AR1-06 SVC II

Ship

Cruise Party

Departure: Mar 17, 2016

Arrival: Mar 27, 2016

Operations Area

Science Objectives

• CTD with Laser Optical Particle Counter (LOPC) (ECU)
• ADCP (ECU)
  
• Multi, Box and Kasten Coring (ECU)
• Multibeam (ECU)
• EM122/EM710 and EK80 Survey along the Onslow Fault (USGS)
  

Science Activities

We intend to use the vessel to collect additional off the NE North Carolina coast (seaward of Cape Hatteras) with three primary foci: 1) seafloor mapping near the shelf edge, 2) sediment and carbon transport and accumulation; and 2) Gulf Stream dynamics, energy resources and ecological implications.  J.P. Walsh and I will act as Chief Scientists for the cruise and provide the critical feedback on vessel operations needed.  Based on our previous experience and planned activities for this cruise, we will be able to provide a thorough review on a diversity of operations.  For background purposes, Walsh and I have served as Chief/Co-Chief Scientist on various research vessels including Pelican, Cape Hatteras, Roger Revelle, Kilo Moana, Laurence M. Gould, Wecoma, Thomas Thompson, Harry Messel (Australian), and Kaharoa (New Zealand).

Requested Information:

1. This cruise would involve seabed mapping (multibeam, chirp seismic), sediment collection (multicore/mega-core, Kasten core), water column characterization (CTD Rosette), equipment tows (Laser Optical Plankton Counter, net tow for plankton collection), equipment retrieval/deployment (switch benthic ADCP mooring currently deployed off Cape Hatteras), water column current evaluation (ADCP).

This cruise would be an interdisciplinary effort, linking physical, biological, chemical, and geological oceanographers interested in land/ocean interactions on varying spatial and temporal scales.  In particular, we are interested in the role of the Gulf Stream as a link between land-derived material and deep sea cycling and deposition and as a renewable resource with the environmental implications for harnessing such a resource.  The scientist listed are actively involved in research in the proposed study area.  The cruise would provide an opportunity to expand the region of study beyond the shelf edge and offers a unique opportunity for a “shake-down” cruise using multiple types of instrumentation, retrieving previously deployed moorings, and interacting effectively with scientist from multiple disciplines on a single cruise

EM122/EM710 and EK80 Survey
Carolyn Rupple - USGS
Sci Party Size: 3 People

We have identified three high-priority target areas where focused surveying by the R/V Armstrong would answer specific scientific questions being pursued by the Woods Hole scientific community, while also providing the opportunity to test the EM122/EM710 and EK80. While the Knudsen could be used to enhance any of these surveys, this would require slower ship speeds, which would significantly increase the amount of the transit consumed by these surveys. Particularly with respect to water column imaging, note that the USGS Woods Hole has been at the forefront in defining more than 550 seep sites on the US margin between Cape Hatteras and Georges Bank since 2013.  In addition, the USGS has worked for more than 20 years on the Cape Fear and Blake Ridge diapirs that are almost directly offshore of Charleston.  The USGS would be pleased to provide further information about transit-over sites that would provide underway tests of the geophysical imaging (seafloor and water column) of the R/V Armstrong.

Additional Info

Stations:

Supporting documentation:

Shipboard Equipment

Shipboard Communication

CTD/Water Sampling

Critical CTD Sensors

Sediment Sampling

Navigation

Navigation

• Markey DEPC-5
• 4,200 lbs. Maximum Deck Lift
• 200 meters of 0.3125 dia. wire rope
•  Measurement Technology LCI-90 line control instrumentation

Standard Oceanographic Cables

Specialized Deck Equipment

Over the Side Equipment

Special Requirements

Additional Cruise Items/Activities

Hazardous Material

Radioactive Material

Additional Information

Checklist

Checklist