Alvin Update – 19 Sept 2013
Currently Alvin is in San Francisco undergoing sea trials testing with the dry
portions of that testing scheduled to be completed by the end of this week: Friday
9/20. Further sea trials testing cannot proceed until all relevant NAVSEA design
reviews are complete. Currently, WHOI has received NAVSEA approval for the
majority of system designs and documentation and NAVSEA review is also
nearing completion on the life support system, operational manual, and
maintenance manual. Final approval for these items was anticipated this week
(week of 9/16), but with the recent tragic event at the Navy Yard delays may be
experienced. We have been in contact with the majority of Alvin project related
personnel and confirmed their safety and our sympathies go out to the NAVSEA
community and all the families affected. Because we did not have those final
approvals in place already, Alvin sea trials will now be continued in October-
November following a forthcoming Jason & Sentry cruise scheduled aboard RV
Atlantis with Dave Valentine (UCSB) as cruise PI.
Independent of the above issues which are impacting the timing of NAVSEA
certification, the Alvin upgrade program has also experienced two material issues
which are actively being resolved;
a) The Alvin lift tee was repaired after inspections revealed rejectable weld
indications. These repairs and re-testing are now complete and the results are
being evaluated by NAVSEA. NAVSEA approval of this repair is required prior to
manned lifts of the submersible aboard RV Atlantis.
b) The other issue concerns windows. Following pressure testing of newly
received windows, a small amount of crazing was observed on the inner edge of
the window conical bearing surface. WHOI has been working on this issue with
the NAVSEA structural tech warrant, and determined that it is a non-structural
cosmetic issue that can be addressed with a minor modification to the corner
radius in the affected area. A modified window is being prepared for further
testing. The currently installed windows were satisfactorily tested and show no
signs of crazing. Technical evaluation of the windows by WHOI and NAVSEA
has determined that the currently installed windows are acceptable for use
through sea trials.
Following successful completion of all sea trials, the first Alvin activity after
reinstatement of certification will be an NSF funded Science Verification Cruise.