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.
This site is for providing CMRC3 ICON/CREWS field maintenance records for NOAA/AOML/ICON data management purposes. Please update this blog whenever new operations are performed in the field, so that AOML can coordinate their efforts with the CMRC ICON/CREWS field efforts.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Saturday, September 01, 2007
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
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
Monday, August 20, 2007
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
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
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
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
Monday, July 30, 2007
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
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
Monday, July 09, 2007
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
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
Sunday, June 24, 2007
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
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
Saturday, June 09, 2007
CMRC3
On Jun 8th the station was cleaned and ground truthed by FIO staff Jon Fajans and Andrew Crowder. LSI interns Adam Harrison and Madeline Weigner were trained on the operations and will continue with biweekly checks/cleanings through August. The moorings, zincs, chains and cables all appeared to be in good working order without evidence of extreme wear. The shallow CT is in need of a small zinc for the casing hose clamp. The FIO staff left 4 spare screens and some dielectric grease.
Next scheduled visit for basic cleaning on or about June 22nd.
Please send a couple of CT clamp zincs.
mweigner@email.smith.edu
ajharrison@mail.txwes.edu
Peace out....
jfajans
Next scheduled visit for basic cleaning on or about June 22nd.
Please send a couple of CT clamp zincs.
mweigner@email.smith.edu
ajharrison@mail.txwes.edu
Peace out....
jfajans
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Maintenance Update
May 2-3, Jules Craynock, Jon Fajans, Andrew Crowder and I cleaned the station and conducted a ground-truth. There had been no maintenance on the station since October, but the fouling on the structure wasn't as bad as anticipated. After two visits, the station was pretty well cleaned.
Jim Hendee
Jim Hendee
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Brain unplugged
We (Mike Jankulak, Lew Gramer, Nancy Ash) just unplugged the brain from the stick and will try to reinstall this afternoon.
We also scrubbed down all the chains, lines and instruments. The station looks pretty good. Water extremely clear, weather good, a very nice day to be in the field.
Jim
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
CMRC3 offline
Transmissions from CMRC3 ended abruptly last Sunday evening at 10pm EDT (Monday at 200 hours UTC). This was approximately four and a half days after our last visit (Wednesday morning) during the recent maintenance trip.
The most likely suspect is a failure of the transmitter or its cables and antennae. CMRC3 transmissions, including datalogger and transmitter diagnostics, were entirely normal up until the time of failure. The final transmission had 53 of 75 reported fields present and the rest was ascii garbage, but instrument counts and diagnostics indicate that the station was operating normally during that last hour before transmitting.
Therefore there's reason to hope that the station continues to operate silently and is recording its data to the station's memory module. The Shallow-CTD was of course offline but it, too, records its data to flash memory and we expect to retrieve those data in the next trip.
The next maintenance trip will involve troubleshooting the transmitter problem and running a new cable for the Shallow CTD.
-- Mike Jankulak
The most likely suspect is a failure of the transmitter or its cables and antennae. CMRC3 transmissions, including datalogger and transmitter diagnostics, were entirely normal up until the time of failure. The final transmission had 53 of 75 reported fields present and the rest was ascii garbage, but instrument counts and diagnostics indicate that the station was operating normally during that last hour before transmitting.
Therefore there's reason to hope that the station continues to operate silently and is recording its data to the station's memory module. The Shallow-CTD was of course offline but it, too, records its data to flash memory and we expect to retrieve those data in the next trip.
The next maintenance trip will involve troubleshooting the transmitter problem and running a new cable for the Shallow CTD.
-- Mike Jankulak
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Maintenance Update
Mike Jankulak:
Tuesday, October 3: boat-support for dive work; attempted to contact brain via radio units but couldn't; climbed stick, installed rungs and removed brain to take it back to land; downloaded memory module contents; replaced and rewired brain's radio unit; wrote a new CMRC3 program to include bic re-address logic and tested it thoroughly; pulled a new cable for shallow BIC and rewired its plug at top; swapped out surface bic; reinstalled brain (but GPS cable is knocked loose); confirmed that station was NOT transmitting
Wednesday: fixed GPS cable in brain; attempted to fix broken shallow-ctd plug but doesn't work; tidied/sealed station and removed rungs (twice!).
Jim Hendee:
The station lines and chains were cleaned, the shallow CTD swapped out, and all three BICs swapped out. Station should undergo some reorganization of the cables and more intensive cleaning.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Cleaning
Team of Jules Craynock and Jim Hendee cleaned the station lines and equipment of biofouling. No extensive bleaching, but some isolated spots on Siderastrea and a species of brain coral (pictures were taken). At nearby North Norman's Patch Reef, there was some bleaching on isolated sections of a not-so-healthy thicket of Acroporis cervicornis (many dead areas from apparently last year).
Jim
Jim
Friday, June 30, 2006
Cleaning
Jules Craynock and Nancy Ash cleaned station June 29th. Jules reports some moderate bleaching of brain corals.
Jim
Jim
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
May maintenance
Monthly cleaning was done with the ground-truthing CT and was checked for any wear and tear, which was in really good conditions. The only exception was for the surface rust on the upper links of the chain where it meets the stainless steel shackles. In all upper links of the chain, zincs were installed. As well most of all the shackles were moused with wire, which replaced the older zip ties that were in.
Besides the maintenance, the deep water CTD sensor was exchange with a "new" CTD sensor with an improved capillary tube for the pressure sensor. The replacement was done between 0830-0930. The replaced CTD sensor was brought back to the lab.
Hector Casanova
Besides the maintenance, the deep water CTD sensor was exchange with a "new" CTD sensor with an improved capillary tube for the pressure sensor. The replacement was done between 0830-0930. The replaced CTD sensor was brought back to the lab.
Hector Casanova
Friday, April 28, 2006
Cleaned 8 legs/chains-spectra-lashings, only soft growth found.
Station in very good condition - lack of accumulated biofouling.
Ongoing cleaning efforts working well.
Many plastic ties brittle, breaking , and need replacement.
Groundtruthing schedule:
0845.............Connected groundtruth CT
0900 - 1000...Transmitting period
1015 - 1045...Cleaned sensors
1000 - 1200...Transmitting period
1215.............Disconnect CT
1300.............Normal transmit begins
Notes:
Need some sort of zinc(?) protection for all 8 upper links of galv. chain touching SS shackles- accelerated deterioration noted.
Two temporary white warning floats attached to legs 2 & 6. Original yellow floats probably stolen. Bahamian smallboats cutting close to pylon at high speed, even when work crew present with dive flag.
J.Craynock / H. Casanova
Station in very good condition - lack of accumulated biofouling.
Ongoing cleaning efforts working well.
Many plastic ties brittle, breaking , and need replacement.
Groundtruthing schedule:
0845.............Connected groundtruth CT
0900 - 1000...Transmitting period
1015 - 1045...Cleaned sensors
1000 - 1200...Transmitting period
1215.............Disconnect CT
1300.............Normal transmit begins
Notes:
Need some sort of zinc(?) protection for all 8 upper links of galv. chain touching SS shackles- accelerated deterioration noted.
Two temporary white warning floats attached to legs 2 & 6. Original yellow floats probably stolen. Bahamian smallboats cutting close to pylon at high speed, even when work crew present with dive flag.
J.Craynock / H. Casanova
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Basic Cleaning
CREWS STATION CLEANING CHECKLIST
Station ID: CMRC3
DATE: 04/16/06 Start time: 1530 End time: 1700
Type of cleaning:
X BASIC
COMPLETE
CTD Validation
BASIC Cleaning
X Surface inspection
X Underwater inspection – station support lines, chains,
mounting pins
X Optical sensor cleaning
X CTD screen cleaning
Optional sensor cleaning
n/a PAM fluorometer monitoring heads
n/a SAMI pCO2 cage or inlet
n/a Other, please specify
Comments:
COMPLETE Cleaning
Finish basic cleaning plus these additional steps:
Perform CTD validation
Clean all growth from spectra lines and chains
Inspect shackles
Base plate and grounding plate inspection
Clean spectra lines at base plate
Clean body of CTD(s) and light sensor(s)
n/a Clean all optional sensors
n/a PAM fluorometer distributor box, mounting stands, and cables
n/a SAMI pCO2 stainless mounting hardware and body
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Signed: Brenda Gadd
Date: 04/19/06
Station ID: CMRC3
DATE: 04/16/06 Start time: 1530 End time: 1700
Type of cleaning:
X BASIC
COMPLETE
CTD Validation
BASIC Cleaning
X Surface inspection
X Underwater inspection – station support lines, chains,
mounting pins
X Optical sensor cleaning
X CTD screen cleaning
Optional sensor cleaning
n/a PAM fluorometer monitoring heads
n/a SAMI pCO2 cage or inlet
n/a Other, please specify
Comments:
COMPLETE Cleaning
Finish basic cleaning plus these additional steps:
Perform CTD validation
Clean all growth from spectra lines and chains
Inspect shackles
Base plate and grounding plate inspection
Clean spectra lines at base plate
Clean body of CTD(s) and light sensor(s)
n/a Clean all optional sensors
n/a PAM fluorometer distributor box, mounting stands, and cables
n/a SAMI pCO2 stainless mounting hardware and body
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Signed: Brenda Gadd
Date: 04/19/06
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
partial full service
CREWS STATION CLEANING CHECKLIST
Station ID: CMRC3
DATE: 4/3/06 Start time: 09:50 End time: 13:40
Type of cleaning:
X BASIC
COMPLETE
X CTD Validation
BASIC Cleaning
X Surface inspection
X Underwater inspection – station support lines, chains,
mounting pins
X Optical sensor cleaning
X CTD screen cleaning
Optional sensor cleaning
n/a PAM fluorometer monitoring heads
n/a SAMI pCO2 cage or inlet
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: Chain marker buoys all missing. No line remnants on chains.
COMPLETE Cleaning
Finish basic cleaning plus these additional steps:
X Perform CTD validation
Clean all growth from spectra lines and chains
X Inspect shackles
X Base plate and grounding plate inspection
Clean spectra lines at base plate
X Clean body of CTD(s) and light sensor(s)
n/a Clean all optional sensors
n/a PAM fluorometer distributor box, mounting stands, and cables
n/a SAMI pCO2 stainless mounting hardware and body
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: E. Mueller showed Brenda Gadd cleaning, CTD validation and blogging procedures.
Signed: Erich Mueller
Date: 4/3/06
Station ID: CMRC3
DATE: 4/3/06 Start time: 09:50 End time: 13:40
Type of cleaning:
X BASIC
COMPLETE
X CTD Validation
BASIC Cleaning
X Surface inspection
X Underwater inspection – station support lines, chains,
mounting pins
X Optical sensor cleaning
X CTD screen cleaning
Optional sensor cleaning
n/a PAM fluorometer monitoring heads
n/a SAMI pCO2 cage or inlet
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: Chain marker buoys all missing. No line remnants on chains.
COMPLETE Cleaning
Finish basic cleaning plus these additional steps:
X Perform CTD validation
Clean all growth from spectra lines and chains
X Inspect shackles
X Base plate and grounding plate inspection
Clean spectra lines at base plate
X Clean body of CTD(s) and light sensor(s)
n/a Clean all optional sensors
n/a PAM fluorometer distributor box, mounting stands, and cables
n/a SAMI pCO2 stainless mounting hardware and body
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: E. Mueller showed Brenda Gadd cleaning, CTD validation and blogging procedures.
Signed: Erich Mueller
Date: 4/3/06
Monday, March 06, 2006
partial full service
CREWS STATION CLEANING CHECKLIST
Station ID: CMRC3
DATE: 3/5/06 Start time: 10:43 End time: 14:40
Type of cleaning:
X BASIC
COMPLETE
X CTD Validation
BASIC Cleaning
X Surface inspection
X Underwater inspection – station support lines, chains,
mounting pins
X Optical sensor cleaning
X CTD screen cleaning
Optional sensor cleaning
n/a PAM fluorometer monitoring heads
n/a SAMI pCO2 cage or inlet
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: Cleaned PAR sensors 3/4/06 at 14:00. All other tasks on 3/5/06.
COMPLETE Cleaning
Finish basic cleaning plus these additional steps:
X Perform CTD validation
Clean all growth from spectra lines and chains
X Inspect shackles
Base plate and grounding plate inspection
Clean spectra lines at base plate
X Clean body of CTD(s) and light sensor(s)
n/a Clean all optional sensors
n/a PAM fluorometer distributor box, mounting stands, and cables
n/a SAMI pCO2 stainless mounting hardware and body
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: Found cable tie siezing on one shacle missing - replaced. Removed loose cable ties securing cables and added new ones. Mooring line was seen to be frayed and untwisted at base. Use with caution.
Signed: Erich Mueller
Date: 3/5/06
Station ID: CMRC3
DATE: 3/5/06 Start time: 10:43 End time: 14:40
Type of cleaning:
X BASIC
COMPLETE
X CTD Validation
BASIC Cleaning
X Surface inspection
X Underwater inspection – station support lines, chains,
mounting pins
X Optical sensor cleaning
X CTD screen cleaning
Optional sensor cleaning
n/a PAM fluorometer monitoring heads
n/a SAMI pCO2 cage or inlet
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: Cleaned PAR sensors 3/4/06 at 14:00. All other tasks on 3/5/06.
COMPLETE Cleaning
Finish basic cleaning plus these additional steps:
X Perform CTD validation
Clean all growth from spectra lines and chains
X Inspect shackles
Base plate and grounding plate inspection
Clean spectra lines at base plate
X Clean body of CTD(s) and light sensor(s)
n/a Clean all optional sensors
n/a PAM fluorometer distributor box, mounting stands, and cables
n/a SAMI pCO2 stainless mounting hardware and body
n/a Other, please specify
Comments: Found cable tie siezing on one shacle missing - replaced. Removed loose cable ties securing cables and added new ones. Mooring line was seen to be frayed and untwisted at base. Use with caution.
Signed: Erich Mueller
Date: 3/5/06
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