Proposal Number: 1216510 Institution: Skidaway Institute of Oceanography PI: M. Richter Co-PI: J. Sanders
This proposal requests two Shipboard Scientific Support Equipment items for the University of Delaware for use aboard the R/V HUGH R. SHARP; namely a new double-articulated side A-frame and up-grades to an existing portable deck winch. Both items will enhance safety and provide greatly improved support capabilities to a wide variety of scientific projects.
Broader Impact and Intellectual Merit: The PI addressed the Broader Impact and Intellectual Merit of the proposed equipment specifically for the R/V HUGH R. SHARP. The research projects supported have been individually peer-reviewed for scientific merit. During operations, these vessels routinely expose graduate and undergraduate students to seagoing oceanography. Specifically, College of Marine and Earth Studies participates in a large number of outreach programs including open house events (Coast Day), participation the MATE program, and educational cruises. The College also hosts the UNOLS East Coast Van Pool. The R/V HUGH R. SHARP is scheduled to support over 90 NSF-funded days in CY 2012.
program provides support to improve safety and enhance scientific productivity aboard research vessels who are members of the University National Oceanographic Laboratories System, or UNOLS academic fleet. As a UNOLS member, the University of Georgia's Skidaway Institute of Oceanography in Savannah, Georgia operates the Research Vessel Savannah, a 92-foot coastal class vessel conducting primarily federally-funded research. The majority of the R/V Savannah's research is conducted in the estuarine and continental shelf waters of the South Atlantic Bight (between Cape Hatteras, NC and Cape Canaveral FL). This two-year grant provided funds for equipment and support services to enhance safety during science operations by enabling the vessel to meet requirements as outlined in appendix A & B of the Research Vessel Safety Standards (RVSS), upgrade monitoring of overboard handling systems and provide equipment for weight testing of those systems. The items funded from this grant are outlined below. Trawl Block A new over boarding sheave (trawl block) to be used with the A-frame/trawl winch over boarding system for heavy lifting operations was funded through this grant. The size (sheave diameter) of the proposed new block, along with tension monitoring on the cable, would allow for heavier lifts under the RVSS Appendix A criteria. However, attempts to establish monitoring on the cable (winch replacement and/or monitoring at the block), were unsuccessful. It was therefore decided that going ahead with the trawl block purchase would have been premature. The residual funds from this item have been used for a synthetic tension member for weight testing, an A-frame structural analysis revision and A-frame drawings revision based on recent repairs, and the physical refurbishment of the CTD sheave now at Rolls-Royce. Monitoring Upgrades for CTD Winch Over Boarding Sheaves The grant also provided funds for firmware and software upgrades for two of the three Rolls-Royce Instrumented Metered Sheaves (IMS) on the Savannah. These sheaves provide pay-out and tension monitoring for the vessel's #1 and #2 CTD winches. The third sheave was previously upgraded in 2011. This upgrade is a modification of the existing sheave output (tension and payout) rate from 1 Hz to 3 Hz and changes this output from a proprietary format to a standard NEMA string for integration with the ship’s primary data acquisition software (NOAA SCS). These upgrades provide real time monitoring and recording at 3 Hz as outlined in the Research Vessel Safety Standards (RVSS) Appendix A and allow the operator to review wire tension history. Lay, Pitman & Associates, Inc. Engineering Study A major component of this request involved contracting the vessel's naval architect, Lay Pitman & Associates, Inc., to conduct an analysis of the Savannah's overboard handling systems, including the A-frame and J-frame, articulating crane, pot hauling davit and all associated system components including winches, sheaves and vessel support structures. This study has provided the vessel with Maximum Capability Documents (MCD's) for each system which allows the operator to establish safe operating parameters for the deployment and retrieval of science packages under various loading conditions and geometries. Required two-year safety testing procedures have also been developed for each system. Dillon Dynamometer and Quick Check Tension Meter In December of 2012 the R/V Savannah received a Dillon 25K EDX Dynamometer with wireless communicator from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as part of the UNOLS fleet group purchase. The Dynamometer is used in weight tests and to weigh science packages prior to deck loading. A year later in December 2013, the Savannah received the Dillon Quick Check Tension Meter from WHOI as part of that same group purchase. This meter has been used for calibration checks on the CTD tension monitoring system and to monitor tension during cable loading on CTD winch #2. Synthetic Tension Member for Weight Testing On 07/18/2013 300 feet of 1-inch Amsteel Plus II rope with thimbles on each end was purchased for the purpose of weight testing overboard handling systems on the ship. Revision of A-frame structural analysis and drawings update On August 22, 2014, Lay, Pitman & Associates began a structural analysis of the A-frame subsequent to repairs to cracks that were discovered on the port and starboard legs of the frame. The ship's drawings will be updated to reflect the as-built changes to the frame as a result of the repair. This analysis may also require a revision to the A-frame Maximum Capability Document (MCD). Physical Refurbishment of Instrumented Metered Sheave The Instrumented Metered Sheave (IMS) currently at Rolls-Royce undergoing firmware and software upgrades, will also be physically refurbished, including the replacement of guide arms and bushings, swivel and spacer, retainer posts, cable guide rollers, electronics case and bracket and retainer side plate.
