CMRC3 Station Decommissioned

The team on this trip consisted of Jules Craynock, Nancy Ash and Mike Jankulak.

On Tuesday, October 16th, 2007, we started the process of removing all equipment and electronics from the station. The four underwater instruments were removed first: Shallow BIC, Shallow CTD, Deep BIC, and Deep CTD.

Next, the top of the pylon was opened and the station shut down. The final transmission consisted of data reported at 1pm local time (17h UTC). The "brain" control package was removed, and so were the two battery packs, the surface BIC, the air temperature sensor, the GPS antenna, and one of the windbirds with its compass and mast.

Work continued and was completed this afternoon. The second windbird, mast and compass were removed, followed by the transmitter antenna and mast, and the four solar panels. The solar panel mast, which contains a wire that connects the lightning diffuser to the grounding plate, was left in place.

After equipment removal was completed, cables were arranged and tied in place; cables were also identified at both ends by colour-coded zip ties (blue for CTD, yellow for BIC, green for Groundtruth CT, red for SAMI PCO2, white for PAM; where more than one instrument had been present, "deep" instruments were identified with two cable ties at each end and "shallow" instruments with one).

Besides the seven cables and the grounding wires, the only equipment left in place was the lightning diffuser brush and the navigation light. The rest of the equipment will be packed tomorrow morning for its return to AOML.

Full Cleaning on 8/30

On August 30, 2007, Madeline Weigner and Brenda Gadd performed a full cleaning of CMRC 3 including groundtruthing.

The CTD validation unit was installed at 12:45 PM.

Cleaning occured between 2:15PM and 3:30 PM, although care was taken to make sure the sensors were cleaned and screens were reinstalled before 2:45.

Debris and growth was removed from all lines, CTD's and light sensors were cleaned. All Zincs were checked.

Madeline reported no zincs needing to be replaced at this time, although there is still the degrading zinc on one of the chains that will need replacing in the near future.

The CTD validation unit was removed at 4:15.

Next scheduled basic cleaning is on or about September 16. Madeline left LSI on 8/31. I am scheduled to leave on 9/10. I will not be here for the next cleaning; please plan accordingly.

I am glad I could be of service to you folks by maintaining the stick this summer. It's too bad we didn't get a chance to meet in person. Perhaps that can be arranged sometime in the future.

-Adam

Basic Cleaning on 8/18

On Saturday 8/18, Madeline Weigner performed a basic cleaning of the stick. Due to scheduling constraints, she incorporated the stick cleaning into the dive plan of a visiting scientist, Josh Voss, and he assisted her.

Screens were checked and found to be in ok condition. All macro growth was removed from lines. All zincs were checked and are ok with the exception of the support chain zinc that is deteriorating. It is still functional, so it was left as is.

Next Scheduled Cleaning on or around 9/2. It is a full cleaning/groundtruthing. Madeline Departs LSI on 8/31, and we're going to try to squeeze in the cleaning before she leaves. Her last minute duties may preclude that, however.

I am scheduled to leave LSI on 9/10. So, the next cleaning will be my last cleaning of the season as well. Please plan accordingly.

Ciao,

Adam

Full cleaning on 8/8/07

On August 8, 2007, Adam Harrison and Madeline Weigner performed a full cleaning of CMRC3. The CT groundtruting censor was installed just before 11:45. In-situ cleaning was performed between 13:15 and 13:45.

All lines and chains were cleaned. All zincs were inspected and were found to be in sufficient condition to not warrant replacement. Shallow and Deep water light sensors were cleaned.

Both CTD's were cleaned; there was minor biofouling on the interior of the CTDS. The shallow CTD was missing one screen. Madeline determined that all of the remaining screens were significantly deteriorating and she replaced them all as well as replacing the missing screen.

There was heavy current and the CT groundtruthing unit was swept near the surface for the duration of the time we were in the water cleaning and was also near the surface when we retrieved the unit just after 15:15. I suspect that the unit was near the surface for the entirety of the groundtruthing process.

Ciao,
-AHarrison

CMRC basic cleaning 7/25

On 7/25 Jon Fajans and Adam Harrison performed a basic cleaning of CMRC 3.

Macro growth was removed from all lines and chains. CTD screens were checked and are ok. All zincs were checked. The missing zinc on the shallow CTD was replaced. The loose zinc on one mooring chain has corroded itself back into place and is secure. It was decided that we would leave that zinc in place until it completely wares out.

Jon Fajans checked the immediate area for signs of coral bleaching and found none.

Next scheduled cleaning is on or about 8/4 and is a full cleaning/groundtruthing.

Many apologies for the delay in posting this.
-Adam

CMRC3 full cleaning/groundtruthing 7/7/07

On the morning of 7/7/07 Madeline Weigner and Adam Harrison performed a full cleaning of CMRC3 including CT validation.

The CT validation unit was installed just after 6:30. Cleaning commenced at 8:15. The CT Validation unit was removed at 10:25.

All lines, cables, chains, anodes, and sensors were cleaned and are in good condition. The zincs are in similar condition to what was last reported 2 weeks ago. The zinc that was loose on the chain is no longer loose due to buildup of corrosion. It still is deteriorating and will need to be replaced in the near future.

I still have not received a replacement zinc for the shallow CTD.

There was very little biofouling inside either CTD.

There is some evidence of coral bleaching around the stick, however, most coral growth is looking very healthy.

Madeline noted on her recent dives at the NE Norman's site (adjacent to CMRC3) that there is evidence of recent coral bleaching. She's been diving that site almost daily and recognized increased bleaching this past week.


Next scheduled basic cleaning is on or about 7/20.

Ciao,
-Adam

CMRC3 basic cleaning on June 23, 2007

On June 23, 2007, Adam Harrison and Madeline Weigner performed a basic cleaning of CMRC3.

Surface inspection and in-water inspection were performed. Brushing of support ropes and chains was also performed.

All items were in working order and accounted for except as noted here:

Part of one copper screen on the 1m CTD had come free of the body. It was pushed back into place.

We did not receive a replacement anode for the 1m CTD, so it is still missing an anode.

The remaining anodes on the CTD's are showing wear and are about halfway depleted.

One large anode on one support chain is severely deteriorating and is loose. it is still connected to the chain, but it will need to be replaced soon.

Fire coral is growing on some of the cables, beginning at 3m and extending to above the 1m CTD. I do not know if this is a problem or not, but I thought you ought to be made aware of it. If it is a problem, let us know and we will eradicate it when we perform a groundtruthing/full cleaning in 2 weeks.

Ciao,
AHarrison