ITP42 Deployment Operations

It took 2 landings to find a suitable icefloe for deploying the first Ice-based Observatory (IBO) during the JOIS 2010 cruise. While the floe appears to be relatively large (300 m diameter) and flat, the 3 survey holes drilled are 1.5, 2.5 and 1.8 m thick beneath the snow. The AOFB is deployed first and while it is being interrogated to make sure that it operates properly, the ITP is deployed. Meanwhile another group is deploying the IMB and other scientists are conducting a thorough survey of the icefloe. The deployment operations end with the installation of a wind generator for the AOFB. As dusk begins to set in, all gear and passengers are returned to the ship, just before the weather turns and visibility declines.

More information and photos on the deployment operation are also available at: https://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=66857.

Dan MacLean guides the helicopter as the ITP flotation is lowered by long line onto the selected deployment site. (Rick Krishfield)

Jim Dunn clears slush from the hole through the icefloe in preparation to lower the ITP anchor. (Rick Krishfield)

The ITP profiler was designed to just fit through the 10.5” diameter hole. (Rick Krishfield)

Dunn and Newhall use a heat gun to soften the molded cables so that they can be connected without damage.

Due to the cold temperatures, Dunn and Newhall need to use a heat gun to soften the molded cables so that they can be connected without damage. (Rick Krishfield)

securing the wire with a Yale grip, and slipping the grip to transfer the load to the bale at the end of the potted section of the cable.

The tricky part of deploying the surface package entails securing the wire with a Yale grip, and slipping the grip to transfer the load to the bale at the end of the potted section of the cable. (Rick Krishfield)

Flying back passengers after the deployment operations are completed. (Kazu Tateyama)

ITP42 as deployed. (Rick Krishfield)