The Sikuliaq crew had a productive (and super fun) day, with two major milestones reached: the completion of the MESH site deployment (consisting of a dense array of 10 transponders), as well as the launching of the second SV3 wave glider.
Now, you've heard quite a bit about transponders and float packs over the last week, but you might be wondering, what is this futuristic-sounding vehicle, the "SV3 wave glider?" The wave glider is an autonomous floating platform that collects GNSS data while ranging to an array of seafloor acoustic transponders, allowing for the determination of precise transponder positioning. It's a bit of a game-changer in the field of seafloor geodesy in terms of cost and efficiency, as it removes the need for an ocean-going vessel to transit around the deployed transponder(s).
 |
SV3 wave-glider positioned on the deck in preparation for deployment. [PC: Nathalie Chavarria].
|
Following a wave glider deployment, the science crew can remotely monitor and control the vehicle using computer software. To move across the ocean surface, the wave glider uses both wave motion and solar energy for power and propulsion.
 |
| SV3 wave glider suspended from the A-frame and carefully being lowered into the water. [PC: Behnaz Hosseini]. |
Despite keeping busy with transponder and wave glider deployments and float pack recoveries, the science crew still found time for some 'recreational' pursuits. Every member of the science crew practiced tossing the grappling hook in order to catch resurfaced float packs.
 |
| Behnaz Hosseini practices a grappling hook toss. [PC: Guoli Li]. |
The crew also had the opportunity, following Sikuliaq tradition, to decorate styrofoam cups to send to the seafloor at our deepest deployment site (MESH-AF10 at ~5800 m!) during a CTD cast. The cups returned to the surface shrunken but entirely legible, with motifs including everything from Nanook (the Polar Bear God) to The One Ring (and the Eye of Sauron). What a cool souvenir to take home!
 |
| Decorated and shrunken styrofoam cups after their journey to the seafloor at ~5800 m. Normal, undeformed styrofoam cup in the background for scale. [PC: Nathalie Chavarria]. |
Last but not least, the crew shared a lovely meal of king crab with garlic butter, herbed mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and biscuits in the Mess Hall before returning to work for the evening.
 |
| A delicious dinner consisting of king crab with garlic butter, herbed mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and biscuits. #blessed [PC: Behnaz Hosseini]. |
Now onward to our final triad transponder deployment site, UNA1, with an ETA tomorrow morning. Cheers!
Comments
Post a Comment