Just a few things:
I found out you CAN NOT send attachments through the list server.
I sent this a couple of times before IAGLR as an attachment and now I know why know one responded. (It just deletes the message with no feedback.) I should have figured this out when I did get the email either. DAH
This is the basic text of the talk I gave at IAGLR. Mark is going to take my Power Point and put it on the web. I am asking all of you to edit the below talk with any suggestions. Once that it is completed we hope to do two things: 1. Send it to IAGLR as a paper for their journal, 2. Put it on the web page as a reference for other scientist and Captains. I know I will have to change a few things before I send it for review, but I wanted all of you to get a first cut.
Let me know what you think!
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I know this is to be primer for scientists to know before coming aboard a research vessel, but before I get started I wanted to bring you up to date with some of the changes in technology that has improved Research Vessels.
Over the years increases in technology have changed every aspect of society and one of those changes has most notably been the development of GPS. GPS which was developed originally for Department of Defense and Navigation; has grown world wide to control everything from UPS packages to your cell phone. This is just one aspect of the changes that have occurred in the Maritime community. This technology allows research boat captains to station keep and repeat a track more accurately than ever before. Many computers and GPS can even download the tack in an exportable format for scientist to use when processing their data at a later date.
Every day engineers and marine architects are designing vessels that are stronger, more fuel efficient and more importantly more stable than there predecessors. Computer enhancement has lead to the ability to custom build a vessel to meet a customer’s specific needs. These same boats can be designed to station keep more precisely than ever before under the harshest conditions. Engines are more fuel efficient and quieter burning Bio-diesel. Even the hydraulic are faster and smoother. Unfortunately, most ships on the Great Lakes are over 30 years old and still carry some of that vintage technology. Although, most have upgraded their electronic navigation to GPS from LORAN some may or may not have computer Navigation and the accuracy is dependant on the model of GPS they purchased.
SONARS and RADAR have made great leaps in technology and capabilities, unfortunately many of the ships on the Great Lakes have not had the funding to expend to upgrade these devices. Depending on your needs this may be an essential question to find out about the vessel before using it.
The ability to know actual weather conditions and accurate forecasting at a moments notice has always been critical to ship and science operations. Cell phones and satellite and HF communications can provide a wealth of information to crew underway let alone the information on the internet.
With these new technologies has created a situation that captains have to stay up to date and grasp these technologies making them more and more a professional than ever before. It is already know that a Research Vessel Captain has to be a breed above other Captains. They are asked to do things to boats most Captains would think is crazy (putting a wire over the side near props and then stations keep in rough seas to a very exact position), while all the time worried about the safety of the crew and passengers which by Federal Law are his direct responsibility.
Even with all the technologies listed above this work parallels with the Fishing Industry which is considered the most dangerous occupation as rated by US department of OSHA. With all this information at your finger tips there still seems as if there is a disconnect between the science vessel boat crew and the scientist and it with this talk I hope to reduce that wall.
Planning:
I would like to discuss some critical points that must be understood for a successful cruise.
First and foremost is to have a basic plan and an objective of want you want to accomplish. If you plan on multiple samplings determine a pecking order of what is critical and what is not. Many cruises change underway based on weather or equipment failures and having variable game plan is a must.
Once this has been established now would be a good time to engage the Captain of the vessel you plan to use. The wealth of knowledge that these professionals have can be invaluable in the continuations of the planning process.
First and fore most they are going to have the understanding of the ship capabilities and how your equipment will integrate. Things that may need to be determined:
1. Who is going to provide what equipment – trawl nets, core samplers, Van Doran, CTD, plankton nets, just to name a few. There are times ships have many of the high priced specialized equipment that is set up for that ship, but there are times when scientist trusts the calibration and capabilities of their own equipment. Just decide who is providing what before the cruise and your underway and at the site and wondering why this person didn’t bring this and your head back to port with a loss of ship and sampling time.
2. Equipment voltage and amperage requirements. Some samplers require special voltages and phasing requirements and maybe only one of department’s vessels can supply that, but discussion with the Captain may allow for the bringing aboard of a portable generator which is something I have done in the past.
3. Weight considerations and weight distributions and size of equipment - You may dream of carrying your entire lab on board along with the largest sampler you could buy, but there are both realistic size and weight considerations that must be adhered to for the safety of the crew and vessel. The Captain during your discussion can best tell you how much you can bring and were it can be stowed. Most research vessels have had stability test performed that determine the center of buoyancy and righting arms. The captain will tell you were the best place to stow equipment to keep the center of gravity below the center of buoyancy.
4. Winches, Booms, Wire and Attachments – again many vessels are equipped with specific size hardware that is built for the size of the boat and its stability. Discussing with the Captain the equipment and weight and how you plan on deploying the device (weather over the side or off the stern). During the discussion you may find the cable that is onboard is too heavy and won’t allow the device to sink correctly. The captain maybe willing to splice a thinner wire on the end of the heavy wire or maybe change the wire out entirely. Or more importantly the wire or a block may not have the load rating for the equipment. Also make sure all attachments have locking devices to prevent disconnecting and loss of equipment.
5. Lab Space – This goes along with number 3, but more focused on the inside space requirements and capabilities. Things to ask: Size of space and is it shared, what chemicals may I bring aboard (radioactive, acid , base, etc), waste disposal, computer capabilities, electrical outlets 12v or 120V or 220v, ventilation, stability of space (location).
6. Who is going to perform what duties onboard? Some ships the ships crew deploy all devices while other boats the scientific party becomes part of the crew and expected to do most of the work.
7. Particular of the ship and sampling interaction: Determine the need to station keep and how accurate does that station need to be kept. If you are cruising a track, what is the acceptable error in deviations? What is the cruising speed of the vessel and what time is it going to take to sample at each site. These factors will be used to develop a cruising plan.
Sampling area – although Scientist have a strong understating of the process involved in the area they want to sample, the Research boat captain has intimate knowledge of the water including obstructions, known currents and hazardous conditions. This knowledge is being fed from sources such as the USCG Notice to Mariners and interacting with other boat captains who are always on the water and shear personal experience. Talking and asking the Captain about what he knows about the area could only enhance your sampling.
When on board there are few considerations that must be recognized.
First and foremost the Captain is in charge. By Federal law this is defined. These laws have been held up in court and many Captains have had actions taken against them strictly for being the one in charge whether they were the causative factor or not in an incident. If the Captain or one of his representatives tell you to do something safety related (with in reason) you must do it, considered it an order. Situation and emergency can develop onboard that requires immediate actions without time for explanations and this is when you may here the crew raise there voice and bark commands. Remember this is based on their need to communicate quickly the immediacy of what needs done not something personal against you.
GEAR
1. PFD - When onboard remember to wear the appropriated Safety equipment required for the operations and each operation may require separate safety gear. At a minimum you will be asked to wear a Life Jacket. Depending on the size of the vessel this may be relaxed when inside the cabin, but you must follow the direction of the Captain and crew.
2. Shoes – No open towed shoes are allowed. Nets and wire can catch a toe and tear it off along with no skin protection from either the sun or scrapes from equipment. Whether you wear rubber boots, steel toes, or a Gortex boots will be determined by the operation performed. This is something that is common sense and can be discussed with the Captain before coming aboard.
3. Clothing – This is again very dependant on the operation and the environmental conditions you are working in. Normally layered clothing with no lose ends that can get caught in any gear is recommend. New Gortex clothing has really changed the comfort level of crews for the best.
4. Other Gear – depending on the work performed safety harness, hard hats, exposure suits maybe required. Confirm with the Captain on these requirements.
Operational
1. Some thing that adds to a good cruise is a clean ship. Besides keeping your gear organized and put away, but helping with the general cleanup and pitching in to keep the work and galley area pickup adds to the safety and over all good feel of the vessel.
2. Having your gear secured and ready for a rogue wave at any moment will add to the safety of both your gear and the crew. Remember boats are dynamic platforms capable of many moving in any directions based on external forces that can be hard on equipment. Plan for the big one.
3. If motion sickness in your medical history start your course of treatment hours before you get underway. Taking medication when you start feeling queasy rarely works and most ships are not capable of advance medical care.
4. Any medical conditions should may affect your abilities should be brought to the attention of the Captain along with any medicines you have brought on board.
5. Drugs, Alcohol and Firearms are not permitted on most Research Vessels and smoking is strongly discouraged. That is what a port call is for. Smoking on most boats is usually regulated to one area down wind of the vessel.
6. Before you get underway you will be briefed on Fire, Man Overboard, and Shipboard Safety procedures. Please pay attention and ask any questions that you are unsure of. You will never know when you maybe asked to perform one of the above tasks.
7. Before putting any equipment over the sides confirm with the Bridge that it is safe to do it each and every time. To reinforce this: before any equipment goes over the side the Captain must give the OK each time.