Useless Bay

We are finally underway! Last night, we set out to Ketchikan, AK at 18:00. On our way, we stopped at Useless Bay to do an MVP cast. This is very similar to doing a CTD cast but on a much larger scale. The MVP is a Moving Vessel Profiler and does basically the same thing the CTD does: collect data for us to calculate sound velocity. This data is for the ship rather than the launches.

Before doing the cast we calibrated our GAMS (GPS Azimuth Measurement Subsystem) which is basically calibrating our antennas to figure out our heading and aiding. This is part of the POS MV (Position and Orientation System of Moving Vessel) and has been designed to be a complete integrated solution for measurement of position (latitude, longitude, and altitude), orientation (roll, pitch, heading), heave, velocities, and performance metrics.

Our route from Seattle to Useless Bay

On our way, I was able to snap some great sunset pictures of Useless Bay, which is located on Whidbey Island, about 30 miles north of Seattle. It is named Useless Bay because it was too shallow for the tall ships of the early explorers. The tide goes out nearly a mile, exposing a vast expanse of sandy tide flats.
I learned that the best way to calibrate the GAMS is to drive the ship in figure 8s at a relatively fast speed. Because the ship was driving in all different directions, I was able to get some great pictures from many angles. We also saw a huge rainbow stretching across Useless Bay. It was a beautiful night.

 

   



Rainbow over Useles Bay, WA



 By the time we got to Useless Bay it was about 20:00. We calibrated the GAMS, then we began the MVP cast at 21:30. This involves basically the same steps as the CTD cast. Though, instead of dropping the unit into the water with a small winch, a large machine does the heavy lifting. Additionally, the unit itself is shaped like a torpedo rather than a tube. After the unit (or fish) is in the water, we drop it down to a target depth to collect the data (our target depth was 75 meters). Once it reaches the target depth, we hoist it back out of the water.

Johnny prepping the MVP for the cast

Guiding the fish into the water

Guiding the fish back onto the ship

 

Stowing the MVP


In addition to helping out with the MVP cast, I got to observe on the Bridge. It was really interesting to see how the ship is operated. There are so many set protocols that have to be followed in order to ensure safety and success of operations and navigation. I hope to spend some more time on the bridge in order to get a better understanding of navigation. Here are a few pictures of my observations.

View from the Bridge

Lookouts

Radar

Sextant navigation tool

Engine controls

LOCATION:
This is the current location of the Rainier on our course from Seattle to Ketchikan, as of 13:30 on 6/6/2012. We are now in Canadian waters. Again, our progress of the voyage can be viewed via the NOAA Shiptracker http://shiptracker.noaa.gov/shiptracker.html.