Jason Operations:

We plan a series of benthic transects in the Santa Barbara Basin, using Jason to collect sediment cores and water samples and for the deployment/recovery of benthic landers (3) and microprofilers (2).  Along each transect we will conduct multiple deployments.  Our operational area is limited by bathymetry and the locations of the two shipping lanes.

We plan to operate three Benthic Chamber Modules during the expeditions to for in-situ incubations.  Our collaborator who developed the chambers is located at the AWI, and we have put him in initial contact with the Jason team. Modules will be deployed by Jason and may be sent tot he bottom either on the elevator or directly attached to Jason.   We envision a combination where one module may be attached to the front porch of Jason during Jason deployment, and the other modules sent down later in the dive using the elevator.  At the sea floor, Jason will place modules on the sediment surface and pick them up later.  We anticipate benthic chamber recoveries to the vessel using both Jason (attached to the front porch) and the elevators as well.  In addition to the benthic chambers, our collaborator will also provide micro-profilers that will be treated the same as the benthic landers insomuch as deployments and recoveries are concerned.  Both systems have been used extensively with other ROV systems, but not with Jason.  During the Jason operations we also plan to collect sediment push cores, water samples and microbial mat samples if possible.  Jason may also encounter and sample hydrocarbon seeps.
Sentry Operations

Sentry will be  used primarily for benthic imaging surveys, effectively flying the same transects as Jason, to image microbial mats on the sea floor. 

CTD Sampling

WE will occasionally conduct CTD casts to profile the water and to collect water samples (no more than ~8 casts).

Coring Activity

We will occasionally collect sediment cores using the multi-corer and the gravity corer.  The multi-corer needs to be equipped with 'skids' to prevent it from sinking into the very soupy sediment of the Santa Barbara Basin.   We do not anticipate coring more than a handful of times during the cruise.

Multibeam mapping

During the cruise we plan some multibeam mapping, mainly during transects and down time between Jason/Sentry deployments.  

Laboratory Work

Samples  retrieved using Jason/CTD/Coring will be used for various shipboard experiments, including chemical and microbiological analysis aboard the Atlantis.

Other activities

I am developing contingency plans for various scenarios, that will generally fit within the activities described above.

OTHER ISSUES:

Three important issues that need to be discussed are work in the vicinity of the shipping lanes,  shipboard water making, and mid-cruise transfer.  

1.  I suggest that we not conduct any over-the-side operations in the shipping lanes, and that we try and maintain a 500m stand-off from the lanes for ROV and CTD operations.  I can work in advance with the Captain on the proposed transects and how best to approach them.  

2. Because of our proximity to shore, water making has been an issue.  I suggest the Chief Engineer sit in on the conference call so we can plan/coordinate accordingly.  

3. We will be working in close proximity to Santa Barbara Harbor and as in previous cruises, I plan for a mid-cruise transfer of some personnel.  This has previously been done by small boat operations, sending the RHIB to the harbor for pickup/drop-off, and is dependent on sea state.