Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Cruise Planning Synopsis


AT29-02

Ship

R/V Atlantis

Vehicles

AUV Sentry, HOV Alvin

Cruise Party

Christopher Reddy: Principal Investigator
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Fye 107B, MS#04 Woods Hole, Ma. USA 02543
+1 508 289 2316
creddy@whoi.edu

Charles Sharpless: Principal Investigator
University of Mary Washington Fredricksburg, VA USA
+1 540 654 1405
csharple@umw.edu

David Valentine: Principal Investigator, Chief Scientist
University of California Santa Barbara 1006 Webb Hall, Department of Earth Science Santa Barbara, CA US 93117
+1 805 893 2973
valentine@geol.ucsb.edu

Departure: Jun 15, 2015

St Pete

Arrival: Jun 29, 2015

St. Pete

Operations Area

Gulf of Mexico
Lat/Lon: 26° 47.092′ N / 94° 31.827′ W
Depth Range: min / max (m)
Will the vessel be operating within 200 NM of a foreign country? Mexico, but in US waters
Are visas or special travel documents required? no

Science Objectives

The primary scientific objective of the cruise is to track the chemical changes to oil during the weathering progression from sea floor to sea surface to weathered slick.

Secondary objectives include assessing the ability of bacteria to consume select components of oil, testing of new methods for in-situ measurement of sulfate reduction rate, testing of new sampling methodologies for seeps, and a survey of deep ocean dump sites.

Science Activities

Alvin Operation at Oil and Gas Seeps and Brine Pools.  This will include:  Gas sampling; Oil Sampling; Water Sampling; deployment and recovery of in-situ incubations; Slurp sampling; mineral sampling; Coring. 

CTD Casts:  We plan CTD casts to collect water samples.  Estimated number of casts for the entire cruise is 12.

Sentry Operations:  We plan Sentry operations when Alvin is not in the water (= mainly overnight).  We plan to use the MBES, camera system, side scan sonar, subbottom profiler, CTD, and oxygen sensor.

Small boat (RHIB) sampling of oil slick from natural seeps.  This will be accomplished using a pole and net approach and is dependent on weather and sea state.  We would like to conduct these operations simultaneous with Alvin operations.

Additional Info

Pre-cruise Planning Meeting: Teleconference

Stations:

Supporting documentation:

»BOEM_Notice_Geological_w_TARGET_SITES.pdf
»ValentineReddy_Pre_Cruise_for_AT29-02.pdf
»GOM_Op_area_pic.jpg
»GOM_close_up_pic.jpg
»AT29-02_Google_Earth_Station_Plots_4-9-2015.pdf
»Station_Targets.xlsx

Funding

Funding Agency: NSF
Grant or contract number: OCE-1333162
Funding Agency: NSF
Grant or contract number: OCE-1333148

Scientific Instrumentation for R/V Atlantis

Shipboard Equipment

Bathymetry System 3.5 kHz
ADCP 75 kHz
Deionized Water System
Transponder Navigation - Sonardyne USBL
Navigation - Heading
Multibeam
Fume Hood
Navigation - Position

Shipboard Communication

Basic Internet access via HiSeasNet

CTD/Water Sampling

911+ Rosette 24-position, 10-liter bottle Rosette with dual T/C sensors
SBE43 oxygen sensor
Wet Labs ECO-AFL fluorometer
Wet Labs C*Star transmissometer (660nm wavelength)
Wet Labs FLNTURTD Combination Flourometer and Turbidity Sensor

Critical CTD Sensors

MET Sensors

Barometric Pressure
Air temperature
Relative Humidity
Wind speed and direction
Short Wave Solar Radiation

Sample Storage

Climate Controlled Walk-in
Freezer -70°C 25 cu. ft.
Freezer -70°C 3.2 cu. ft. ea.
Refrigerator 8.6 cu. ft.
Scientific Walk-in Freezer
Storage Notes:

Navigation

Will you be using Long Base Line (LBL) navigation? no
How many nets? null
How many tansponders? null
Will you be using Ultra-short baseline (USBL) navigation?no

Navigation

USBL
Navigation Notes:

Winches

CTD Winch with .322" Electro-mechanical wire
Winch Notes:
Winch Notes:

Standard Oceanographic Cables

Slip ring required? no
Non-standard wire required? no
Traction winch required? no

Portable Vans

Chemical Storage Van

Specialized Deck Equipment

Mooring Deployment/Recovery Equipment Required: no Type: 
Cruise Specific Science Winch Required: no Type: 
Nets Required: no Type: 

Over the Side Equipment

Will you be bringing any equipment (winches, blocks, etc.) that lowers instruments over the side? no

Special Requirements

Elecrical Power: no Identify 
Equipment Handling: no Identify: 
Inter/intraship Communications: no Identify: 
Science Stowage: no Identify: 
Water: no Identify: 

Additional Cruise Items/Activities

Explosive Devices:no
Portable Air Compressors:no
Flammable Gases:yes
Small Boat Operations:yes
SCUBA Diving Operations:no

Hazardous Material

Will hazardous material be utilized?yes
Describe deployment method and quantity:

Radioactive Material

Radioiosotopes:no

Additional Information

Is night time work anticipated on this cruise?yes
Specialized tech support (Seabeam, coring, other):
Other required equipment and special needs:

Scientific Instrumentation for HOV Alvin


Current Chart(s):

What type of samples do you expect to collect?Oil, sediment, water, seep gas, brine, asphalt, carbonate. null null null

Site Survey

Will you provide detailed charts of the work area(s)?no
If no, willl you need R/V Atlantis to generate maps of the work area(s)?no
Will you need post-dive maps of the work area generated?no

Navigation

Will you be using Long Base Line (LBL) navigation? no
How many nets? 0
How many tansponders? 0
Will you be using Ultra-short baseline (USBL) navigation for other than Alvin operations?yes

Vehicle Equipment

Bio collection boxes: 12 x 12 x 12
Bio collection boxes: 12 x 12 x 24
CTD
Large capacity slurp samplers: multi-chamber
Low temperature probe
Major (dual) pair water sampler(s) with ICL temperature probles
Push corers (12-pack rack)
Rock drill
Search sonar
Small capacity slurp samplers

Elevators

Will you be using elevators to transport samples to the surface?yes
If yes, how many would you anticipate? Possibly 2 - need to discuss.

Science Supplied Equipment

Are you supplying equipment to be used on HOV Alvin yes
Has this equipment been used on Alvin before? no
Please give a brief description of the equipment, its intended purpose, the cruise # it was last used on if any and its deployment method.
We will bring sampling devices to collect seeping oil and gas.  Some have been used with Alvin/Jason, most have not.  

We are also developing methods for sampling of brine pool water (advice is appreciated), and for conducting incubations of the brine in-situ.  Any chance we could attach a hose to  the SLURP pump that we could dangle in a brine pool?   This development in in progress, clearly.
Does this equipment use an external pressure housing? no
Has the pressure housing been tested per Alvin Pressure Test requirements? no
Pressure housing schematic with dimensions and include air and water weights.
Air weight of this equipment? TBD
Water weight of this equipment?
Does the equipment require a power interface from Alvin? no
Voltage required null
Power required
Data Interface
Does the equipment meet the electrical requirements of the Alvin User Manual? no
Please provide power and comms specifics, wiring diagram, pinout, and wiring harness in advance of the cruise.
Does this equipment require hydraulic inputs from the vehicle? no
Hydraulic schematic of the equipment requirements.
Does this equipment require manipulation? yes
If yes, please describe how the equipment is to be manipulated:
The Oil and gas samplers will be mounted to the front basket and deployed/retreived with handles, using the manipulator.

The in-situ incubation system is still being designed.
Will this equipment be deployed off the vehicle? yes
If yes, please describe how the equipment is intended for deployment:
The in-situ incubation system will be left at the sea floor for recovery on a subsequent dive.  Oil and gas samplers will not be deployed off the vehicle.
If yes, will the equipment be disconnected from the vehicle and left in situ? yes
How long will the deployment be? 1  Days
Will the equipment be recovered by the same vehicle? yes
Do you intend to recover any other previously deployed equipment? no
If yes, please describe this equipment:
Does this equipment use any glass spheres for either buoyancy or as pressure housings? no
Does the equipment have an associated computer or control panel for remote operation from the personnel sphere? no
Has the computer or control panel been gas tested for use in the personnel sphere? no

Hazardous Material

Will hazardous material be utilized?no
Describe deployment method and quantity:

Additional Information

Brief operations description or comments:
We will visit oil and gas seeps, and brine pools. I expect 3-4 oily dives.  We also have ~six days of transit.

We could use advice on brine pool sampling, as B-ruce has more experience with brine pools than we do.
Navy Clearance:
Granted 05/18/15:
WITHIN 5 NM RADIUS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS DURING PERIOD 150000T THRU 292400T JUN 15.
  27.00N  90.28W
  27.14N  90.45W
  27.00N  90.60W
  26.99N  90.82W
  27.02N  90.94W
  26.97N  91.03W
  26.68N  91.51W
  26.85N  91.61W
  26.92N  91.52W
  26.91N  91.70W
  26.74N  91.83W
  26.86N  91.96W
  26.64N  92.22W
  26.54N  92.44W
  26.41N  92.50W
  26.36N  92.68W
  26.15N  92.65W
  26.31N  92.42W
  26.17N  92.03W
  26.08N  92.03W
  26.46N  91.97W
  26.84N  92.71W
  26.71N  92.63W
  27.02N  92.08W
  27.24N  91.61W
  27.38N  91.82W
  27.28N  91.67W
  27.12N  91.39W
  27.14N  91.34W
  27.21N  91.03W
  27.36N  91.05W
  27.46N  90.93W
  27.41N  91.37W
  27.53N  91.40W
  27.88N  89.80W
  28.68N  88.53W
  28.22N  89.45W
  27.50N  90.49W
  27.67N  90.82W
  26.79N  93.88W
  27.37N  90.57W
  27.05N  94.94W
  26.80N  94.68W
  26.78N  94.53W
  26.18N  94.62W
  26.39N  94.51W
  27.73N  94.73W
  26.89N  91.33W
  27.64N  88.36W
  27.32N  92.11W

Scientific Instrumentation for AUV Sentry


Current Chart(s):

What type of samples do you expect to collect?If only... null null

Site Survey

Will you provide detailed charts of the work area(s)?no
If no, willl you need R/V Atlantis to generate maps of the work area(s)?yes
Will you need post-dive maps of the work area generated?yes

Navigation

Will you be using Long Base Line (LBL) navigation? no
How many nets? 0
How many tansponders? 0
Will you be using Ultra-short baseline (USBL) navigation?yes
Will you be using Doppler/GPS navigation? yes

Science Supplied Equipment

Are you supplying equipment to be used on HOV AbeSentry no
Has this equipment been used on AbeSentry before? no
Please give a brief description of the equipment, its intended purpose, the cruise # it was last used on if any and its deployment method.
Does this equipment use an external pressure housing? no
Has the pressure case been tested to the anticipated depth of deployment?& no
Pressure housing schematic with dimensions and include air and water weights.
Air weight of this equipment?
Water weight of this equipment?
Does the equipment require data or a power interface from the vehicle? no
Does the equipment meet the electrical requirements of the Sentry User Manual? no

Cameras & Video

Digital Still Camera: Color

Additional Information

Brief operations description or comments:
Alvin operations will take place during the day, with Sentry operations worked in between Alvin dives, e.g., overnight.  Sentry will be used to scout potential dive targets for Alvin, with typical dives involving MBES, Sidescan, (subbottom?), and photoimaging.  One dive is expected at a dump site where we will use the above tools (plus a megnetometer if you have one...) to search for barrels and other signs of industrial waste dumping.

Checklist & Notes

Checklist

U.S. Customs Form: no
Diplomatic Clearance: no
Date Submitted:
Date Approved:
Agent Information:

St. Petersburg / Tampa, FL

SHIPPING ADDRESS FOR ALL PACKAGES FOR ST. PETESBURG FL:
RV ATLANTIS ( in transit)
Master R/V ATLANTIS
Attn: Scientist's Name - AT29-02
Port of St. Petersburg,FL.
250 Eight Ave. SE
ST. PETERSBURG. FL. 33701
tel: (727) 893 7051

Ship Agent on site will be Vasile Tudoran.

c/o Vasile Tudoran Transport
819 Ohio Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90804

Contact: Vasile Tudoran
Phone: (562) 882-5590
Fax: (562) 434-9800
Email: vtudoran@aol.com

Note: Agent and WHOI contacts Eric Benway and Kerry Heywood should be copied on all communications.  It is requested that shipment information of any equipment be communicated to the Agent and WHOI contacts
Countries:
n/a
Notes:
n/a
Isotope Use Approval: no
Isotope Notes:
SCUBA Diving: yes

Checklist

SSSG Tech:
Allison Heater & Catie Graver
AUV SENTRY loaded at St. Petersburg FL June 13th (5/7 -eb).