Day 5: Alaska 2024 GNSS-A Deployment - Going With The Flow

After a >1 day deployment hiatus while in transit between sites, today was another busy and exciting day aboard the R/V Sikuliaq! With the impending storm and the need to thus make our deployments more efficient, the science crew's PIs, engineers, and technicians worked with the ship's crew to devise a contingency plan for our original deployment at SNK1. 

PI Dr. Spahr Webb briefing the science crew on the contingency plan for site SNK1
deployment, using the aptly named 'Board of Lies'. [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].

With the ingenuity of the science and ship's crew, we approached site SNK1 with a new deployment sequence. First, we deployed a transponder and RBR sensor at site SNK1-C(3). However, unlike our typical past deployments, where we await the resurfacing and recovery of the float pack, we moved onto site SNK1-B(2) to begin our second deployment in this triad. 

Engineer Dr. Glenn Sasagawa preparing the RBR pressure-temperature logger for
deployment on the first transponder, SNK1-C(3). [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].

Following the successful deployment of SNK1-B(2), we returned to site SNK1-C(3) to recover the float pack, prior to heading to our final site of the triad, SNK1-A(1). This 'multi-tasking' approach shaved several hours off of a typical site deployment and allowed us to be underway to our fifth site, UNI1, by late evening. 

Marine Technician Walt Masterson and Electronics Technician Dave Price
tracking the location of a float pack. [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].

Electronics Technician Dave Price preparing to acoustically release a float pack using an
EdgeTech Portable Acoustic Command System (PACS). [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].

At site SNK1-A(1), following transponder deployment, we conducted a CTD cast, this time attaching the RBR logger to the CTD in order to independently confirm the temperature-pressure (depth) profiles. 

Marine Technician Sarah Gisler and PI Dr. Glenn Sasagawa affix the RBR
logger to the CTD. [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].

This necessary change in plan emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability (going with the flow) while working in challenging environments (such as the middle of the North Pacific Ocean) where conditions can change on a dime. After all, while we cannot direct the wind, we can adjust the sails. 

Bonne soirée from Watch Group 2!