(Click to enlarge) Daryl Swensen, Oregon State University Marine Technician Superintendent (center left) and Walt Waldorf, Ocean Observatories Initiative Senior Operations Engineer (center right), direct the recovery of the InShore Mooring Test 2 buoy during test activities on Aug. 6, 2011. Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) program has been testing of several instrument platforms planned for the Endurance Array off the Oregon coast. As part of those ongoing tests, the OOI team has been conducting a field and a field engineering and verification test, called Inshore Mooring Test 2 (ISMT2), to examine a number of mooring subsystems. The mooring, designed and constructed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Oregon State University engineers, was deployed March 19, 2011, near Newport. The team successfully recovered the mooring on Aug. 6, 2011. At-sea observations are being used to assess the static and dynamic performance of innovative mooring designs that will be incorporated into the final mooring to be deployed in 2013. Photos capture the successful equipment recovery as well as other test operations conducted. To read a full feature story about the range of Endurance Array activities taking place, please click here: Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Conducts Endurance Array Tests.
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- OOI and RV Wecoma personnel deploying the Benthic Experiment Package (BEP) test article off Newport, Ore., on Aug. 6, 2011. Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
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- Chris Holm, Ocean Observatories Initiative technician, ensures the Benthic Experiment Package (BEP) test article is correctly deployed from the stern of the RV Wecoma. The BEP test article was lowered to the sea floor and released using an acoustic release. The production BEP will be deployed and recovered using a UNOLS Global class ship and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
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- The Inshore Mooring Test 2 (ISMT2) buoy on Aug. 6, 2011 with the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the background. Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
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- Prior to recovering the Inshore Mooring Test 2 (ISMT2) buoy a CTD sensor was used to measure conductivity, temperature, and depth in close proximity to the ISMT2 buoy. These data will be used to post-calibrate the two CTD sensors mounted on the ISMT2 mooring. The ISMT2 buoy and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse can be seen in the background. Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
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- Recovering the barnacle-encrusted Multi-Function Node (MFN). The MFN serves as the mooring anchor as well as a platform for mounting oceanographic sensors. Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
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- OOI and RV Wecoma personnel recovering the Multi-Function Node (MFN). To the left is the sensor cage and the electromechanical stretch hose and to the right is the ISMT2 surface buoy. Photo Credit: Craig Risien, Oregon State University.
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- After recovering the Multi-Function Node (MFN), shown in the foreground, OOI and RV Wecoma personnel recovered the ISMT2 anchor. Photo Credit: Michael Vardaro, Oregon State University.
