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.