High Density XBTs: AX10 Line

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WOCE XBT Line Number:	AX10
Principal Investigator:	Dr. Molly Baringer
Data Quality Control:	Qi Yao
Dates:	November 16 - 19, 2002
Ship:	CSX HAWAII
Data Availability:	Data is available in delayed mode via this web site (Raw Data ), and can also be obtained from NODC. Real-time data was transmitted via the GOES satellite and distributed via the Global Telecommunications System.
Additional Information:	139 XBTs Deployed -------------------------- 37 BAD, 4 Questionable -------------------------- At Sea Personnel: Ben Kates --------------------------

AX10 Debriefing:
There was a high failure rate of approximately 22% due to high apparent winds and possibly problematic probes manufactured in April of 2002. AX 7 experienced similar malfuctions from 4/02 boxes when wires failed to separate from canister. The resulting tail of approximately 5-10 meters causes two classes of bad casts. First, the wire from the next cast becomes tangled or grounds to the previous tail. Second, the launcher program recognizes a loaded BT when in fact there is a spent canister in tube.
High winds and seas were experienced ahead of a strong cold front and low pressure system. At 0200 GMT on 11/17 I went to the bridge to assess the weather from a different perspective. The apparent wind was 60kts and the ship was steaming through waves that were pulverized into spray that blew over the containers stacked five high and onto the bridge windows. The third mate on watch advised me not to go aft to load the auto launcher. The aft deck of the Hawaii is fairly protected and I did not feel endangered by wind or seas.
Several XBT's were fired from the bridge to test their seas XBT system and to verify profiles collected from auto launcher drops.