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