We have been working at our survey area in the Shumagin Islands for the past week. On Saturday we spent the entire day on a nearby island installing a tide gauge and base station. It was a beautiful day and a nice treat to get to go on land.
Today, we have two boats out surveying on my assigned sheet. I had to do some prep work for it last night and write up boat sheets so they would know where to go.
BASE STATION INSTALL
The base station install was a great success. We had a small Horcon team working on that and a large tide gauge team (including divers) installing a tide gauge at the same time. All of this was installed in the same area. This allowed us to work together and get everything done much quicker and with more ease. We were able to get a boat right up to the island to transfer personnel and gear. (It was much easier than at Chirikof Island).
Once we arrived, we got to work by bringing all the Horcon (Horizontal Control) gear to the top of the island. Once ready to set up, we (the Horcon team) had to install a benchmark. We install benchmarks for the level to be placed on top of, along side the antenna. This involves drilling into bedrock, applying concrete, and inserting the benchmark so it is level and doesn't move around.
Tide gauge party
Tide staff
Horcon site
Drilling into bedrock to install benchmark
Chiseling the area so the benchmark will fit properly
Mixing the cement for the benchmark
We also made sure that the benchmark itself was level before letting the concrete dry
Once the base station was setup we installed some bolts into the bedrock so the solar panels could be secured. Although it was a gorgeous day, we need to think about the kind of weather that occurs in the Shumagins. We certainly don't want to lose any of our gear because it wasn't secured properly.
We used parachute chord to tie the solar panels down to the bolts. Once this was accomplished we plugged the solar panels into the batteries that power the base station to make sure everything was working properly.
Securing solar panels for the base station
Leveling
Everything has to be very secure due to extreme weather
Base station
Making sure it is still level
Completed base station
As we were finishing up, the tide party was completing their level run
After a day on the island, the fog rolled in. It was spectacular to see the fog fall like that
BOAT SHEETS
Just a little refresher on what polygons are and why/how we use them. Each survey area we are assigned to is broken up into different sheets. These sheets are assigned to a sheet manager (who may also have a sheet mentor or assistant ). Each sheet manager is then responsible for determining the way the data is acquired by drawing polygons (with approval, of course). The Shumagin Islands survey has been broken up into 9 sheets, as shown below.
Shumagin Islands Survey area
Each sheet manager spends time drawing polygons within their sheet limits. The polygons become "workable" areas for the launches. So, when we send the launches out, we can assign a certain number of polygons to them in a certain area that we predetermine as safe. It also allows us to be flexible in cases of bad weather. A launch can move to a different polygon in a more protected area, for example.
Today, we sent out four launches to do data acquisition, two of which are acquiring data on my sheet. In order for the launches to do this, the sheet managers have to make a boat sheet. Our boat sheets instruct the launch party where they need to survey, which polygons to fill in, what files have been uploaded, any dangers, etc. It is important to include any and all information relevant to the area that they are surveying. Here is my boat sheet.
I have been assigned to night processing tonight, so I'm looking forward to getting my hands on some data for my sheet.
DATA ACQUISITION
Some days are better than others for data acquisition. We have been lucky with the weather thus far, but we have had some more crummy days as of late.
Here are some cool pictures I took while on a launch. We were planning on going out to survey, but the weather picked up quickly, so we returned to the ship.
Launch hiding behind a large wave
We have had some bumpy transits as well. I was lucky to get some great wave and sunset pictures.
Our next inport will be Kodiak, again. We will arrive in Kodiak on Friday and spend the long weekend there before heading back out to the Shumagin Islands.
BEGINNING OF FALL SEMESTER
It is the beginning of a new semester and we are leaving Homer, AK. We spent four days here on a quick inport before heading back to Chirikof Island. Our plan is to finish up the last bit of work in Chirikof before heading to our new survey area in the Shumigan Islands. The beginning of the fall semester marks a perfect time for me as I will get to begin work on my assigned sheet in the Shumigan Islands. So, a new project for a new semester.
Sheet assignment in the Shumigan Islands- off of Simeonof Island
HOMER, AK
Homer is a quaint little Alaskan town with a population of 5003. Considering the small population, you would never know how small this town is. There is a constant influx of tourists coming in from the cruise ships. A few of my shipmates went on a bear viewing tour, some went camping (me included), fishing, etc. There is so much to do in these small Alaskan towns. The views were spectacular and it was a nice bit of time off after being on the ship for a three week leg. There are several visitors centers in and around town, providing ample information about the wilderness, animal life, marine life, etc. I also noticed that the people of Homer seem to be very friendly.
A landmark that must be visited is the Salty Dawg Saloon. It is located on the Homer Spit, (which makes it conveniently close to the docked ship).
Arrival in Homer, AK - view of Kachemak Bay
The Rainier S 221 in Kachemak Bay
Homer sunset
Walking around town with a view of a glacier
Deep water dock
Variety of Visitor Centers in and around town
The Homer Spit
DEPARTING HOMER
On our way to Chirikof, I got to see yet another spectacular sunset. I stepped out onto the fantail and saw snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, a huge pod of whales, and this:
END OF SUMMER SEMESTER 2012
I have spent 12 weeks on the Rainier (much longer than the expected 8 weeks) and will be extending my internship through the fall semester 2012 and the Rainier field season (getting back to our home port in Oct. or Nov).. I will be continuing my blog through the fall semester as I delve deeper into hydrographic surveying.
Over the summer I have learned a lot of the basics for hydrographic surveying. Some of these include:
- Various software programs for data acquisition and processing
- Small boat handling
- Boat safety
- Multibeam sonar operations
- Processing and cleaning data
- Installing a base station
- Using MVP/CTD
- Tide gauge monitoring
- Measuring waterline
- Using davit to deploy/recover launches
- General ship life
- Fishing
- POSPac Processing and troubleshooting
- 3D fly-through of data acquired and processed. (see video below)
...just to mention a few. There is so much to make hydrography work. Each component is vital in creating valid data and updates to navigational charts. Some examples of the kind of work we do is below. The video shows a 3D fly-through of data that I was directly involved in acquiring, converting, processing, and cleaning. Some days the seafloor is flat and uneventful, other days we get to see really interesting bathymetry. This is also shown by the screen-grab of a large rock formation on the seabed. Additionally, I have included a screen-grab of an area near a log storage facility that shows many logs strewn about the seabed. Finally, I have included an image of a suspected shipwreck. This goes to show how versatile multibeam data can be and how it can be used for many different applications (not just navigational charts).
Interesting rock formation on the seabed
Logs on the seabed near a log storage facility
A suspected shipwreck
PROGRESS
Our progress of surveying the vicinity of Chirikof Island is displayed by the image below. We have spent many weeks scouring every inch of seafloor possible. We are very close to completion and will be heading to the Shumigan Islands for our next survey assignment after. It has been a great learning experience and I look forward to applying what I have learned especially to my own sheet in the Shumigans.
Progress of survey operations at Chirikof Island
LOOKING FORWARD
I am also working towards becoming HIC qualified so when I come back next season I will have more experience and qualifications. A HIC is the Hydrographer in Charge. Becoming qualified for this job takes a lot of time, research, and experience (about a year). Each time a launch goes out, a coxswain, a HIC, and at least one other survey tech is usually on board. The HIC is responsible for the data, safety of the team, and is generally a teacher for the newer survey techs. The HIC is also trained for emergencies so that if something were to happen to the coxswain, they would be able to return safely to the ship. It is important to know about the launch and how it operates, as well as troubleshooting capabilities for data acquisition. This minimizes time spent going back to the ship for minor software problems that a HIC can fix on site.
Additionally, I have been assigned as lead processor for POSPac (a software used to process true heave files). My job is to make sure we are staying up to date with our processing, training new people on the POSPac software, and troubleshooting data that doesn't process correctly initially. It has been exciting to work so closely with the data and understand why and how we use it.
For the last half of the season I have advanced as a Sheet Assistant. This job entails the following:
As a hydrographic survey sheet assistant you will be working
hand in hand with the sheet manager from the start of survey planning until the
end of acquisition. There is not a clear end to your duties. It is the manager’s responsibility to
train the assistant. There are times when the manager may not be able to help you as
much as you need, in that case go to the sheet mentor, other managers, the CST
or the FOO. This is your opportunity to learn and ask questions before you are
a sheet manager yourself, so use the time wisely.
Always ask your sheet manager first what they need you to
do. Your duties may include, but are not limited to:
Read
the Letter Instructions
Launch
Setup
Check
Hypack project (check zone and devices)
Digital
Files
Plan
or assist with planning VBES lines and XLs (~10%)
Plan or assist
with planning SWMB lines and XLs (8-10%)
Plan or assist
with planning Polygons
Bottom samples
planned & to Hypack (.dig or .tgt)
Bottom sample
Notebook files created (.HOB)
Convert shoreline
files from Notebook (.000 file)
Load any required
charts and/or ENCs
Setting up
(finding and copying) sheet/survey limits
BASE surface
generation & export
Hardcopy
Daily line plan and polygon chartlet
production
AWOIS
investigations printout for reference
Boatsheet
for shoreline investigation
During
Data Acquisition
Assist with
cleaning and exporting of field sheets for planning purposes
Acquire data on
launches during survey operations
Pydro
Setup
Open
any required charts and/or ENCs
Insert AWOIS
database
Configure PSS
metadata
Add a template
page (default.treetemplate)
Save PSS with the
name Hxxxxx.PSS
I have already created the polygons for our sheet and done all other prep work for pre-survey planning. The image below displays the polygons. Our assigned sheet is off of Simeonof Harbor and Island in the Shumigan Islands.One of the difficulties we face with our sheet is that there are no soundings recorded in our area. This makes estimations very difficult, as all of it depends on depth. I have made the polygons according to an estimated depth for each. We then calculate the size of the polygon, depth, and speed of the launch to figure out how long it will take a launch to fill in the polygon. I have estimated 12-15 launch days to finish the entire sheet. This could be an over- or under-estimation. In order to obtain a better idea of the depths, we plan to run some cross-lines along the sheet. If the depths are significantly off from my estimations, I will redraw and recalculate the polygons.
There are also several features assigned for investigation. This takes some prep work that minimizes danger to launch operation. It is important for the launch crew to know as much as possible about the feature under investigation so not to damage the launch or harm the crew in any way. This also goes for shoreline operations.
Polygons for sheet assignment
SHIP LIFE - BENEFITS & INTENT
The benefits I have gained (and will continue to during the fall semester) will allow me to advance much quicker in my career choices. As mentioned earlier, I would like to come back again as an intern next field season. This would give me an opportunity to learn even more and be given more responsibilities that will aid in getting me a permanent job in Hyrography. My original intent was to check out the NOAA Corps and see what ship life was like, gain some ship experience in case I was still interested in applying to the NOAA Corps.
It has been a great opportunity for me as I have been able to interview many different officers of the NOAA Corps and get different viewpoints of the job and what it all entails.
I am still very interested in applying to the NOAA Corps and will make a decision after I graduate. This internship has opened up many different possibilities for me with the experience I have gained. Another option is to apply as a Survey Tech after graduation. This is likely since I will have a considerable amount of experience, training, and qualifications under my belt.
Being a hydrographer on a ship is not an easy job. Ship life is very different from normal life and is something to consider before applying for a long-term position. As with everything there are pros and cons to this job. For example:
Benefits:
- Free rent, utilities, and food
- Snacks and refreshments available anytime
- Movies and games available on board
- Get to see vacation hotspots while getting paid to do so
- Have an opportunity to pioneer places that have never had data recorded
- Is not a boring office job
- Get to see marine/wildlife on a regular basis
- Get to use a variety of softwares/ do a variety of jobs.
- Everyday is different
- Constant learning environment
- Workout facility on board
- Opportunity to move to a different NOAA ships
- Get opportunities to do once in a lifetime things like climbing glaciers, bear sightings, skydiving, fishing, kayaking, camping in remote areas in Alaska
- Government employee benefits
- Comradery (going out with shipmates)
- Many possibilities for advancement
Hardships:
- Roommates in tight quarters (not very much privacy)
- Spend a significant amount of time away from home, family, and friends
- No WiFi
- No skype, or streaming internet
- Sometimes have limited internet connection
- Very limited cell phone coverage
- 7 day work weeks while underway (this becomes especially hard when out for three week legs
- No bathtubs
- Not a job for someone who gets seasick
- Can be difficult to work/learn new software when the ship is rolling/pitching a lot
- Confined on the ship for long periods of time
- Steep learning curve (which can also be exciting)
Considering all the benefits and hardships, I think this is an incredible job and believe the benefits definitely outweigh the hardships. I suppose it wouldn't be a great job if it was easy all the time.
Overall, I am really hoping to come back next season. I'm looking forward to learning more during the fall semester and hopefully next season. The plans aren't set yet, but it looks like the Rainier might be going to the Arctic Circle next season. I would be very excited about being a part of that team.
As said earlier, I plan to continue my blog during the fall semester. These blog posts will go into more detail of hydrography and what it entails to be a hydrographer. I hope you have enjoyed my posts thus far and as always, I look forward to your comments. Greetings from Alaska!
