Post on 14-Jun-2019
ORV – SAGAR KANYA
CRUISE REPORT Tsunami Buoy Operation in
Bay of Bengal
Cruise No. SK – 330
(09 May 2016 – 06 June 2016)
Submitted by
Mr. V. Ravi Chandra
Mr. D. Purna Chandra Rao
Chief Scientist, SK-330
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
Hyderabad – 500090
Acknowledgements:
I on behalf of the scientific team of SK-330 cruise, would like to
thank Captain Lallwyn GM Pinto, chief officer Vishant, chief engineer
and all officers, electrical engineers, catering crew, crane operators and
crew members onboard ORV SagarKanya, for their excellent co-operation
and good team work throughout the cruise in making this voyage a very
successful.
I wish to thank Mr.MM Subrahamaniyam and Pavan Shirodkar and
Rahul Mavi of NCAOR Goa, for all the administrative and logistics support
during the cruise, and Dr.Venkatesan, Head NDBP, NIOT Chennai, Mr
Muthumani, Sendhil, Mr Sasi Kumar for their support without which this
cruise would not have been a great success.
I sincerely thank agents Mr.Purushotaman, Mr.Anuj Sharma, and
Vijay and other team members of M/S Atlantic Shipping Corporation for
making all the paper works timely during sign on and sign off process and
also during port clearance of trucks and vehicle, customs clearance
process for port access.
Thanks to M/s NORINCO Engineers on-board for the works during
Deployment and retrieval operations and performing the Multibeam depth
survey, operating deep sea winch, and port side winch during ADCP
survey and deployment operations and CTD operation.
Finally I would like to thank all the members of scientific team of
SK-330 to make this a completely successful and enjoyable cruise.
Date: 06-June-2016 V. Ravi Chandra
Station: Tuticorin Chief Scientists, SK-330
Objectives:
This cruise was planned to accomplish five scientific operations.
The main objective of the cruise is to perform the schedule retrieval and
deployment operation of STB-01, and deployment of 3 more Tsunami
Buoys at new locations in Bay of Bengal STB-05, STB-04, STB-03 and
send the retrieved buoy for regular maintenance and refurbishment. A
batch of students from Goa University and Demphi college of Goa also
joined the cruise for internship/acclimatization, and participated in buoy
deployment operations as well as learned and exposed to various facilities
available in ORV Sagar Kanya, and conducted CTD operations and sea
surface salinity analysis as part of the training.
Cruise Track:
Initial Track:
The Initial plan of SK-330 cruise is from 09 May 2016 till 27 May 2016 to
sail from Chennai port directly to STB-05(N 13.50°, E 89.00°), STB-04(N
10.00°, E 88.50° ), STB-03(N 03.80°, E 91.70°), for Tsunami buoy
deployment operations and finally to STB-01(N 06.25°, E 88.88°)
Locations for Tsunami Buoy retrieval and deployment operations. After
the final mission reach Tuticorin port by 27th May 2016. Here is the initial
proposed track of the cruise.
Initial proposed route from Chennai port to STB 05, STB 04, STB
03, and STB 01 Locations in BoB.
Changed Track:
As there was a low pressure system which was reported on 13 May
2016, and further intensified into depression and deep depression during
14th, 15th, and 16th May 2016, there was a change in the route of the
mission due to extreme weather with wind speeds ranging around 27 – 32
knots and high swells, which reduced the speed of the vessel to 2.2
knots. This condition was reviewed by ship crew and scientific team. As
we have limited information of weather system, and no cyclone track
forecasts are available, with the limited information and to avoid any kind
of danger of getting caught in cyclone a change of course has been taken
towards Port Blair to take shelter at 23:30 IST on 16th May 2016 during
the transit from STB 05 location to STB 04 Location. So after travelling for
10 hours to a distance of 26 nm again the track has been changed back
to STB 04 location. Also after the deployment of STB 04 the plan was to
sail to STB03 location. But considering the weather conditions decided to
do the deployment/retrieval operation at STB01 location and move to
STB03 location. After reaching the station at STB01 location, due to
rough weather, decided to do the deployment operation first.
Route of SK-330 due todisturbance in low pressure weather
condition due to cyclone.
After the STB 01 deployment the vessel sailed to STB 03 location as
performance of retrieval of STB 01 operation need relatively calm
weather, and the existing weather is not conducive for retrieval operation
on 20 May 2016. After the deployment operation at STB 01 the vessel
moved to STB 03 location and performed the deployment operation at
STB 03 on 23 May 2016, and returned back to STB 01 location. Finally
after spending 2.5 days at STB 01 location for the retrieval operation, and
not finding conducive weather for a safe recovery of Buoy and BPR the
vessel headed to Tuticorin port for disembarkation.
Cruise Participants of SK-330:
The Scientific team of SK-330 constitutes scientists from INCOIS,
SAIC, NIOT, Norinco, DMS, and NCAOR. In addition to the scientific
personal, a group of students from Goa University and Demphi College of
Goa, have joined for internship/acclimatization of sea experience on
board. The list of Scientific team participated in SK-330 is given below.
Scientific Participants of SK-330:
S.No. Name of the Participant Designation Institute Nationality
01 Ravi Chandra Vedula Chf Scientist INCOIS INDIAN
02 Purna Chandra Rao Dande Dy Chf Scientist INCOIS INDIAN
03 Firoz Shah Prj Scientist-I NIOT INDIAN
04 James Robert Wrightsman Engineer SAIC USA
05 Shawn Jose Stoeckley Engineer SAIC USA
06 Rajapart Ramalingam Seamen DMS INDIAN
07 Sakthivel Devaraj Seamen DMS INDIAN
08 Emayavaramban Selvaraj Seamen DMS INDIAN
09 Udayakumar Raji Seamen DMS INDIAN
10 Yuvaraja Arumugam Seamen DMS INDIAN
11 K M Jayakrishnan Sr.Manager Norinco INDIAN
12 V C Sarathchandran Asst.Manager Norinco INDIAN
13 Avertano Callistus Luis Asst.Manager Norinco INDIAN
14 MManivannan Service Engineer Norinco INDIAN
15 Rahul Mavi SBA NCAOR INDIAN
16 Carol Arzu Bi Abedin Student Goa University
INDIAN
17 D’souza Jennita Anna Student
Goa
University
INDIAN
18 D’souza Tanvi Michael Student Goa
University
INDIAN
19 Fadte Gaonkar Diksha Ganesh Student Goa
University
INDIAN
20 Fernandes Alnilam Remny Student Goa University
INDIAN
21 Fernandes Christianna Student Goa University
INDIAN
22 Fernandes Roosevelt Student Goa
University
INDIAN
23 Gawas Sanyog Yogananda Student Goa
University
INDIAN
24 Ketan Govekar Shantikar Professor Demphi College
INDIAN
25 Gharde Adarsh Student Demphi College
INDIAN
26 Pratik Gajanan Kenaudekar Student Demphi
College
INDIAN
Deployment of SAIC Tsunami Buoys and Procedures followed:
The deployment of SAIC Tsunami buoy (referred as STB)
constitutes a series of well-defined procedure which ensures consistent
operation and functioning of Tsunami Buoy throughout the lifetime of the
Buoy till its scheduled maintenance. The deployment of STB constitutes 5
well defined steps to ensure a relatively consistent and efficient data
reception and its functioning. The steps are described in the following
section.
Multibeam Depth Survey:
Map showing 2X2 sqr km area and list of points for multi beam
depth survey around the BPR deployment location.
To ensure a relatively flat sea bottom, any new STB deployment location
has to be surveyed through multi beam echo sounder. The most suitable
location for a Tsunami buoy deployment would be a sea bottom with
<5°gradient.
A snap shot of the path traced by Sagar Kanya vessel during
multibeam echo sounding survey at the deployment location.
This ensures proper communication between BPR (bottom pressure
recorder) and surface buoy, and ensures that the BPR will always be in
communication with surface buoy which remains in the watch circle of the
BPR. A 2*2 km square area around the BPR drop point is selected for the
depth survey and vessel will be manoeuvred along a path which covers
maximum sampling points (around 25 points) separated by 500 meters
each so that a symmetrical array of sampling points are covered and give
a fairly good understanding of the sea floor. After the initial planning and
finalizing the required survey data points for depth survey, an initial
briefing has to be given to the bridge to navigate the vessel along the
decided course.
Analysis of the multibeam survey location with relatively flat sea
flour ( gradient <5 degrees)
The bridge and the on board scientific equipment team(Norinco team)
who operate the multi beam eco sounder, have same set of points to
collect depth information, and after the survey is finished results will be
analysed to find out the sea floor gradient. If the sea bottom’s gradient is
more than 5°, a new location has to be chosen for the Buoy deployment,
and again the survey has to be conducted. In case the gradient is <5°
the location can be used for deployment operation.
ADCP Profiling for Current Measurements:
To understand the influence of sub surface currents on BPR and surface
buoy during the deployment and to estimate the final point of landing
after the deployment, information about subsurface currents is extremely
important, which can be measured using ADCP(acoustic Doppler current
profiler) instrument.
Top 500 – 600 meters of sea surface may have currents with significant
speeds which may drift the BPR and Buoy. To perform the deployment
operations and to decide on the location of the drop point and vessel
speed and course, the sub surface currents information gives a precise
idea about the speed of vessel, course in consideration with wind profile,
and to finalize on a resultant course and speed of the vessel which helps
precisely in deploying the BPR and surface buoy at the desired location.
The ADCP instrument is configured each time before lowering the
instrument into the ocean, and after lowering the instrument for around
10 minutes the instrument is retrieved back and data is collected and
analysed to understand and find out the sub surface current pattern.
Map showing locations around BPR drop point for ADCP current
profiling.
A total of 5 different samples are collected to completely understand the
currents pattern over the area and averaged for the resultant current
pattern. Based on the ADCP results the final values of course and speed
of the vessel finalized to nullify the effects of currents and winds. The
port side CTD winch is used to lower the ADCP instrument for these
operations.
BPR Deployment:
Deployment of BPR from stern side of the ship using deep sea
winch and A-Frame at STB-05 location in Bay of Bengal
After finalizing the currents and wind speed, the vessel’s final speed and
course is decided and moved in such a way so that it nullifies the effects
due to currents and winds. The vessel is started at 1 nm away from BPR
drop point and a 1 kt speed is maintained. After reaching a distance of
300 meters from the BPR drop point, BPR floats are slowly released in
pairs into the ocean and finally at the BPR drop point the instrument is
deployed into the ocean, from the A-Frame from stern side. Deep sea
winch is used to deploy the BPR, and taglines are used support the
instrument and transferring load. A release mechanism is also used for
easy deployment of the instrument into the ocean. After releasing the BPR
the vessel is moved to 200 meters away from the drop point and start
listening to the BPR through BPR deck box, and the deployment is
monitored all along the transit. The tilt and depth is continuously
monitored and speed of deployment is continuously monitored during its
transit.
BPR Ranging:
After the BPR is deployed the BPR is ranged to identify the final position
away from the drop point. Based on the final BPR position on the sea
floor the surface buoy and Anchor drop point is decided, to keep the Buoy
in the BPR watch circle.
BPR Deck box and echoes tic transducer to monitor and range the
BPR transit into the Ocean.
For this a Benthos deck box and an echoes tic transducer are used to
range the BPR study point. The final BPR study point is measured using
triangulation method by choosing four different points to range the BPR
around the drop point and based on the distance the final settlement
point can be measured.
Buoy Deployment:
STB-05 surface buoy deployment from stern side using A-frame,
electrical winch and deep sea winch on vessel ORV Sagar Kanya.
The deployment of Surface buoy is a time intensive operation which takes
around 3 to 4 hours of time, after the BPR deployment and ranging. Once
the BPR is successfully deployed and communication is tested with
Benthos deck box for ranging the BPR, the final BPR settlement position is
determined. Then the deployment team determines the position of
Anchor drop point and course of the vessel. Then the vessel will be
navigated to a study point 6-8 km away from the Anchor drop point in a
desired course and buoy deployment operation begins. First the Buoy is
slowly released in to the ocean with A-frame, Atlas crane, deep sea winch
and few taglines to transfer load and balance the buoy from free
oscillations. After the buoy is deployed into the ocean the mooring line is
released through electrical winch and pulley. The vessel is moved with a
speed of 1-2 knots during this period and ensures medium tension on the
mooring line. After releasing all the mooring and applying a small drag
on the buoy the anchors are dropped at the specified drop point so that
the surface buoy finally settles in the BPR watch circle. If all the
operation is co ordinate and monitored carefully as per the plan there will
be proper communication between BPR and surface buoy and
communication is established between the systems.
Ground Station Confirmation:
After the BPR and Buoy is deployed successfully and the communication is
tested with BPR deck box for the data reception, the vessel has to halt for
a period of 6 to 8 hours near to the station for confirmation of data
reception. STB in normal mode communicates to the ground station
every 6 hours through iridium satellite at UTC, 00:15 hrs, 06:15 hrs,
12:15 hrs, 18:15 hrs. After the successful deployment the onboard
scientists have to confirm with ground station at tsunami warning centre
for confirmation of the data reception with an observation of 6 hourly
data. This confirms the proper deployment of tsunami buoy and the
vessel may release the station for the next operation.
Deployment of STB-05:
Deployment of STB-05 executed on 13-05-2016 at 05:45 IST. The vessel
ORV Sagar Kanya reached station at around midnight on 12 May 2016.
The operation started with multi beam depth survey at 05:45 IST in the
morning and continued for 2 hours till 07:30 IST. After the multi beam
depth survey ADCP measurements are taken at 5 different locations for
sub surface currents measurement. Once the ADCP data is measured and
analysed the net current influence is calculated by the deployment team.
After considering the prevailing wind speed and currents the final course
of the ship is determined to start the deployment operation. The
deployment operation started with the deployment of Bottom Pressure
Recorder (BPR). The BPR deployment operation starts with slowly
releasing the floats into the ocean at 300 meters away from drop point in
the specified course and finally BPR is dropped at the specified location at
13° 29.942'N, 88° 59.968'E at around 13:45 IST. For this operation,
deep sea winch, Atlas crane, A-Frame and a release mechanism is used.
The load transfer is done using taglines controlled with multiple eye bolts
and onboard hooks. After the deployment of BPR the BPR is ranged using
Benthos deck box and the final position of the BPR is ranged as 13°
29.983'N, 88° 59.864'E. After determining the BPR final point the vessel
is moved to 6 km away from the Anchor drop point. The operation of the
Buoy deployment started with slowly releasing the surface buoy at the
specified location maintaining a course of 135 degrees, and slowly
releasing the mooring line at a speed of 1-2 knots. For this operation
deep sea winch, A frame, electrical winch and Atlas crane are used. The
mooring is slowly released with the help of electrical winch and finally the
dead weights (anchors) are released at the specified anchor drop point
13° 29.857'N, 89° 0.243'E. This buoy deployment operation took around
2:45 hrs. After the anchor is released vessel is moved to 2 nm away from
anchor drop point and halted at the station and wait for the confirmation
of the data reception from ground station. The vessel released the station
at mid night 12:30 after the confirmation from ground station about the
data reception.
Here is the table of deployment information of STB-05:
Vessel ORV-SAGAR KANYA
Area of Deployment BAY OF BENGAL
Cruise No SK-330
Cruise Duration 09 May 2016 - 06 June 2016
Operation Deployment of STB-05
Date of Operation 13-05-2016
Depth of the Ocean 2990 m
Duration of Operation 05:40 to 20:45
BPR Drop point 13° 29.942'N, 88° 59.968'E
BPR Drop time 13:35 IST
BPR Final point 13° 29.983'N, 88° 59.864'E
Anchor drop point 13° 29.857'N, 89° 0.243'E
Anchor drop time 21:43 IST
Deployment of STB-04:
Deployment of STB-04 executed on 17-05-2016 at 06:30 IST. The vessel
ORV Sagar Kanya reached station at around midnight on 20:30 IST on 16
May 2016. The operation started with multi beam depth survey on 20:30
IST on 16 May 2016 and continued the operation for 2.5 hours till 23:00
IST. After the multi beam depth survey ADCP measurements started at
06:30 IST in the morning of 17th May 2016. These measurements are
taken at 5 different locations for sub surface currents measurement.
ADCP data is measured and analysed and net current influence is
calculated as 0.6 knots speed by the deployment team. After considering
the prevailing wind speed and currents the final course of the ship is
determined to start the deployment operation. The deployment operation
started with the deployment of Bottom Pressure Recorder (BPR). The BPR
deployment operation starts with slowly releasing the floats into the
ocean at 300 meters away from drop point in the specified course and
finally BPR is dropped at the specified location at 9° 59.913'N,88°
30.039'E at around 11:00 IST. For this operation, deep sea winch, Atlas
crane, A-Frame and a release mechanism is used. The load transfer is
done using taglines controlled with multiple eye bolts and onboard hooks.
After the deployment of BPR the BPR is ranged using Benthos deck box
and the final position of the BPR is ranged as 9° 59.942'N, 88° 30.002'E.
After determining the BPR final point the vessel is moved to 8 km away
from the Anchor drop point. The operation of the Buoy deployment
started at 17:15 IST with slowly releasing the surface buoy at the
specified location maintaining a course of 180 degrees, and slowly
releasing the mooring line at a speed of 1-2 knots. For this operation
deep sea winch, A frame, electrical winch and Atlas crane are used. The
mooring is slowly released with the help of electrical winch and finally the
dead weights (anchors) are released at the specified anchor drop point 9°
59.609'N, 88° 29.828'E, at around 20:15 IST. This buoy deployment
operation took around 2:52 hrs. After the anchor is released vessel is
moved to 2 nm away from anchor drop point and halted at the station
and wait for the confirmation of the data reception from ground station.
The vessel released the station at mid night 22:30 IST after the
confirmation from SAIC ground station about the data reception.
Here is the table of deployment information of STB-05:
Vessel ORV-SAGAR KANYA
Area of Deployment BAY OF BENGAL
Cruise No SK-330
Cruise Duration 09 May 2016 - 06 June 2016
Operation Deployment of STB-04
Date of Operation 17-05-2016
Depth of the Ocean 3350 m
Duration of Operation 06:45 to 20:15
BPR Drop point 9° 59.913'N,88° 30.039'E
BPR Drop time 11:00 IST
BPR Final point 9° 59.942'N, 88° 30.002'E
Anchor drop point 9° 59.609'N, 88° 29.828'E
Anchor drop time 20:15 IST
Deployment of STB-01:
Deployment of STB-01 executed on 20-05-2016 at 05:30 IST. The vessel
ORV Sagar Kanya reached station at around 23:00 IST midnight on 19
May 2016. The operation started with multi beam depth survey at 05:30
IST in the morning of 20 May 2016 and continued for 1 hours till 06:30
IST. After the multi beam depth survey ADCP operation started at 06:30
IST and measurements are taken at 5 different locations for sub surface
currents measurement. This operation took around 2.5 hours. The ADCP
data is measured and analysed the net current influence is calculated by
the deployment team. After considering the prevailing wind speed at 20-
25 knots and swells 3.0-4.5 meters and currents the final course of the
ship is determined to start the deployment operation. The deployment
operation started at 11:30 IST with the deployment of Bottom Pressure
Recorder (BPR) this operation took around 1.5 hours. The BPR
deployment operation starts with slowly releasing the floats into the
ocean at 300 meters away from drop point in the specified course and
finally BPR is dropped at the specified location at 6° 14.962'N, 88°
41.811'E at around 11:47 IST. For this operation, deep sea winch, Atlas
crane, A-Frame and a release mechanism is used. The load transfer is
done using taglines controlled with multiple eye bolts and onboard hooks.
After the deployment of BPR the BPR is ranged using Benthos deck box
and the final position of the BPR is ranged as 6° 14.927'N, 88° 41.854'E.
After determining the BPR final point the vessel is moved to 8 km away
from the Anchor drop point. The operation of the Buoy deployment
started at 18:30 IST, with slowly releasing the surface buoy at the
specified location maintaining a course of 178 degrees. After few minutes
while the buoy is getting deployed the acoustic transducer is rubbed
against metal grid of the vessel and the vessel is halted to replace the
acoustic transducer as a precaution. The Buoy deployment operation
restarted again at 19:45 IST, and slowly releasing the mooring line at a
speed of 1-2 knots. For this operation deep sea winch, A frame, electrical
winch and Atlas crane are used. The mooring is slowly released with the
help of electrical winch and finally the dead weights (anchors) are
released at the specified anchor drop point 6° 14.946'N, 88° 41.934'E., at
around 21:45 This buoy deployment operation took around 2:50 hrs.
After the anchor is released vessel is moved to 2 nm away from anchor
drop point and halted at the station for one hour. At 22:30 IST released
the station started to the STB03 location for deployment operation.
Reception of data is confirmed from ground station during midnight in the
transit.
Here is the table of deployment information of STB-05:
Vessel ORV-SAGAR KANYA
Area of Deployment BAY OF BENGAL
Cruise No SK-330
Cruise Duration 09 May 2016 - 06 June 2016
Operation Deployment of STB-01
Date of Operation 20-05-2016
Depth of the Ocean 3800 m
Duration of Operation 05:30 IST- 22:00 IST
BPR Drop point 6° 14.962'N, 88° 41.811'E
BPR Drop time 11:47 IST
BPR Final point 6° 14.927'N, 88° 41.854'E
Anchor drop point 6° 14.946'N, 88° 41.934'E
Anchor drop time 21:59 IST
Deployment of STB-03:
Deployment of STB-03 executed on 23-05-2016 at 06:30 IST. The vessel
ORV Sagar Kanya reached station at around night at 20:15 IST on 22 May
2016. The operation started with multi beam depth survey on 22-05-
2016 20:30 IST in the night and continued for 2 hours till 22:30 IST.
After the multi beam depth survey, results are analysed and confirmed
the location as suitable for deployment operation. ADCP measurements
are taken at 5 different locations for sub surface currents measurement,
during morning at 06:30 IST on 23-05-2016. ADCP operation took
around 2.5 hours and data is measured and analysed the net current
influence is calculated as 0.6 knots which is insignificant by the
deployment team. After considering the prevailing wind speed and
currents the final course of the ship is determined to start the deployment
operation. The deployment operation started with the deployment of
Bottom Pressure Recorder (BPR). The BPR deployment operation started
at 10:30 IST with slowly releasing the floats into the ocean at 300 meters
away from drop point in the specified course and finally BPR is dropped at
the specified location at 3° 47.922'N, 91° 42.066'E at around 11:15 IST.
For this operation, deep sea winch, Atlas crane, A-Frame and a release
mechanism are used. The load transfer is done using taglines controlled
with multiple eye bolts and onboard hooks. For this operation a team of 6
deployment engineers and assistants worked in addition to onboard
operators. After the deployment of BPR the BPR is ranged using Benthos
deck box and the final position of the BPR is ranged as 3° 47.886'N, 91°
42.063'E. After determining the BPR final point the vessel is moved to 8
km away from the Anchor drop point. The operation of the Buoy
deployment started with slowly releasing the surface buoy at the specified
location maintaining a course of 179 degrees, and slowly releasing the
mooring line at a speed of 1-2 knots. For this operation deep sea winch,
A frame, electrical winch and Atlas crane are used. The mooring is slowly
released with the help of electrical winch and finally the dead weights
(anchors) are released at the specified anchor drop point 3° 47.892'N,
91° 42.227'E. This buoy deployment operation took around 2:50 hrs.
After the anchor is released vessel is moved to 2 nm away from anchor
drop point and halted at the station and wait for the confirmation of the
data reception from ground station. The vessel released the station at mid
night 23:45 IST after the confirmation from ground station about the data
reception. The vessel headed back to STB01 location for the final
recovery operation.
Here is the table of deployment information of STB-03:
Vessel ORV-SAGAR KANYA
Area of Deployment BAY OF BENGAL
Cruise No SK-330
Cruise Duration 09 May 2016 - 06 June 2016
Operation Deployment of STB-03
Date of Operation 23-05-2016
Depth of the Ocean 4004 m
Duration of Operation 06:30 to 17:45
BPR Drop point 3° 47.922'N, 91° 42.066'E
BPR Drop time 11:15 IST
BPR Final point 3° 47.886'N, 91° 42.063'E
Anchor drop point 3° 47.892'N, 91° 42.227'E.
Anchor drop time 17:45 IST
Development of Cyclone Roanu and associated extreme weather
condition:
A low pressure weather system has formed in off south east coast of Sri
Lanka on 13 May 2016. According to Indian Meteorological Department
the low pressure system is very likely to form over south west Bay of
Bengal off Sri Lanka coast in next 24 hours and it would further develop
as deep depression in next 48 hours with low/medium clouds over Bay of
Bengal and South Andaman Sea. This information was received by
onboard scientific team and started monitoring the system very closely
with timely information from INCOIS ground station.
This system has further intensified into deep depression on 14 May 2016,
and into cyclonic storm by 15th May 2016. The prevailing winds on 14th
May 2016, was observed as below 10 knots and on 15th May 2016 around
15 knots and vessel speed around 5.2 knots. In the evening of 15th May
2016, the vessel is more in proximity to the weather system and the
observed wind speeds are in the range of 18-20 knots. Information from
ground station and model predictions with satellite observation has clearly
shown a deep depression has formed at 8.3N, 80.0 E, concentrated off
southeast coast of Sri Lanka. The swell heights and wind speeds picked
up significantly on the night of 15th May 2016, as the vessel is more near
to the disturbance and the situation was reviewed by the ship crew and
scientific staff. An emergency meeting with scientific staff and ship crew
was conducted to review the situation and discuss the contingency plans.
A change of course has been taken considering the safety of the ship
towards Macer Creek at Andaman Islands to take shelter as the vessel
speed has been drastically dropped to 2.5 knots at an observed wind
speed of 30 knots. The on board scientific staff continuously got
information about the weather system from INCOIS ground station, and
reviewed the weather updates with ship crew for the subsequent plans of
action.
Also ECMWF model and other model forecast closely in agreement
forecasting the development of the system and its progression in the next
4-5 days along the east coast of India in the Bay of Bengal and slowly
changing its track and hitting the coast of Bangladesh by 22nd May 2016.
Finally the cyclone Roanu hit the coast of Bangladesh on 22nd May 2016.
All model predictions have suggested 15-20 knots wind speeds at STB01
and STB 04 locations which suggested relatively rough weathers during
the deployment operations.
Extreme weather conditions due to cyclone Roanu and non-
recoverability of STB-01:
The recovery of STB-1 was scheduled on 20th May 2016. Due to
the extreme weather condition the deployment of STB01 was performed
on 20th May 2016, and recovery was postponed for a relatively calm
weather window. For a safe recovery of Surface Buoy and BPR the wind
speeds must be less than 12 knots and swell heights must be less than 3
meters height. The original plan to recover the Buoy and BPR was to use
a small boat to hook the surface buoy and use A-Frame, Atlas Crane,
Electrical Winch and deep sea winch to recover the buoy from stern side.
But considering the rough seas the recovery was planned without using
small boat considering the safety of the men to board the small ship. Also
during the recovery of the BPR the white caps should be relatively less so
that the floated BPR can be spotted visually to recover. Considering the
weather and winds, and choppy seas prevailing due to the active
formation of Roanu the recovery was postponed during return as the
cyclone will hit the coast and its influence is subsides. Again on 26th May
2016 vessel reached STB 01 location for the recovery operation. ORV
Sagar Kanya reached location at 13:30 IST and started manoeuvring the
ship from starboard side using propulsion motors to approach the buoy.
The requirement of the vessel is to reach the buoy at 1 meter distance
from start board side so that the buoy can be hooked from the vessel
itself. The prevailing swell height is around 2.5-4 meters and winds
around 20 knots which rules out any possibility of using a small boat to
hook the buoy. Vessel could able to reach to the nearest distance of 35
meters from starboard side after making 4 attempts to reach near to the
Buoy. As the day light passes the operation schedules for 27 May 2016.
The operation again resumed at 6:30 IST on 27th May 2016. Vessel
started manoeuvring to approach the buoy using propulsion motors in
north-south course. By 12:30 IST the ship made 4 attempts to reach
near to the buoy with a speed of 1.0 knots, but could able to reach a
minimum distance of 25 meters from star board side, beyond this
distance the steering of the ship is out of control. The onboard scientific
team reviewed all the other alternative options for recovery and realized
the weather condition with wind speeds ranging 18-20 knots and swell
heights around 3.5-4.0 knots which rules out the possibility of lowering
the small boat. The vessel continued on approaching the Buoy using
propulsion motors for the remaining part of the day. The DP of the vessel
cannot be operable with the prevailing sea conditions so the only
alternative left behind was to approach through propulsion motors or wait
for a clear weather window where DP can be operated. All the weather
reports and wave forecasts only signifies a very small weather window
before 29th May 2016, and after that the weather will be more rough due
to onset of south-west monsoon. So on 28th May2016 06:30 IST the
retrieval operation again resumed and observed swells with 3.5 meters
with winds around 18 knots. As there was no calm window either to
lower the small boat into the ocean or operate DP to reach the Buoy. The
situation was reviewed and communicated with INCOIS and SAIC and
made contingency plans to recover the Buoy in the next 12 months before
the scheduled maintenance operation. The operation for recovery was
revoked during the present mission and postponed for the subsequent
cruise.
Summarized details of SAIC Tsunami Buoy deployment in Bay of
Bengal during cruise on board (ORV-Sagar Kanya SK-330):
Vessel ORV-SAGAR KANYA
Area of Deployment BAY OF BENGAL
Cruise No SK-330
Cruise Duration 09 May 2016 - 06 June 2016
Operations SAIC Tsunami Buoy Deployment
S.No Buoy Id
Date of Deployment
Location Depth of Ocean (m) Latitude Longitude
1 STB 05 13-05-2016 13° 30.00' N 89° 00.00' E 2990
2 STB 04 17-05-2016 10° 00.00’ N 88° 30.00’ E 3400
3 STB 01 20-05-2016 06° 15.00’ N 88° 42.00’ E 3850
4 STB 03 23-05-2016 03° 48.00' N 91° 42.00' E 4055
Students Activities and Onboard Training Programme:
A group of students from Goa University and Dhempe College of Goa, also
joined the cruise for sea experience and internship/acclimatization. The
students have been engaged in various activities including visit to ship
facilities, various labs, engine room, visit to bridge and navigation room,
communication room etc., and various expert talks, and student
presentation on various topics of relevance. Also the students are
engaged and explained about the Tsunami buoy deployment and retrieval
operation, CTD operations, and sea surface salinity analysis at various
positions on the route of the vessel.
CTD Operation:
CTD operations are a vital part to understand the dynamics of the ocean
and it gives the information about the thermo cline and other chemical
and biological properties of the ocean. The CTD operation has been
conducted at STB05 and STB03 locations to a depth of 600 meters to
understand the properties of the ocean. Onboard students have
participated in this exercise and results are analysed and noticed the
thermo cline has been observed in the analysed results.
Sea surface salinity analysis:
Sea surface samples have been collected and analysed for salinity
information of the sea surface samples, temperature measurements and
preserved for further analysis at university. Four samples every day at
every 3 hours a day are collected on route of the ship and preserved in
sampling bottles which were taken back to university for analysis and
study, of sea surface salinity and temperature.
Biological study on Ocean Insects:
To identify and capture ocean insects and to do the biological study of the
ocean insects and their migration properties two insect capture nets have
been inserted at the front side of the vessel at the 2nd deck, and regular
observation of the captured insects have been monitored during the entire
duration of the cruise.
Visit to various labs and facilities:
All students have been accompanied to various labs and facilities onboard
ORV Sagar Kanya. The student’s lab visits and facilities of the ship have
been scheduled on various days and the respective in charge of the
lab/facilities have given detailed explanation of the facilities labs with
demonstration. Visit to the engine room, bridge, and scientific labs and
equipment of the ship has been scheduled and made available for their
learning. Students also actively participated and their questions have
been clarified with the respective staff members.
Onboard Expert and Students presentation:
Onboard students have been given assignments to present on various
topics of their academia, research and professional interest. Many of the
students have participated and given presentation on various topics of
their academic and research interest. Also onboard experts from INCOIS,
NIOT, Norinco, and ship crew have presented on various aspects during
the entire cruise expect on operational days. All presentations have been
followed by a discussion and Q&A.
Buoy operations deck walkthrough:
A brief explanation of the objectives and mission of the cruise has been
briefed to the students. The operations of the tsunami buoy and its
functionality various equipment and accessories, overall deployment
procedure have been explained to the students with a presentation. The
students have actively participated in the presentation and followed by
Q&A and discussion. After the explanation, the students have been
accompanied to the main deck and all the parts of the tsunami buoy and
its functioning has been detailed, which includes BPR and its functioning,
various parts of BPR, sensor, acoustic release, Surface buoy and its
functionality, various parts of buoy, navigational lanterns, radar
reflectors, buoy electronics, acoustic transducers, communication between
buoy and BPR and satellite communication between buoy and ground
station over iridium satellite.
Dairy of Events:
08-May-2016
@ 09:00 IST reached port and started loading the equipment to the
vessel. All the 11 trucks material has been started loading into vessel
according to the planned layout.
@ 14:30 IST finished the loading of equipment into the vessel, and
started lashing of the equipment.
@ 15:30 IST Had a brief meeting with the captain of the ship about the
various operational aspects and vessel capabilities.
@ 17:30 IST back to NIOT and follow up with NCAOR and NIOT on Sign
on procedures and schedules.
09-May-2016
@ 10:30 IST Loading of winch, winch tools and accessories, ADCP
accessories into the small truck. coordinating with the agent for customs
clearance for the winch.
@ 12:30 IST sign on process, initiated and finished in 2.5 hours.
@ 14:30 IST sign on finished, and reached to the berth and signed on.
@ 17:00 IST Installation of Electrical Winch and Welding the winch to the
main deck on the vessel. Electrical winch is tested with a trial run.
10-May-2016
@ 09:00 IST Layout planning, lashing material, and basic deck work for
the deployment operations performed. Onboard operational equipment
made ready.
@ 14:00 IST Made the execution plan and presentation for briefing the
onboard crew and bridge about the complete operations.
@ 16:00 Meeting with Norinco about the operational technicalities of CTD
Winch, Deep sea winch, and Multi beam eco sounder, also the operational
methodology of Teledyne ADCP.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
Internship/Training of Students:
@ 10:00 IST Meeting with Master and planned schedule for all the
onboarding students for various lab visits, visits to various ship facilities
etc.,
@ 10:30 Visit to Bridge, Life at Sea, Maritime communication, and various
experiences of the ship crew has been shared to the students. All the
bridge operations and equipment has been briefed to them.
@ 16:00 Given a talk on Functioning of Tsunami Buoys: About how the
tsunami buoy, BPR and Tsunami warning center works, and importance of
real time sea level information for tsunami warning
@ 17:00 Indian Tsunami Early Warning Center, Earthquake mechanism,
and how Tsunami Buoys are helping for the early detection of tsunamis.
Tsunami buoy functionality has also been covered and an extended Q&A
and interaction with all students.
11-May-2016
@ 10:30 IST checking with the bridge for satellite phone communication
with SAIC, for communication during operations.
@ 10:00 Meeting with Norinco about the operations of CTD winch, Multi
beam eco sounder, and ADCP operations.
@ 10:30 IST, Visit to Engine room to students and how various machinery
operates in the ship.
@ 10:30 IST, Deck preparation, Installation of accoustic releases,
assembling payload electronics, laying out deployment and support
linings.
@ 16:30 IST, Safety Drill and safety briefing.
@ 17:30 IST, Presentation on Indian Tsunami early warning system, its
genesis, and its present operations and services to students, and Q&A.
@ 21:30 IST, final briefing about the STB-05 Deployment operations
internally and brain storming various aspects and possibilities, Budgeting
the operational time.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
12-May-2016
@ 10:30 IST Final briefing of operation to all the vessel crew and also
deck visit.
@ 14:30 IST Final deployment preparations and assembling.
@ 20:00 IST site survey points shared with the Norico team for multi
beam survey.
@ 10:30 IST Various Labs visit to all students, and various laboratory
instruments.
@ Sea surface sample collection for sea surface salinity analysis.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
13-May-2016
@ 05:45 IST Multibeam depth survey to find out the sea surface bottom,
after the survey and analysing the result the surface is less than 0.6
degree which is in acceptable limits(<5 degree), so continued to do the
ADCP profiling.
@ 08:30 IST started the ADCP profiling at 5 different locations for
sampling the data and identify the sub surface current speed and
direction. After the data collection and analysis we identified a 0.6 kt
speeds of sub surface currents, which has much less influence and finally
decided to consider the wind speed at 6-10kt has more influence on the
vessel, at 135 degrees.
@ 13:00 IST Started in the way point at a distance of 400 meters away
from the BPR drop point and maintained a course towards the drop point.
Lowered the glass floats at a vessel speed of 1kt, and with 2 kt speed and
dropped the BPR at the specified BPR drop location lat 13°29.942'N, lon
88° 59.968'E.
@ 14:30 IST moved the vessel to 200 meters away from the BPR drop
point and started listening to the BPR through deck box, BPR started
communicating with the deck box and throughout its transit at a speed of
100 ms per minute it hit the ground in 45 minuts at a depth of 2938
meters, and setteled.
@ 17:30 IST Started to the way point at distance of 6 km so that to
maintain a course of 135 degrees, and heading back to the Anchor drop
point of lat 13° 29.857'N, and long 89° 0.243'E; and finally dropped the
anchor at 20:40 IST.
@ 20:45 We have moved to 2 nm away from the Anchor drop point and
keep the vessel drifting so that we can get confirmation from the ground
that the data reception is intact.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
14-May-2016
@ 05:30 IST We have received the orders from the ground about the data
reception and can release the station. started to head STB-04 location.
@ 09:30 IST deployment preparations for STB-04 Buoy. Placed the Buoy
and BPR assembly to the respective deployment locations using NOV
crane and Atlas crane.
@ 11:30 IST started precautionary measures based on the information
about development of low pressure weather system off Sri Lanka which
may further intensify into depression. Started continuously monitoring the
weather system, and also lashing all Buoy, BPR, mooring with additional
supports as an extra precaution.
@ 20:00 IST Individual presentation by Tanvi D'souza on Cuttlefish and
its behaviour followed by Q&A.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
15-May-2016
@ 9:30 IST Information on latest weather update received and based on
that we have made our contigency plans, the vessel speed is around 5 kt
and wind speed is around 10 kt, wave heights are around 0.5 - 1 meter.
@ 11:30 IST, weather observation is going on, the wind picked up to 15
kt, with wave heights reaching 1 meters, ETA is 16 May 2016 02:30 IST,
and vessel speed is around 5.2 knots
@ 14:30 IST, weather observation is going on, the sea become a bit
rough and the wind speed is around 18-20 kt, and wave heights are
around 1.2 - 1.5 meters. Sea roughness is getting increased. Vessel
speed is maintained at 4.5 - 5.0 knots
@ 15:00 IST, Training to all seamen on holding the Taglines, for higher
safety and load transfer during deployments by SAIC team.
@ 16:30 IST, weather observation is going on, received updated
information from IMD about the situation, and the wave heights reached
around 2 meters, and wind speeds touching 24 knots. Vessel speed is
around 3.5 - 4 knots.
@ 20:00 IST Individual presentation on Marin communications by
onboard student Adarsh followed by Q&A.
@ 20:30 Meeting at the Bridge about the contigency plans, and contacted
to the ground stations of INCOIS, and SAIC to get updated information
about the low pressure system, and its chances of moving towards the
eastern side and intensification. The weather observation is going on with
wind speeds touching 30 knots, and vessel speed at maximum going at
2.5 knots. Based on the inputs from ship crew, and limited weather
information at hand and after contacting ground stations at SAIC and
INCOIS, made a decision to go towards the nearest point of Andaman
Islands, MACER CREEK, considering the safety of the vessel. Noticed the
Wind speeds touching 30 knots and decided to change the course.
@ 21:30 IST vessel course has been changed to eastern side heading
MACER CREEK, which keeps the vessel away further 25 to 30 nm, away
from the disturbance.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
16-May-2016:
@ 0930 IST we decided to take the STB 04 track from the existing
position 25 nm away from our initial path. Considering the latest weather
forecast and direct observation during day we have taken STB 04 path
from the existing position. weather observations is going on with wind at
15-20 knots and swell around 1-1.5 meters
@ 10:30 IST contacted the INCOIS ground station and SAIC and got
weather inputs about the slowly developing low pressure weather system.
Most of the day spent time on analysing weather reports and direct
observation of the weather. Weather observations is going on with wind
at 18-24 knots and swell around 2-2.5 meters.
@ 14:30 IST contacted few INCOIS officials go get waveheight and swell
information along the ship route. Based on the analysis and conclusion
we have decided the weather condition would be below the threashold
limits to conduct deployment operations at the location. weather
observations is going on with wind at 18-24 knots and swell around 2-2.5
meters
@ 15:00 IST Had meetings with SAIC team and ship crew, seamen about
the operational plans and risk management, of the STB-04 operations.
weather observations is going on with wind at 18-24 knots and swell
around 2-2.5 meters
@ 17:00 IST made arrangements for additional tag lines to support the
deployment operations to face rough sea situation during operations.
Weather observations is going on with wind at 18-25 knots and swell
around 2.5-3.0 meters. ETA to the Location is 20:30 IST.
@20:30 IST started multi beam depth survey to the pre defined points for
about 2.5 hours and the average depth came around 3400 meters with a
slope of 0.6 degrees (<5 degrees threshold). Weather observations is
going on with wind at 15-20 knots and swell around 2.5-3.0 meters. Wind
speed is below the threshold but swell height is exactly at the threashold.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
17-May-2016
@ 06:30 IST started the ADCP survey for sub surface current speed and
direction and after performing the ADCP measurements for about 4 hours
at 5 different points and assimilating and analysing the data finally
noticed that the currents are 0.6 knots speed and winds have more
influence than currents. The bearing of the winds are at 176-180
degrees, with wind speed between 15-20 knots.
@ 12:30 IST started the BPR started the BPR operations. Given the BPR
drop point and BPR start point to the bridge and started heading to the
BPR start point which with a bearing of 0 degrees heading the winds.
@ 14:15 IST started dropping the floats into the water from BPR start
point and dropped the BPR at BPR drop point lat 9° 59.913'N, lon 88°
30.039'E and moved the vessel to 300 meters away from the drop point
and started listening to the BPR decent in the water. The BPR settled in
about 45 minutes.
@ 15:15 IST started ranging the BPR from 5 different locations and
identified the exact location of the BPR.
@ 17:15 IST started Buoy deployment operations. Went to 8 km away
from anchor drop point in 0 deg course, and headed at 180 deg course
towards the anchor drop point. The complete operation was scheduled
for 2 hrs 52 minutes at around 2knots speed. Dropped Anchor at 20:15
IST and moved the vessel to 2 nm distance and put the vessel in DP
mode.
@ 22:30 IST got information from SAIC ground station that back channel
commands from centre to Buoy and BPR are working and can able to read
the data. Final release station info is going to be issued after observing 6
hours data.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
18-May-2016
@ 09:30 IST started preparations for the recovery of the surfacebuoy and
BPR of STB01. Layed taglines and deck work required for the STB01
deployment and recovery of the Buoy.
@ 11:30 IST Finalized the recovery plan and deployment plan, re
arrangement of materials and tools on the deck from starboard side to
port side. Movement of spare anchors etc.,
@ 15:30 IST Made preparations final testing of all the cranes and tools for
the recovery of STB01.
@ 19:00 IST started development "briefing presentations" for the ship
crew and other staff about the STB 01, deployment and recovery
operations, developed couple of options for the recovery and deployment
of the BPR, surface buoy, considering the weather conditions. weather
observations is going on with wind at 20-22 knots and swell around 3-3.5
meters.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
19-May-2016
@ 10:30 IST Buoy and BPR retrieval briefing presentation finalized. Had
an internal meeting with all the operational crew about the recovery and
deployment plans. Final Q&A and ready for presentation for the ship
crew.
@ 15:30 IST Recovery Briefing to the Ship crew about the recovery option
of STB01 Buoy and BPR and Deployment of Buoy and BPR. Addressed all
the concerns, raised the issue of not using DP if the windforce is more
than 12 knots. Acceptance of taking the ship next to the Buoy through
Propolusion Motors.
@ 23:00 IST reached STB01 station and started the Multibeam depth
survey in a 2*2 area at 25 different points, and concluded that the
surface angle is less than 5 degrees (<5 degrees) and within acceptable
limits for the deployment.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
20-May-2016
@ 05:30 IST Weather observation and review of the plans and concluded
that the weather is not suitable for the recovery of BPR and surface buoy,
so started with the Deployment plans at first, so decided to start with the
ADCP measurements.
@ 06:30 IST started with ADCP survey at 5 different points for sampling
subsurface currents, The survey took us around 2.5 to 3.0 hours and
results analysed for significant influence of currents.
@ 10:30 IST Weather observations are going on with Winds around 20-25
knots and swells around 3.0 - 4.5 meters. After the analysis of the wind
direction and current direction, final course and distance is shared with
the bridge for the vessel movement for BPR deployment.
@ 11:30 IST vessel reached the BPR wait point and started with the BPR
deployment process, and took around 1.5 hours for the BPR deployment
and deployed the BPR and the specified location, at the BPR drop point
lat 6° 14.962'N, and long 88° 41.811'E.
@ 14:30 IST started the BPR ranging from 5 different points for the BPR
positioning. The BPR is at a distance of 100 meters from the BPR drop
point. After the analysis of the BPR ranging, finally decided on the Buoy
drop point and course to take.
@ 18:30 IST Buoy deployment process has been started from 8 kms
away from the Anchor drop point at a speed of 1-2 knots. Reached the
Buoy wait point and started the Buoy deployment process. Started
lowering the buoy at the buoy drop point at around 19:00 IST. As the
Buoy acoustic transducer touched the metal grating, during deployment,
so replaced the acoustic transducer with a spare acoustic transducer.
@ 19:45 IST Buoy deployment re started again from the Buoy steady
point and with a speed of 1-2 knots, started the Buoy deployment, at the
specified location, dropped the Buoy. After Buoy deployment and
mooring line is out and deployed the Anchors, at the specified Anchor
drop point, which is lat 6° 14.946'N, Lon 88° 41.934'E.
@ 21:45 IST The Buoy Deployment process finished and Vessel moved to
2 nm away from the Anchor drop point.
@ 22:30 IST Released station and started to the STB03 Location for the
subsequent deployment of STB03 Buoy.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
21-May-2016
@ 09:30 IST Weather observation going on with Winds in the range of
18-24 knots and swells ranging between 2.5-4.0 knots.
@ 11:30 IST Weather observation going on with Winds in the range of
16-22 knots and swells ranging between 2.0-3.5 knots.
@ 14:30 IST Weather observation going on with Winds in the range of
20-28 knots and swells ranging between 3.5-4.0 knots.
@ 17:30 IST Weather observation going on with Winds in the range of
16-22 knots and swells ranging between 3.0-4.5 knots.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
22-May-2016
@ 09:30 IST Started all the preparations
@ 11:30 IST Started the deck work preparation for STB03 Buoy
deployment, arranged taglines ready for the deployment of Buoy, weather
observation with wind force around 15 knots and swells around 2.0-2.5
meters.
@ 14:30 IST weather observation is going on with winds around 15-20
knots and swells around 2.5-3.0 meters range.
@ 20:30 IST reached STB03 location and started multi beam depth
survey in a 2*2 sq kms area. After the survey the results show the sea
surface gradient is in acceptable limits (<5 degrees).
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
23-May-2016
@ 06:30 IST Started ADCP depth survey at 5 different points to
determine the subsurface currents and analysed the data. The current
speeds are around 0.6 knots which is insignificant as compared to the
wind speed influence.
@ 09:30 IST Finished the ADCP survey and finalized on the course and
distance of the steady point and drop point of BPR and shared with the
bridge, started for the Steady point for BPR deployment.
@ 10:30 IST started the BPR deployment process. Started dropping glass
floats from 300 meters away from the BPR drop point with a vessel speed
of 1 knots and Dropped the BPR at the specified BPR drop point lat 3°
47.922'N and Lon 91° 42.066'E.
@ 11:30 IST started listening to the BPR in the deployment mode, with
BPR making a title of x=0, y=2 and with a speed of 1.33 m/s. The transit
took around 45 minutes and final depth was around 4004 meters.
@ 12:30 IST started the BPR ranging at 5 different locations for
identifying the final position of the BPR. The BPR was dropped at 100
meters away from the BPR drop point.
@ 14:00 IST started the Buoy deployment, with a final course and
distance is determined after ranging the BPR and positions are shared
with the bridge for the study and drop points of Buoy and Anchors,
started to the study waypoint which is around 8 kms from the Anchor
drop point.
@ 14:30 IST started the Buoy deployment process and dropped the Buoy
at the specified Location, and started releasing the mooring.
@ 17:45 IST dropped the Anchors at the Anchor drop point at lat 3°
47.892'N, lon 91° 42.227'E and moved the vessel 2 nm away from the
anchor drop point and waited at the station.
@ 23:45 IST got information from ground station after observation of 6
hourly data, that data is intact and can release the station, and started to
the STB01 location for the retrieval mission.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
24-May-2016
@ 09:30 IST started to STB01 location for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 27 knots and swells
around 2.5-3.5 meters
@ 11:30 IST ETA to STB01 2d 6 hours location for the recovery mission
and weather observation going on with winds around 22 knots and swells
around 2.0-3.0 meters
@ 14:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 2d 2 hours for the recovery mission
and weather observation going on with winds around 24 knots and swells
around 2.5-3.5 meters
@ 17:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 1d 22 hours for the recovery mission
and weather observation going on with winds around 17 knots and swells
around 2.0-3.0 meters.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
25-May-2016
@ 09:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 34 hours for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 18 knots and swells
around 1.5-2.0 meters
@ 11:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 36 hours for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 23 knots and swells
around 2.0-3.0 meters
@ 15:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 32 hours for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 15 knots and swells
around 2.0-3.5 meters
@ 18:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 32 hours for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 23 knots and swells
around 2.0-2.5 meters
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
26-May-2016
@ 09:00 IST ETA to STB01 location 5 hours for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 24 knots and swells
around 2.5-3.0 meters
@ 11:30 IST ETA to STB01 location 2 hours for the recovery mission and
weather observation going on with winds around 20 knots and swells
around 2.5-3.5 meters
@ 13:30 IST reached the STB01 location and started approaching the
buoy and manoeuvring the ship from starboard side using Propulsion
Motors.
@ 18:00 IST Tried 4 different times and finished the trials to approach the
Buoy and finally end up with a minimum distance of 35 meters from
starboard side.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
27-May-2016
@ 07:00 IST started to manoeuvre the ship and approach the buoy from
North-South course and started approaching the Buoy through propulsion
motors.
@ 12:20 IST tried almost 4 times to approach the Buoy as the weather
conditions are rough the ship steering is out of control to maintain a
speed of 1.0 knots and could able to reach a minimum distance of 25
meters from start board side.
@ 14:40 IST Analysed all the alternative options to recover the Buoy and
BPR, realized the swells height around 4.0 meters which rules out the
possibility of lower small boat for recovery of BPR or surface buoy. So the
only alternative is approach the buoy through PM motors and skillful
manoeuvring of the vessel. @ 15:00 IST continuous weather observation
and monitoring and review of weather reports for a clear weatheer
window, for doing the recovery operations. All weather reports suggest a
window which may be possible till Saturday 28th May 2016 then the
winds and swells may pick up further.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
28-May-2016
@ 06:30 IST waited for a clear weather window for BPR and Buoy
Recovery and the swells are at high 3.5 meters and winds around 18
knots, so continued to wait for the clear weather window. For the
operations the most suitable weather is winds <12 knots and swells <2.0
with minimal white caps in the ocean.
@ 14:30 IST Contacted ground station about the situation and the
possibility of recovering the Buoy and BPR. Afternoon we have re
reviewed all the weather forecasts and wind forecasts and realized the
least possibility of a calm weather window.
@ 18:30 IST came up with alternative plans to recover the Buoy before
the regular maintenance schedule and contacted/emailed SAIC for
alternative plans.
@ 20:30 IST decided on a tentative plan for the recovery in the next 12
months and decided to leave the station considering the weather, food
and fuel availability of the Vessel.
@ 21:30 IST leave the station for disembarkation at Tuticorin which is 9
days of transit time.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
29-May-2016
@ All the day weather observation is going on with Winds in the range of
18-28 knots and swells in the range of 3.0-3.5 meters. Started preparing
offloading material list.
@ All the left over mooring is arranged in a single wooden crate box. All
the tools and boxes are arranged and made ready to arrange to ship back
to NIOT.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
30-May-2016
@ Communicated about the ETA with the Office, Return logistics for
sending the material back to NIOT is discussed; also shipping of acoustic
transducer to SAIC has been discussed. Weather observations with wind
speed around 27 knots and swells around 4.5 meters. The vessel speed is
around 2.8 knotsduring high swell periods.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
31-May-2016
@ Return documentation and cruise report draft preparation has been
started. ETA to Tuticorin is 6 June 2016; made all the trucks loading plan
back to Chennai from Tuticorin.
@ 20:00 IST Training programmes and on board student/expert talks on
Topic TRC (Tropical recursive cyclones and how to mitigate and escape
from cyclone and navigational techniques) is discussed and presented.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
01-June-2016
@ 10:30 IST Weather observation and experience of south westerly moon
soon winds with wind speeds ranging between 24-34 knots and swells
ranging from 2.5 - 4.5 meters. Average Vessel speed is 3.4 knots
@ 20:00 IST Training programmes and on board student/expert talks on
Topic Upwelling and down welling and its economic importance and
influence of kelvin waves in down welling phenomenon in Arabian sea has
been discussed.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
02-June-2016
@ 10:30 IST Weather observation and experience of south westerly moon
soon winds with wind speeds ranging between 20-32 knots and swells
ranging from 3.0 - 4.5 meters.
@ 20:00 IST Training programmes and on board student/expert talks on
Topic Scientific Instruments onboard ORV Sagar Kanya has been
presented by Norinco engineers and followed by Q&A from students.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
03-June-2016
@ 11:30 IST working on cruise report SK-330, and review of all the
information and individual documentations.
@ 14:30 IST coordinating with ground station about the return logistics
and booking trucks to offload the material and send back to NIOT.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
@ 17:00 IST All the cruise participants are gathered to have a conclusion
meeting and group photo graph has been taken with Scientific
participants.
04-June-2016
@ 10:30 IST working on cruise report SK-330, and review of all the
information and individual documentations. Collecting all the inputs from
all the cruise participants.
@ 15:30 IST coordinating with ground station about the return logistics
and booking trucks to offload the material and send back to NIOT.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
@ 19:00 IST Hosted SK-330 cruise success party in the vessel and efforts
of all the participants, vessel staff were duly acknowledged for the
support and help.
05-June-2016
@ 10:00 IST discussed
@ 15:30 IST coordinating with ground station about the return logistics
and booking trucks to offload the material and send back to NIOT.
@ Daily water samples collection for sea surface salinity analysis during
10:30 IST, 14:30 IST, 16:30 IST, 18:30 IST.
06-June-2016
@ 09:30 IST Reached Tuticorin port and berthed.
@ 11:30 IST discussed with Agents from Atlantic Shipping Corporation
about the arrangements need for Sign off procedures and Material
offloading.
@ 06:00 IST Sign off procedure of all the scientific participants are
finished and scientific staff are dropped at their requested destinations at
various places in the city.
- - -
Summary of Scientific works done during Cruise SK-330:
1. Deployment of STB-05,was successfully done on 13-May-2016
20:45 IST at the STB-05 location(N 13.50°; E 89.00°).
2. Deployment of STB-04, was successfully done on 17-May-2016
20:15 IST at the STB-04 location (N 10.00°; E 88.50°).
3. Deployment of STB-01, was successfully done on 20-May-2016
21:45 IST at the STB-01 location (N 06.25°; E 88.88°).
4. Deployment of STB-03, was successfully done on 23-May-2016
17:45 IST at the STB-03 location (N 03.80°; E 91.70°).
5. Sea Surface sample collection during 4 times a day along the path
during the cruise for sea surface salinity analysis for training and
research purpose of students.
6. On board students training and expert/student talks on various
topics and Tsunami Warning System, Tsunami buoy functioning,
and other scientific equipment on board. Also a visit to various
facilities onboard ORV SagarKanya
7. Conducted CTD analysis at STB-05 and STB-03 Tsunami Buoy
deployed locations to the depth of 400 m for research and training
purpose of students.
- - -