Since I have worked with Betsy exclusively on the grab she thought I might enjoy working with Page Valentine, Sarah and Keri on their project. Page is using video equipment especially designed for ocean exploration called a "SEABOSS." As the instrument is lowered to the ocean floor video images are captured and sent to seven monitors in the wet lab. There the data is recorded and still photos can be taken at the same time. I will be bringing the lab sheets used to record data home with me. Basically you record the latitude and longitude, the depth and the time. If you see anything interesting this is where you would note it, for example, a baby octopus, a red fish, etc. Each time a still photo is taken there is a log to record it separately. They record on video for twenty minutes at each site, again using the fish in and fish out sites in the bank area. They take approximately twenty-five stills at each sit. On the second run which I was recording, the drift became over five knots, at this point we had to scratch the trial and bring up the camera. We must remain on site and cannot drift too quickly. It is impossible to get clear pictures if the ship is drifting too fast over the site area. Two scientists record all the data. Both use a type of log sheet while the trial is in process and upon completion the data is recorded into the computer. A scientist (Dann) remains with the equipment on the deck feeding the video cable and directing the SEABOSS. The chief scientist speaks to the deck scientist through a headset similar to the used by football coaches. The chief scientist stays in touch with the boat captain by the use of hand held radios. He also has two Dell Latitude computers, which are used strictly for mapping. Once screen shows a topographic look at the ocean floor while the other is a nautical chart showing the movement of the ship.
Since I have worked with Betsy exclusively on the grab she thought I might enjoy working with Page Valentine, Sarah and Keri on their project. Page is using video equipment especially designed for ocean exploration called a "SEABOSS." As the instrument is lowered to the ocean floor video images are captured and sent to seven monitors in the wet lab. There the data is recorded and still photos can be taken at the same time. I will be bringing the lab sheets used to record data home with me. Basically you record the latitude and longitude, the depth and the time. If you see anything interesting this is where you would note it, for example, a baby octopus, a red fish, etc. Each time a still photo is taken there is a log to record it separately. They record on video for twenty minutes at each site, again using the fish in and fish out sites in the bank area. They take approximately twenty-five stills at each sit. On the second run which I was recording, the drift became over five knots, at this point we had to scratch the trial and bring up the camera. We must remain on site and cannot drift too quickly. It is impossible to get clear pictures if the ship is drifting too fast over the site area. Two scientists record all the data. Both use a type of log sheet while the trial is in process and upon completion the data is recorded into the computer. A scientist (Dann) remains with the equipment on the deck feeding the video cable and directing the SEABOSS. The chief scientist speaks to the deck scientist through a headset similar to the used by football coaches. The chief scientist stays in touch with the boat captain by the use of hand held radios. He also has two Dell Latitude computers, which are used strictly for mapping. Once screen shows a topographic look at the ocean floor while the other is a nautical chart showing the movement of the ship.