ropos.com