High-density XBT cruise AX80711 report

 

Ship          :  Maersk Vilnius

 

Call sign    : 9V8503

 

Ship Rider :  Fergus Mckay

 

Dates  XBT’s deployed : July 20th to August 06th 2011

 

a)         XBTs deployed : 272

 

b)         Drifters deployed:  No drifters were deployed.

 

ID                     DEPLOYED                             POSITION

 

 

c)            Profiling floats deployed: No floats were deployed .

 

ID                     DEPLOYED                             POSITION

 

d)    Equipment tools and supplies needed: 4 Penlight batteries for the head torch and silicone spray. A spare connector box. A new battery for the UPS.

 

e)            Problems: I had very few problems with the equipment.  Tube 6 of the primary Auto launcher became unreliable toward the end of the voyage. Other than a few occasions where the wire snapped or stretched no further problems were experienced.

 

f)            Recommendations: The Maersk Vilnius is a perfect ship for deploying XBT’s so I recommend we use her as much as Maersk allows us to.

 

g)         Other narrative: The Maersk Vilnius is an ideal ship for dropping XBT's drifters and argo floats, with it maintaining a very steady speed, and the point of release close to the water, hence very few faulty drops occurred during my trip. The distance from the cabin to the launcher and antenna isn’t far, making installation a lot simpler. The officers and crew were also very hospitable making for a pleasant voyage.

 

h)         Ship contact: Captain Anooj Unnikrishnan

                                    email: 908VILNIUS@maersk.com