WHSC Shipboard Setup
The self-contained data acquisition and processing vans provide for convenient mobile operations. All shipboard systems are networked by high-speed (Gigabit) links, which enable logging of raw sidescan-sonar, bathymetry, and seismic data directly to a terabyte RAID server within the processing van.
Van transport and deployment sequence.
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| Vans setup at MOF facility. | Vans on flatbed trucks arriving dockside. | Guiding van movement during initial lifting process. |
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| Van being lifted to re-position aboard the R/V Atlantic Surveyor. | View of fantail on large boat, with crane, winch, tow vehicles, and streamer. |
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The data acquisition van contains the acquisition computers for sidescan-sonar, bathymetric and seismic sources being deployed on the cruise, as well as the navigation equipment. (See layout below.)
The data processing van is equipped with Linux/UNIX-based computers for sidescan-sonar, bathymetric, and seismic processing, as well as several Windows-based machines, used for GIS, sidescan-sonar mosaicking, additional swath bathymetry processing and CD/DVD data archival. (See layout below.)
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| Data acquisition van | Data processing van |
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| Click to see Data acquisition van layout. | Click to see Data processing van layout. |
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Small Boat Operations
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| R/V Rafael with interferometric sonar system deployed on sidemount. |
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| R/V Rafael loaded with boomer and Knudsen Chirp sidemount |
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The R/V Rafael, shown above and to the left, is the research vessel maintained by USGS Woods Hole Science Center. The interferometric-sonar system is shown deployed from a sidemount.
For more information about the R/V Rafael, Click on the Research Vessel in the tree to the right
For more information about the interferometric sonar system, see Swath in the tree to the right.
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| Rafael: 3.5kHz chirp system on left and seismic source receiver, seismic system on right. | Bottom equipment rack on R/V Rafael, boomer power supply on left, UPS on right Chirp and echosounder transducer sidemount and generator on R/V Rafael | Chirp and echosounder transducer sidemount and generator on R/V Rafael |
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| Deck layout of gear on the R/V Corliss |
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The following two examples illustrate processing and acquisition configurations used during small boat operations. The R/V Corliss, utilized during SW Washington studies in 1998, had ample deck space to accomodate the winch, sidescan-sonar system, and SEABOSS. However, due to the limited cabin space only the acquisition equipment was placed on the vessel, with the processing equipment setup on land.
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| Deployment of sidescan-sonar towfish, with specially designed bow mount | R/V Estero with limited deck space |
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Conversely, the R/V Estero, utilized during work on the Columbia River in 2001, had limited deck space and had to be creatively mobilized. The 400 lb. sidescan-sonar towfish was towed off a specially designed bow mount with a small winch attached to the mounting frame. An A-frame was also specially designed for the stern to allow deployment and recovery of the SEABOSS system, the deck was barely large enough to accommodate the winch for this system. However, the lab was relatively spacious, so both the acquisition and the processing computers were placed on board.
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| Interior of R/V Estero, with processing computers | Specially designed A-frame for the winch and support of the SEABOSS | Interior of R/V Estero, with acquisition computers |
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