Updates
New Sensors Added
March 29, 2024
Meghan Donohue and Mike Robinson complete the build of a Multi-Function Node (MFN) prior to transportation to the WHOI dock for loading. The MFN is the seabed instrument platform at all the Pioneer MAB Coastal Surface Mooring locations. New additions to the MFN include turbidity and particle size sensors.
Compass Calibration
March 29, 2024
Jennifer Batryn, Nikki Arm, Irene Duran, and Ellen Roosen perform a compass spin of an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to be deployed on Pioneer MAB. It is important to do the compass calibration prior to deployment to correct for the introduction of magnetic materials during setup.
New Pier!
March 27, 2024
The NSF-OOI Endurance Array team from Oregon State University is proud to be mobilizing from OSU’s newly renovated pier. The light-colored concrete in the picture shows the area over the pylons that were replaced. Next to the causeway, the crew of the R/V Sikuliaq is fishing out a large log from the water. Go Beavs!
Mobilization Underway
March 27, 2024
The Endurance 20 team took advantage of the good weather to load most of what was needed for the first leg of the National Science Foundation Ocean Observatories Initiative Endurance Array 20 expedition. Most of the day was spent installing and tension testing two large winches: a Heavy Lift Winch and the UNOLS West Coast Winch Pool’s Hawboldt Winch. The team finished the day by placing the buoy of the…
New Shallow Water Mooring
March 20, 2024
Matt Latvis tests the buoy controller and telemetry tower for the new Shallow Water Mooring. The satellite telemetry system will send science data collected by a profiling vehicle back to shore in near real-time.
Looking Up and Up
March 20, 2024
Alex Franks and Megan Donohue assemble the tower for the Pioneer MAB Central Surface Mooring. The buoy tower carries the meteorological instruments, satellite telemetry antennas for data delivery, solar panels and wind turbines for power generation, and navigation equipment such as lights/radar reflectors/GPS.
Five Coastal Profiler Moorings Tested
March 20, 2024
John Lund and Mike Robinson monitor the testing of the Pioneer MAB Coastal Profiler Moorings (CPMs). The CPMs are assembled and then tested to verify all systems are operational and data is being sent to the OOI shore servers. Five CPMs will be deployed at the new Pioneer MAB location in water depths ranging from 100-300m.
Getting Wind Ready
March 20, 2024
Mike McCarthy prepares wind turbines for mounting on the Pioneer MAB surface moorings. Two wind turbines along with four solar panels provide renewable power to the buoy, recharging internal batteries, for the long 6-7 month deployment.
Coming Together!
March 20, 2024
Pioneer MAB array is coming together! Northern and Southern Coastal Surface Moorings, along with seabed multi-function nodes and near-surface instrument frames, being assembled. The team integrates the science instrumentation with the mechanical/power/telemetry/data systems, then tests the system before loading on the vessel.
Bench Tests Continue
March 20, 2024
Sheri White and Nikki Arm prepare and bench test the new Imaging Flow CytoBot, also known as a Plankton Imaging System (PLIMS), that will be deployed on the Central Surface Mooring of the new Pioneer MAB array. The PLIMS generates images of the particles in the local aquatic environment.