Arctic Icebreaker Coordinating Committee (AICC) Meeting

Thursday, March 22 - Friday, March 23, 2012
U.S. Coast Guard Facility
Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA

Meeting Minutes

Executive Summary

The winter/spring meeting of the Arctic Icebreaker Coordinating Committee (AICC) was held on Thursday 22 March and Friday March 23, 2012 in Seattle, WA. With the extended Healy schedule in 2011/2012 which involved a trip to Nome, the AICC delayed  the usual December meeting until the Healy had returned to Seattle. It was decided to combine the winter and spring meetings.

Action Items:

• Who should UNOLS interface with at USCG for MST training.
• Ask AICC what they think about BOEM and increase coordination with this group.
• What can AICC do to plug in to the Sikuliaq
• Housing in Barrow is getting to be a real problem- Reservations are being cancelled. This needs to be watched by AICC.  Response time by UMIAQ is getting to be an issue. They may have not enough people
• AICC needs to provide input to STARC on the computer lab layouts
• AICC needs to provide input to STARC on how long they want to keep the data onboard the ship. AICC decided that a minimum of two years of raw data to be kept on the ship. 
• Check on static Mapserver
•  Need oversight on use for Isotopes. Get Dave Forcucci and the STARC team involved.
• Science Equipment on Polar Star should planned for.
• Gravimeters need to be on battery ups during shift to shore power. Starc needs to watch this.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Robin Muench, Chair of the AICC, opened the meeting with welcome remarks and introductions. Tim Schnoor/ONR and Renee Crain/NSF/OPP called in on a speaker phone. There was a last minute change to the agenda and Eric St. Pierre/USCG will present highlights from the Nome event.

The 2011 season was a full season which was comprised of four long cruises. The Healy arrived back in Seattle on 5 Feb 2012, with approximately 250 operating days.  Impact to the 2012 schedule will be discussed.

There has been progress on the following items since the April 2011 AICC meeting.

• STARC program initiated
• Installed T/S/pCO2 system
• Storage of hazardous materials has been improved
• Transferring of information on Native communities
• Shipboard tech training between USCG and UNOLS
• First winter science operations were completed with the Carin Ashjian cruise.

The next meeting will be January 17-18, 2013 so as not to conflict with Marine Symposium in Anchorage which is the week of January 21^st.

UNOLS Report

Jon Alberts/UNOLS provided a report on recent UNOLS activities. This included recent personnel changes within the UNOLS office.  The UNOLS office will begin it’s 4^th year at URI/GSO on May 1, 2012.  Some recent activities include the Polar Research Vessel Refresh Project and the report which was submitted to NSF in Feb. 2012.  The Appendix A & B workshop which was held in February 2012 in San Diego was reviewed along with the UNOLS Greening of the Fleet Workshop held in January 2012. Details on both of these workshops can be found on the UNOLS home page.   An update on the UNOLS participation in the Univ. of Alaska Sikuliaq workshops was presented.  We also discussed the progress made in providing training cruises for Coast Guard Marine Science Technicians (MST’s) on UNOLS ships.  The AICC committee membership and the upcoming committee positions which include a new chair was discussed. See Power Point presentation.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Report

Dee Williams/BOEM provided the BOEM report. -  See Power Point

Thank you to the USCG for the opportunity to place teams on the Healy.

The annual budget of the Arctic office is 15 million. Most of this is for planning and finding a platform is one of our hardest challenges.

Current research projects that are underway in the Alaskan region can be viewed at our   web site:   www.boem.gov/akstudies

Recently completed projects included the deployment of met buoys which have been deployed by the Healy for various studies.

For the Hanna study, science teams will be on the Healy doing environmental studies. These will be conducted by University of Texas, which are contracted to do future leasing projects.

Other BOEM projects include:

• CHAOZ- Chukchi Sea Acoustics, Oceanography. Zooplankton – will be done on the NOAA vessels.

• Western Extension of BOWFEST- AK-12-07.  Proposed passive acoustic recorder mooring locations with personnel from the Applied Physics Laboratory at the University  of Washington.

• AK-12-03 Project: Proposed instrument locations of gliders and moorings for High Freq Radar Project.

• BOEM Animida III- monitor program in Beaufort Sea since 1985

ONR report/ Tim Schnoor

ONR has regenerated an Arctic Program with Martin Jeffries as the program manager. There is a 5 year department research initiative from FY 12 to FY 16.

NOAA Arctic Research Program Report

Andy Armstrong, co-director at UNH Hydrographic Center provided a power point presentation on recent Arctic cruises.

In 2011 on Healy, NOAA did a Barrow margin survey line then a seismic line with Louis St. Laurent. This was an AUV cruise, with bathymetric studies.  This was the last of the seismic cruises with Healy and Louis St. Laurent.

In 2012 focus will be on a bathymetric survey along Mendeleev Ridge. This will complete the extended continental shelf studies in the western Arctic, unless we are surprised by data set.

NOAA is planning a coast survey reconnaissance cruise on the NOAA Fairweather.

NOAA Arctic Research Program update, continued: Kevin Wood

See Power Point.

Kevin provided an update on the NOAA Pacific Marine Environment Laboratory, (PMEL) activities and the RUSALCA program.

In 2012, Phyllis Stabeno/PMEL will have 3 Arctic cruises.  For the RUSALCA program, there are (2) Arctic cruises. There has been some uncertainty with Custom issues.

For the NOAA-ONR MIZ radiosonde program, we are looking for vessels of opportunity for potential wave glider deployments.

Department of State Report

Barbara Moore submitted a letter describing recent activities with the Extended Continental Shelf Program. Please see letter in the appendices.  Andy Armstrong added more details on this ECS program.

National Ice Center

John Simms/NIC gave a Power Point on the National Ice Center which is supported by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA working together to provide ice information.

There are international partnerships that NIC works with, such as the North American Ice Service/NAIS, a multi agency with Canadian Ice service, International Ice Patrol and the U.S. National Ice Center.  

International Arctic Buoy Program IABP- a global program to deploy drifting buoys in the Arctic Ocean

International Ice Charting Working Group. – works to promote cooperation between all the world’s ice centers.

The NIC has had ice analysts sailing on the Healy and this has been a good valuable experience which NIC would like to continue into the future.

NIC requires Radarsat imagery which is very expensive and the current funds end in August 2012.  We are trying to find alternative funding sources to add to NGA.

Update on the R/V Sikuliaq

Steve Hartz/UAF shared a Power Point progress report with the committee on milestones which have been met. See appendices. Current specifications were given. The launch date for the Sikuliaq is October 13, 2012 in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Friday 23 March 2012

The meeting was reconvened by Robin Muench/AICC Chair at 0830.

Chair requested minutes be approved from the last meeting AICC meeting which was held on  April 20 & 21, 2011. Committee requested a correction to the minutes be made.  Edit the name on Alaskan Native Program, change to lower case on native program as this doesn’t refer to a specific native program.

Motion was made and seconded. All in favor and minutes were approved and posted.

Review of Action Items

A discussion led by Robin Muench on action items followed with a review of each.

See Power Point appendices.

1. Responsibility for logistics when operating through Nome or ports outside Barrow. Renee Crain/  NSF/OPP stated that Scott Hiller/STARC will be the first place to start
2. TSE Mooring Winch- Dave Forcucci refreshed us that the idea was to have a dedicated mooring winch for Healy. Then it would go into the winch pool. John Kemp/WHOI did original winch bid specs. This winch has not been purchased.   There is a need for a winch in 2012 for Pickart.  STARC will look at this.
3. Healy Data Release policy- R2R is catching up with collecting data. STARC is working on it. STARC will cover this on cruise planning.
4. Evaluate NIC status and Ice Imagery issues. This action item relates to difficulties in the past. Carin Ashjian/WHOI reported that we didn’t get the far northern radarsat images, this may have been caused by a change in your speed of advance or the timing may have been the problem. We order what is available from the vendor.  Renee Crain asked if there are real time communications with NIC asking for ice images. Carin replied that yes, the ice analyst contacted NIC daily.  Karen Frey asked if PolarView was contacted. Steve Roberts confirmed that we had Polar View images.  Caryn Panowicz/NIC will check to see what data was available.  Remove this from action item list and just keep track of this on all cruises. Karen Frey was asking what post cruise data was available. Prior planning for ice is important.
5. Evaluate Van Relocation- Plan has been accepted and STARC will take care of this. Will retire this item
6. UPS replacement issue- Coast Guard will contract this out, is at CG right now. Plan is to remove these and if a science party needs one, STARC will help PI get one. This point will be added on Icefloe.
7. Role of MSO prior to cruise. Coast Guard will replace the NOAA MSO with a CG person. Will happen this summer and we can retire this action item. This will build the experience in house.
8. Update Berthing- information on the rooms and the berthing plan. Need to look at this. Pull this off action items. Need to check with Larry Mayer to see if he finished this.
9. ScoreBoards- Request to change paperwork is in the works. To make these updates and keep these scoreboards, STARC is working on this.
10. Ice Operations- Don Perovich was working on safety guidelines for ice operations. It is posted on IceFloe. Eric St. Pierre/USCG said it has been vetted by the CG . This is a done issue.
11. Development of Alaska native participant’s involvement in the program. Jeremy Mathis worked with native coordinator at UAF, but didn’t get any responses from students. Not sure what to do next.  Renee Crain suggested that maybe turn this into a job announcement. Dave Forcucci suggested that maybe make this a course requirement. Jeremy Mathis will ask how to get into curriculum.  Faustine Bernadac stated it has been hard to reach out to students as there are not many in Barrow.  We did help find marine mammal observer for cruises. We tried to reach out to tribal colleges, with little success. Phil McGillivary talked with UAF and he thought program coordinators wanted to do the program first so that they knew what it was all about.

Any other new action items

Ongoing Concerns

1. Evolution of cruise planning on Icefloe- STARC is doing a lot of these now and UNOLS needs to confirm whether we should continue support for Tom Cook.
2. Science Equipment- The memorandum of agreement (MOA) between NSF and CG on science equipment needs to be finished. Mike Krause will work with Renee Crain on this.
3. Science Logistics support to cover isotope use. – STARC is keeping a closer eye on this. This is operating under SIO.  In the past it has been a PI from each institution. This is why we need SIO oversight.  STARC we will work with the CG on this issue. USCD has a license which can be extended to the Healy.  Eric St. Pierre is working with STARC on the process of updating Icefloe. This will be expanded to apply to hazardous materials.
4. minus 80 freezers- CG is maintaining them.
5. Clarification on coordination of foreign vessels.   Phil McGillivary offered that Larry Henzman is keeping track of which ships are up there. Jeremy Mathis asked if we need a web portal to keep track of these ships as they increase.  Renee Crain thought we needed to work with Liz Tirpak at the U.S. State Department. Renee will contact Liz.  Carin Ashjian shared that this web site may be helpful. www.aoos.org   Google Arctic assets
6. Medical Screening Process- Renee Crain stated we accept the Coast Guard self reporting process and seems to be working. NSF is still discussing a risk-based medical clearance process.  
7. Development of a plan for science capability on Polar Star.  Renee Crain suggested that maybe this is something STARC and CG can work on. Ryan Young/USCG shared that we have talked about this.  Science capability at present is zero. Overboarding systems not operational. Very little room in schedule before 2014 deep freeze to make these upgrades, Phil McGillivary stated that we have a science plan for DeepFreeze PI’s.

NSF/OPP Arctic Report

Renee Crain/NSF provided this agency report via telephone. She thanked all PI’s for cooperation as well as the efforts of STARC, Ch2MHill, Steve Roberts, UCAR and UNOLS.

Where we are headed?   2011 was the first year we didn’t have the icebreaking budget.

In 2012 we got a budget cut. Some upgrades on Healy, working with STARC on what is feasible. We want to continue to support Alaskan Native observer programs.

CH2MHILL - Faustine Bernadac

Faustine Bernadac from CH2MHILL provided the report and a Power Point presentation.

In October 2011, CH2MHILL  won the 4 year award with possibility for 2 (2) year options.  Polar Field Services will be responsible for the day to day efforts and the prime planning office. The company is now comprised of 4 entities. CH2MHILL, Polar Field Services, UMIAQ, and CPS.

Ongoing Issues:

Barrow Hotel room availability is becoming an issue which requires early planning in order to make sure it will all work.  They can provid a list of who to contact in Barrow which can be posted on Icefloe.

Non-NSF programs are supported by UMIAQ.  Renee can work with Andy Armstrong for the ECS program to come up with the best system. Mayer could work directly with UMIAQ.

U.S. Coast Guard Reports-

Mike Krause provided a Power Point presentation on the State of the Icebreaker Fleet. He provided details on the Carin Ashjian cruise and the Nome rescue. Details on the Polar Sea and Polar Star were provided.  The Polar Star is due back in late 2013, ready for mission execution and shakedown. Science equipment needs to be looked at.

On the Polar Sea, the intent is to still decommission the ship, awaiting final decision. The crew of Polar Sea is working on the Polar Star and parts and equipment are being transferred to the Star. Rajiv Khandpur commented that the CG will decommission the Polar Sea in the coming year.

In 2013, in the presidential budget there was 8 million dollars to develop operational requirements.

U.S. Coast Guard Report cont’.

LCDR Doug Wyatt gave the PACAREA.District 17 report. See Power Point for details.

District 17 will continue the bi-monthly C-130 flights.  Operation Arctic Shield will continue with outreach planning, public safety, medical and dental programs.

Healy Schedule for 2013:

BOEM cruise 9-24 Aug

Extended Continental Shelf cruise Aug 26 to Sept 23, 2013

North Slope Moorings, October 9-21, 2013

U.S. Arctic Research Commission Report

John Farrell provided the USARC report in a Power Point. He covered the organizational structure of USARC and some recent activities. This included an Ecosystem Based Management approach which is now being developed.

Daily updates- subscribe at Arctic.gov

Prezi.com- shows the link between Arctic researchers

Polar Star Yard Work Update

Ryan Young provided a Power Point on the maintenance programs and engineering side responsible for maintenance of the ships. An overview of Healy maintenance schedule for this in port dockside period was given.  

Discussion on the science equipment for Polar Star- We are looking at science equipment, but at present don’t have the resources, either time or money.

Nome Mission Presentation

Eric St. Pierre/USCG provided an extensive overview presentation on the Healy rescue to Nome

Science Modifications, infrastructure and equipment

Scott Hiller and Woody Sutherland/ SIO discuss the STARC  Science Support Program in a Power Point.  Woody reported that HazMat/Isotope procedures and compliance will be a major priority in the area of environmental health and safety.

On  Icefloe.Net administration, Scripps is working on the backend of this with Tom Cook.  A slide on the list of equipment they are working are or will be in 2012 was shown as well as plans for the Healy dry-dock in 2013. All the spaces they plan to work on was reviewed. They maintain on the Icefloe web site a list of the project s that they are working on. The computer lab will have an extensive refit.  In the photo lab we will change the desk height to make it more usable space.

Electronic Support Unit/Seattle ESU Report

Jim Wilson of the ESU group provided an update in a Power Point  and various projects, upgrades, and systems they are working on. This included:

Update on the communication systems on both the Healy and the Polar Star.

Met Lab ventilation

Data Archive availability on ship.  On SIO ships we keep two years worth of data.

AICC needs to provide input to STARC on how long they want to keep the data onboard the ship. AICC decided that a minimum of two years of raw data is to be kept on the ship. 

Check on static Mapserver- yes, AICC needs to watch this.

2011 Cruise Debrief Issues

• Ice Images- We will have a debrief on ice images.
• Pickart – Alaskan Native issues. – flag it as an issue and keep trying. There have been some personnel changes.
• On the native communities communication and coordination issue, Phil McGillivary provided a slide and he stressed the importance and need to contact the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, (AEWC).
• Carin Ashjian described a contamination issue of radio nuclides.  Need oversight on use for isotopes and Dave Forcucci and STARC will get involved.
• Cold weather issues:  We had one particular cold weather issues on the Ashjian cruise when the door was stuck open.
• Some debriefs were too brief.  If things were fine, it should be told why.
• Change in end port caused some problems on airline tickets for return sci’s.
• Science Equipment on Polar Star should planned for.
• Gravimeters need to be on battery up during shift to shore power. Starc needs to watch this.

Meeting adjourned-