Our 5th node was successfully deployed this morning. It is sitting in 2323m of water at 47.57.5021 north latitude and 129.02.1263 west longitude. All four ports were tested from our shore station, and functioned properly. Three short-haul science ports were tested using a junction box strapped onto ROPOS. A fourth long-haul extension port was tested using a test bench aboard the Thompson.
This node will remain alone in its position near Endeavour Ridge until next year, when we return to deploy numerous instruments for studying everything from hot vent ecology to plate tectonics.
Glimpses of the Endeavour node deployment
Touch-down of endeavour node, 2323m below sea level, 24 August 2009
A curious crab also wishes to inspect the newly deployed node, 24 August 2009
ROPOS testing the ports and connectors on the Endeavour node, 24 August 2009.
Farewell message from the crew of the Lodbrog, 24 August 2009
Echinoderms inhabiting the seafloor in the vicinity of NEPTUNE Canada's Endeavour node.
Smiley face on the lens cap protecting the HD video camera on ROPOS, 23 August 2009.
ROPOS pilots Dan Cormany and Kim Wallace monitor ROPOS's descent at Endeavour, 23 August 2009.
ROPOS pilots Dan Cormany and Kim Wallace monitor ROPOS's descent for deployment of the Endeavour node, 23 August 20009.
Keith Shepherd directs the crane operator, as ROPOS is lowered into the water near Endeavour Ridge, 23 Aug 2009.
ROPOS is lowered into the water for the Endeavour node installation dive, 23 Aug 2009.
R/V Thomas G. Thompson departed Esquimalt Graving Dock 8:00 Saturday morning, fully loaded with instrument platforms, extension cable spools, NEPTUNE Canada staff, students, contractors, and ROPOS equipment and crew.
Once underway, all scientific crew were introduced to safety procedures, including how to properly don personal survival suits. Needless to say, this was the first time for NEPTUNE Canada staff members Murray Leslie and Dwight Owens, who have joined this deployment cruise.
Setting up
Barkley Canyon instrument pod 2, with accompanying sediment trap, is craned onto the R/V Thompson, 21 August 2009.
The University of Washington's research vessel Thomas G. Thompson in port at Esquimalt Graving Dock, 21 August 2009. Our Vertical Profiler Systems sits at the very end of the ship's fantail, beneath the A-frame crane.
NEPTUNE Canada systems administrator Jason Rush assists with set-up in the ROPOS operations area aboard the R/V Thompson, 22 July 2009.
Departure from Esquimalt
ROPOS navigator Jim Illman enjoys the morning air.
R/V Thompson passes Fisgard LIghthouse, en-route to Endeavour Ridge for deployment of the final science node, 22 August 2009.
R/V Thompson departs Esquimalt, fully loaded with ROPOS gear, science instruments and cable spools.
Survival Suits Trials
NEPTUNE Canada web content manager Dwight Owens is ready to fly in his survival suit, 22 August 2009.
NEPTUNE Canada's Murray Leslie salutes after sucessfully donning a survival suit on the R/V Thompson, 22 August 2009.
NEPTUNE Canada's Murray Leslie tries on a survival suit for size, 22 August 2009.
