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2010 Deep Sea Coral Cruise - west coast
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Blog June 11, 2010: Getting Ready

Ed Bowlby
Chief Scientist, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

NOAA research vessel McArthur II at the dock in Seattle
NOAA research vessel McArthur II at the dock in Seattle.
This is our fourth day tied up at a Seattle pier. All of the loading and most of the assembling of our specialized ROV (remotely operated vehicle) and AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) equipment are completed. Our respective ROV and AUV science teams have set up and organized the ship's dry lab for monitoring stations, as well as the nearby ROV's control van. We're in tight quarters but since we'll be working on alternating 12 hour shifts, we'll mostly be out of each other's ways. With sophisticated technology and electronics it takes considerable time to integrate and trouble shoot before setting off on the cruise.

Lights and cameras are attached to the front of the ROV 
(remotely operated vehicle)
Lights and cameras are attached to the front of the ROV (remotely operated vehicle).
This evening we cast off lines and head into Puget Sound to be on location early tomorrow morning for our final shakedown day. We'll be practicing launch and recovery for both ROV and AUV in the protected waters of Shilshole Bay. It's critical for the ship's officers and crew and the science team to be totally familiar with these operations and each other, since personnel safety and the vulnerability of these delicate science vehicles can be at risk once we start working along the exposed outer coast which typically includes rough seas.

Final testing of all systems for both vehicles will also occur on this shakedown day. This will include testing of video and digital still photography, high intensity lights, navigation and tracking of the vehicles from the ship.

Mary Sue Brancato reviews shift schedules and duty rosters 
with science team members Colby Brady, Sean Rooney, and Jennifer Bright
Mary Sue Brancato reviews shift schedules and duty rosters with science team members Colby Brady, Sean Rooney, and Jennifer Bright.
Science team members are becoming more familiar with working together, which not only makes for a successful research cruise but also for forging new friendships and information sharing. Our team of 15 hails from both east and west coast and we all look forward to actually being on location and conducting the dive surveys in two days.

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