In early June 2007 AOML scientists installed a thermosalinograph (TSG) and a remote temperature sensor in the engine room of the MV Explorer. The TSG (Seabird model 45) is capable of measuring temperature and conductivity of seawater that is drawn off of the vessel seawater intake supply. In addition to the TSG, a remote temperature sensor (Seabird model 38) was installed. The remote temperature sensor provides a more accurate temperature measurement of the water intake.

Arrangement of the main components of the TSG setup in the MV Explorer.

The installation required drilling in the seawater intake system of the ship, performed by the NOAA/AOML team formed by Derrick Snowden, Carrie Wolfe and Pedro Peña; and the ship engineering staff. Once the seawater source was identified, flexible piping was laid throughout the engine room to allow the seawater to be pumped from the source to the instrument and out to the disposal. The water intake is strained to eliminate some marine foulants and the flow is regulated to provide optimal flow conditions for the TSG. Seawater flows through the TSG at a rate of 0.2 - 0.5 gallons per minute.

TSG installation in the MV Explorer. From left to right and from top to bottom: Chief Electrician Charalampos Kargakos¹,
Carrie Wolfe², Pedro Peña², First Electrician Constantin Rodu¹ and Derrick Snowden².