All All Regions Regions Workshop #1, Workshop #1, Barcelona Barcelona 55--7th Sept. 20077th Sept. 2007

Steve EtchemendySteve Etchemendy

MBARIMBARIetst@mbari.orgetst@mbari.org

MARS MARS –– Monterey Accelerated Research Monterey Accelerated Research SystemSystem

MARS Monterey Accelerated Research System

MARS Status• Shore landing completed• Cable and trawl proof node installation

completed• Four major sub-systems have been integrated

and tested at MBARI (pressure housing, bulkheads, science harnesses from MariPro, DCS (Data Communication System) from WHOI, LV (Low Voltage) system from APL) and CTA (cable termination assembly) from Alcatel.

• Remaining major sub-system, the medium voltage converters. Alcatel delivered prototype MV converter to MBARI August 15. Integration and test to continue at MBARI. The final MV unit for deployment in MARS should be delivered to MBARI in May 2007.

• Oct-Nov 2007 Install node in frame, commission MARS

Observatory Service and Maintenance Operations

1. Planning for maintenance functions2. ROV operations- particular challenges3. Science requirements – instrument interference

issues4. Operational procedure trials prior to going to sea5. Engineering and Operations as a team! Listen to

your pilots!

Planning for Maintenanceslide 1: electronics node

• Subsea electronics will not last the life of your observatory

• Plan for easy removal and maintenance of electronics and connectors etc.

Planning for Maintenanceslide 2: electronics package

• Subsea electronics bottles

• Syntactic foam for flotation

• Underwater connectors

Planning for Maintenanceslide 3: electronics deployment & recovery

Planning for Maintenanceslide 5

Practice insertion

ROV Operationsslide 1: planning

• Position connectors for accessibility: both for the manipulation and video

• Remember reactive forces pose problems for manipulation: stable footing for the ROV if possible

• Managing cable runs to sensor packages can be an issue

ROV Operationsslide 2: deploying science instrumentation- Elevators

Elevators often provide the best method to get medium sized packages to the bottom

ROV Operationsslide 3: deploying science instrumentation - ship deployed

ROV Operationsslide 4: deploying science instrumentation - ROV deployed

Science packages set up for the ROV stab arm deployment

Science package stab receivers

ROV Stabs

Science Requirements on Observatoriesslide 1:

• Hard things

– Escaping the effects of currents, waves etc. – Not interfering with other science sensors– Data distribution and power issues– Ownership and responsibility– Operating in high sea states– Precise timing for seismology

Science Requirements on Observatoriesslide 2:

Escaping the effects of currents waves etc.

Science Requirements on Observatoriesslide 3:

Spread out your science sensor projects

Practice Installing Science Sensors Before Going to Sea

Observatory Operations

• Observatory Standards– Power standards – Compatible with US/Can?– Communications - Compatible with US/Can?– Plug compatible with US/Can?

• Instrument Calibration– ESONET Standard : European calibration facility?– Metadata : Compatible with US/Can?

Observatory Operations

• DMAS – Data Management and Storage compatible or interoperable with US/Can system

• Ship/ROV support

Conclusion

• Observatory science is new and challenging

• Requires detailed planning between Science Engineering and Operations personnel

• Leaving out the experts in any of these fields will cost you huge penalties in the future.