A Mobile Oceanographic Data Collection System

Abstract

International Ice Patrol US. Coast Guard Avery Point Groton, CT 06340 Since its establishment in 1914, the International Ice Patrol (IIP) has historically collected oceanographic data in support of its internationally mandated mission. The collected data are used to verify, maintain, and enhance IIP iceberg drift and deterioration models, iceberg behavior knowledge, and IIP's overall ability to perform its mission. In recent years, the US. Coast Guard, which operates the IIP for a consortium of maritime nations, has experienced major budget cuts, organizational policy adjustments, and other considerations all of which reduced the number of ships available for IIP's research efforts. By 1985, this reduction in the number of avai,lable vessels had reached a point where IIP was unable to know from one year to next which vessel , or even which type of vessel, would be available for research cruises. In response to this situation, IIP began irr 1986 to aquire a transportable data collection system. The collection system had to adapt lo a variety of vessels, and allow deployment on rellatively short notice. The system design consisted of a Mobile Oceanographic Lab (MOL) to provide laboratory space for computers, storage, and data collection and analysis, and a hydrographic winch and "A" Frame platform to deploy and recover oceanographic equipment. The MOL is 4.3 m long, 2.4 m high, and 2.4 rn wide, and was constructed from a standard steel 6 m cargo container. It was converted into a lab space b y installing countertops, cabinets, equipment racks, and a wet sink. Step-down transformers conveil the 440 VAC from the ship to normal 110 and 220 VAC fclr the MOL to power internal lighting, air conditioning, computer equipment, and various electrical outlets. E!xcluding computers and consumables, the MOL weighs approximately 3200 kg. The MOL and associated equipment can be installed on a ship in approximately one day, and removed in several hours. The MOL and hydrographic winch were tested aboard a US. Coast Guard 180 buoy tender in April 1987. During May 1987, the entire system (including "A" frame) was sucessfully deployed for a monlh long 'oceanographic cruise. During this cruise, 88 CTD stations and 118 XBT casts were conducted. Experience gained from this cruise led to additional improvements to the original design.