Polar Sea - Science Support
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USCG Engineering Support Unit (ESU)
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POC: Mr. Jim Wilson Email: James dot M dot Wilson (at) USCG dot Mil Phone: (206) 217-6552
- Supported Systems: Science computer network, computer and network integration, ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship science communications (email, data transfer and voice), science data logging.
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POC: Mr. Jim Wilson Email: James dot M dot Wilson (at) USCG dot Mil Phone: (206) 217-6552
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Ship-based Science Technical Support in the Arctic - STARC
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POC: Scott Hiller Email: shiller (at) ucsd dot edu Phone: (858) 822-6624
- Supported Systems- All science equipment not supported by ESU.
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POC: Scott Hiller Email: shiller (at) ucsd dot edu Phone: (858) 822-6624
| Polar Sea Science Systems |
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Sonar equipment:
Sixteen 3.5 KH transducers and one 12 kHz transducers feed into 2 possible |
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TeraScan:
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CTD:
The Sea Bird 911 deck units have 6800 meter max. depth with altimeter and spare sensors. All sensors are calibrated before and after each cruise by Sea Bird Electronics. POLAR SEA has two General Oceanics Rosette with 24 10-liter and 12-30 liter Niskin bottles integrated with the CTD. Data from water sampling columns are transferred directly to the POLAR SEA's science data network. The system runs from the inner Wet Lab. |
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Thermosalinagraph:
In 2009, SCRIPPS was contracted to create and build POLAR SEA’s uncontaminated sea water sampling system. Such a system was installed with newly purchased/calibrated sensors from Seabird Electronics Inc. Sensors include a de-bubbler, dissolved oxygen sensor, thermosalinograph, and flow through fluorometer. The Sea-Bird Thermosalinograph is installed adjacent to the uncontaminated seawater sea chest at an approximate 8-meter depth. It has a 25 GPM output with the outlet in the inner Wet Lab. |
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Met Package:
POLAR SEA has a meteorological package that was installed in 2009. The complete package includes a suite of RM Young sensors including a barometric pressure sensor, an air temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. This system is located on the starboard forward corner of the fly bridge while the there are two ultrasonic anemometers installed on the port and starboard sides of the mast to gather more accurate wind data. Data lines run to the Met Lab and data is stored on the Science Data Network. |
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DI Water Makers:
There are 2 DI water makers installed in the inner Wet Lab, both of which are in good working condition. One is a Barnstead DI water maker while the other is a MilliQ which was recently installed in February 2010. |
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XBT:
POLAR SEA has an expendable bathythermograph (XBT) system with deck-mounted and handheld launchers. XBT data is transmitted directly to the Science Data Network (SDN). |
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Freezers/Refrigerators:
There are 2 So-Lo Ultra Low chest freezers located in the upper cargo hold. (Temperature between -45F and -85 F; 11.25 cu. Ft). In addition, there are also 2 VenCold Chest Freezers (Temperature between 0F and -17F; 19 cu Ft). For easier access, there is 1 refrigerator/freezer located in the Wet Lab. The Summit Appliance compact refrigerator is 5.5 cu. Ft while the Summit Appliance freezer has 5.0 cu. Ft. with a temperature alarm and manual defrost. NOTE: There are no walk-in freezers, refrigerators, or climate control chambers on POLAR SEA; if additional cold storage space is needed, please contact the Marine Science Officer to discuss other arrangements. |
| Winches & Cranes |
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There are a variety of winches, cranes, and frames used aboard for science operations. POLAR SEA has three main cranes: a 3 ton crane on the forward part of the centerline of the ship, and two 15-ton cranes on either side of the hangar. These cranes are used primarily to load on stores and large pieces of equipment, including all science gear and stores. In addition to these cranes, POLAR SEA also has a knuckle crane located on the fantail. This Hiab Seacrane recently had a level 2 inspection conducted at Todd Shipyards in the summer of 2010 and was weight tested to have a SWL of 4,500 lbs. The science team is also in charge of two oceanographic winches, one trawl core winch, and two J-Frames, one on the port side cast deck and the other on the fantail. Both oceanographic winches are located on the port side of the ship for use on the port side cast deck while the trawl core winch is located in aft steering and used for operations that occur on the fantail. Winch wires were tested in 2009; the 3/8 and .322 wire ropes (oceanographic winches) exceeded their minimum strength specifications pulling to 14,430 lbs. and 13,320 lbs. respectively before parting. The 9/16 trawl core winch wire broke at 37,000 lbs., within standards. All science winches were last serviced by Ron White, technician from InterOcean Inc. in February 2010. Winches are always serviced prior to getting underway for science missions. Both J –Frames received level 2 certifications in 2009 and were last static load tested in August 2009. The aft J-Frame was static load tested to 40,000 lbs. and the port side J-Frame was static load tested to 14, 800 lbs. It is important to note that the port side J-Frame would have been tested to a greater weight but the water weight being too large and dipping in the water precluded further testing. |
| Vans |
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POLAR SEA can accommodate up to seven 8’ x 20’ ISO vans with the following amenities: fresh water, LP air, oil free, and waste water discharge. In addition, power (60 Hz) can be supplied. 220 VAC, 30 amps for thirteen van ties and 440 VAC, 50 amps, for seven van ties. |
| Helicopter Support |
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POLAR SEA can support 2 Coast Guard HH65C Dolphins. Dependent upon cargo loads and passengers, the HH65 has a working range of approximately 120 miles, an average endurance of 2.5 hours, cruising airspeed of 120 knots, and normal passenger load of 2-3 people. In the past, we have accommodated civilian helicopters, specifically the Bell 206L-III model. Please let the ship know in advance if you intend to use civilian helicopters as prior permission must be obtained. |
| Dive Support |
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Diving in the polar regions has inherent risks because of environmental conditions and remoteness. However, with PRIOR arrangements and certification of the physical and technical capabilities of persons temporarily embarked on the ship, civilian diving from POLAR SEA can be considered on a case by case basis. Diving needs should be expressed as part of the cruise planning process. Please contact the Marine Science Officer if your cruise plans on conducting diving operations. |
Science Labs
Wet Lab:
The Wet Lab consists of two spaces separated by a watertight door, the inner Wet Lab and outer Wet Lab. The outer Wet Lab, also known as the CTD hangar is located on the port side O1 deck. It is 140 sq. ft with a roller curtain door that leads to the oceano deck and an overheard trolley with oceano wire. The outer Wet Lab contains a deep sink and bench, heating system, deck drains, and one inch bolt-downs. The outer Wet Lab can also accommodate packages 12’ H x 7” diameter. The inner Wet Lab is 490 sq. ft. and contains 2 DI water makers, fume hood, freezer/fridge, 2 deep sinks, Unistrut system, uncontaminated seawater system, and plenty of table and bench space. The outer Wet Lab also houses the computer station for the CTD system.
Dry Lab:
The Dry Lab is a 264 sq. ft. space located amidships on the O1 deck. This space houses an electronics rack and a workstation for an electronics support technician aboard for the science cruise. In addition, Bathy and Knudsen systems have electronic racks in the Dry Lab. Again, there are work benches/tables and sink available. Additionally, there is a monitor connected to the CCTV system utilized for observing operations on deck.
Met Lab:
The Met Lab is a work space for the Marine Science technicians aboard and located on the O3 deck just aft of the bridge. TeraScan, our satellite imagery downlink system is located in this space as well as the scientist use of the Iridium terminal. Weather briefs are held in this space daily and often includes POLAR SEA’s command staff and scientists.
Geo Lab:
The Geo Lab is located on the aft starboard side of the O1 deck and is 200 sq. ft. There are two watertight doors at the aft most part of the space that leads to the fantail. In this space, there is a fume hood, deep sink, deck tie downs on 2’ centers, and a Unistrut system. There are also a few benches and tables to work on.
Dive Locker:
The Dive Locker is a small space just forward of the Geo Lab. This space is used to accommodate divers if diving has been approved for the science cruise.
Science Library:
The Science Library is a 240 sq. ft. space with a conference table, chart table, and bench space located on the O2 deck. There are 4 computer workstations connected to the Science Data Network, one PowerMac G4 computer and one printer/scanner combination. The Science Library is well-suited for personal computers and meetings (10-12 people), etc.
Coring
POLAR SEA has the capabilities to conduct a variety of coring. Multi-cores and small sediment samplers may be deployed off the port side cast deck or fantail if need be. However, it is more advantageous to deploy from the port side cast deck with the roller curtain door leading to a heated and sheltered area.
POLAR SEA also has the ability to conduct large scale piston coring from the fantail. The most recent science cruise to conduct large scale coring operations was PSEA0901; custom built set up with a core head that weighed approximately 3,000 lbs. and utilized an approximately 40 ft long trigger weight line and a 200 lb. trigger weight, giving the piston about 10 ft freefall to the ocean floor once the trigger was released.
To accommodate this system, POLAR SEA acquired a Smith-Berger sheave to be manufactured with a SWL of 46,000 lbs. In addition, mounts in the deck had been previously installed for coring tracks. MSTs installed coring track pieces using I-beams to mount and a pulley system was developed to assist in pulling the coring system to and from the edge of the water.