ITP21 Deployment Operations

Finding no good ice floe on a helicopter reconnaissance flight the previous day, two landings were made this morning on icefloes that were greater than 5 m thick (rafted) before one was found around 3.3 m thick (although rafted on one side) for the first ITP deployment of the summer. An ITP-only deployment, the entire instrument, personnel and deployment apparatus were transported to the ice in 3 passenger loads (with cargo) and 3 sling loads. Supplemental flotation (large cone) was used with the standard buoy to enhance durability of surface package in response to the thinner ice conditions encountered the previous year. The complete deployment including transportation took less than 3 hours.

More information and photos on the deployment operation are also available at: https://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=67247

Experienced helicopter pilot Chris Swannell knows just how to maneuver gear at the end of the long line softly down to the ice surface. (Photo by Rick Krishfield)

At the other end of the long line, Will Ostrom and Gary Morgan wait for the winch and tether to land. (Photo by Rick Krishfield)

With the anchor and only 10-15 m of cable deployed and before submerging the profiler, Rick Krishfield plugs in a laptop to test the inductive communications circuit. (Photo by Gary Morgan)

With the profiler through the hole, Dunn monitors tension while the remainder of the 790 m long tether is unspooled under control of the brake by Ostrom.

Surface package in place, and final inductive check performed, Ostrom breaks down the deployment tripod.

Posing with the first ITP of the season are: Gerty Ward, Ostrom, Dunn, Morgan, and Krishfield. (Photo by Rick Krishfield)

View from the helicopter on the last flight back to the Louis. (Photo by Gary Morgan)