Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, United States, North America, North Atlantic,
Summary
Four tripods and two slack moorings were recovered. On arrival at the site, the micropod (#858) and the two moorings were recovered before strong south and southwesterly winds caused an unworkable sea state (6 foot seas and swell). From the acoustic release codes, the north flo-bee tripod (854) was tipped over. The south tripod (857) spectra lifting line parted on the first recovery attempt. Ship made for Beaufort, NC where it remained tied up at the R/V CAPE HATTERAS dock at the courtesy of Duke Marine Labs the morning of May 2nd. Science party waited 8 days for the next weather window, departing Beaufort on the evening of May 9th into 6-7 foot seas to be on station first light on May 10th. Recovery operations continued in 4 foot and diminishing seas at the North site first; after neither recovery float surfaced, the ROV was used to hook in to the tripods and successfully recover. The minipod (855) floats were detached and floated away. The ROV was strongly influence by bottom currents, and the ship's dynamic positioning capability was key to getting the lifting lines hooked in with the ROV. The ship returned to the south site, where the first attempt with the ROV accidentally hooked a guy wire, which had to be cleared and in the process bent the down pole holding the Green ADV probe, shearing off the probe and tipping the tripod. On the second success full hook in with the ROV, the new spectra lifting line also parted. The third attempt was successful. Thus all gear was recovered except one probe and set of recovery floats. Moorings recovered: 6 (#853, 854, 855, 856, 857, and 858, all deployed FA 09003 CONNECTICUT Jan. 9-15, 2009).
Comments
Mooring numbers 853-858. This activity is based on Field Activity 09003, which was the deployment cruise for this experiment.
Project = Carolinas: Sediment Transport, Carolinas: Sediment Transport
