ITP41 Deployment Operations

Later the same day as ITP 35 was recovered, the first ITP deployment of the JOIS 2010 expedition was conducted. As it was already October, melt ponds had frozen and the ice was covered by snow, making it difficult to identify the thicker ice during the helicopter reconnaissance, but a 2.5 m floe was located and selected for the deployment of ITP 41. Once selected, operations proceeded rapidly as the lateness of the season meant that the daylight hours would be limited.

The first half-hour was spent transporting personnel and gear to the site by helicopter, and augering the hole through the ice floe. The deployment of the profiler, tether and surface package occupied the next 1.5 hours, while other scientists surveyed the ice floe. Forty minutes later all personnel were back on board and operations completed as the sun headed over the horizon, and the air temperature dropped to -20 °C.

More information and photos on the deployment operation are also available at: https://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=66817.

A long line is used to deliver the ITP winch to the deployment by helicopter. (Rick Krishfield)

Jim Dunn, Dan Maclean, and Kris Newhall auger the 10.5” hole through the ice for the ITP deployment while other scientists survey the floe in the background. (Rick Krishfield)

Hole drilled, profiler being secured to the wire. (Rick Krishfield)

Newhall and Dunn slip the last potted tether segment and surface package into place as the bear guard watches. (Rick Krishfield)

ITP 41 installed with the CCGS Louis S St Laurent in the background. (Rick Krishfield)

Ice floe cleared, the helicopter is ready to take off and leave ITP 41 alone in the Arctic. (Rick Krishfield)