ITP 11 Deployment Operations
The first Ice-Based Observatory deployed from the Russian research vessel "Akademik Federov" during the International Polar Year (IPY) consisted of ITP 11 and an IMB. This ice floe was selected from the vessel, and the deployment operation occurred with the Federov and escort nuclear icebreaker "Rossiya" nearby. The gear and personnel were carried over the side onto the ice in cargo slings and pallets, and hauled or walked across the ice where the buoys were installed.
The surface float marks the selected deployment location on the ice floe selected for the ITP 11 and IMB buoy pair on a typical late summer day in the central Arctic Ocean. (Photo by John Kemp)
The ship's crane was used to deliver the equipment and personnel (on a slinged pallet) to the ice and hauled across the floe using a hand sled. (Photo by John Kemp)
John Kemp, Sergey Unovidov, and Brian Hogue prepare to secure the top bumper stop for the ITP profiler on the wire tether. (Photo by Sergey Lesenkov)
Sergey Lesenkov and Sergey Unovidov stand by while Brian Hogue clamps the stopper about 1 m below the termination. This is the final step performed before the surface package covers the deployment hole. (Photo by John Kemp)
Nearby, the IMB is installed, while snow is redistributed around the ITP site in the background in an attempt to reduce ablation of the surface package into the ice floe. (Photo by John Kemp)
A departing view of the first ITP/IMB Ice-Based Observatory installed from the Federov in IPY. (Photo by John Kemp)