Posts by dtrewcrist
Mission Accomplished, Homeward Bound
Homeward bound! The Irminger 10 team has completed all cruise objectives (in spite of high winds/heavy seas) and is heading home. All moorings have been deployed and recovered; gliders deployed; CTD casts for instrument cross-calibration, meteorological surveys, and ancillary CTD casts to support the OSNAP program were completed, and many marine mammal sightings were recorded.…
Read MoreLeg 3 Fini!
September 4-6, 2023: In spite of weather delays, the objectives of Leg 3 were accomplished. Two of the Leg 3 dives took place at International District, surrounded by hydrothermal vents and chemosynthetic animal communities. The team deployed a RAS/PPS sampler which collects fluid and DNA samples from the vents, specifically a vent known as “Tiny…
Read MoreRockin’ and Rolling but Getting the Job Done
The weather finally cleared up enough over the weekend for mooring recovery operations at OOI’s Global Irminger Sea Array to happen. Here Chris Basque directs the recovery of floats, in spite of the rocky waves and potential wet feet. Video credit: John Lund © WHOI.
Read MoreBack at it!
After a brief detour caused by heavy winds and high seas, the R/V Neil Armstrong and the OOI team are back at the array, deploying moorings during brief weather windows. They are getting the job done, even though conditions have been less-than-ideal.
Read MoreHigh Waves Delay Operations
September 1-4, 2023: Leg 3 once again began with unfavorable weather. Even staying in port one extra day didn’t prevent the ship from leaving Newport in rough seas with blustery winds. Once onsite, high winds and unpredictable swell made it hard to hold position, and too hazardous for Jason dives or even CTD casts. Only…
Read MoreTaking Shelter from Severe Storm
Conditions forced the R/V Neil Armstrong to take shelter in Prince Christian Sound. Quite a storm is going on at the array. Peak wave heights have subsided from 15.5 m to about 11.45 m. The surface buoy is still showing wind speeds 23 m/s (44.7 knots). These conditions make it impossible to deploy the moorings…
Read MoreWeather Delays
August 31, 2023: Due to weather considerations, the R/V Thomas G. Thompson has postponed its departure for Leg 3 of RCA operations. The new plan is to leave the dock at ~1400 September 1. Stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy an image of stunning soft coral that grows on the carbonate deposit called Pinnacle at…
Read MoreWeather Dictates Pause
Weather dictates pause in operations. The OOI team aboard the R/V Neil Armstrong are in Prince Christian Sound to avoid severe conditions at the array site. The weather forecast called for 70 knot wind gusts and 30 foot waves at the work site. It’s anticipated that the vessel may be able to return to work…
Read MoreGliders Begin Operations
The R/V Neil Armstrong and OOI science team start operations at the Irminger Array by deploying the gliders. This allows the gliders to be monitored by the pilots onshore and ensure all systems are operational while the vessel is still onsite performing mooring operations. Chris Basque and Jess Kozik prepare glider 575 for deployment. Three…
Read MoreVessel is on its Way
Pedal to the metal! The R/V Neil Armstrong departed Reykjavik, Iceland Aug. 28th and is enroute to the Irminger Array off Greenland as fast as possible to start glider and mooring operations ahead of storms that are closing in….
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