In early May 2017, the very first sea acceptance trial (SAT) cruise (KK1701) was conducted on the newly commissioned R/V TKK to test its shipborne scientific equipment. This 10-day cruise took place around the Taiwan Strait and the Gagua Ridge, which was also the first cruise implemented since the delivery.
On this cruise, Shipboard Technical Support (STS) team from Marine Operations (XMU) in collaboration with Honghai Marine Co., Ltd. and Rapp Marine AS performed the tests required for the launch and recovery system (LARS), including CTD winch, hydrographical winch and traction winch system, and came to the conclusion that the LARS was properly installed and was functioning well according to specifications.
Engineer from Rapp Marine AS, Mr. Snorre Thomassen participated in the dock test and sea trial of the science handling system.
Shipboard Technical Support (STS) is vital sector in Marine Operations (XMU). It’s responsible to operate and maintain all scientific mission equipment, to manage shipborne laboratories, to coordinate and assist science parties to carry out various over-the-side operations on R/V TKK, such that to ensure the acquisition of high quality scientific data and samples at sea in a safe and efficient way.
In addition, marine technicians from STS worked with engineers from LAUREL-Marine to complete the tests of various instruments that are equipped on R/V TKK to collect hydrographical data in seawater, including Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (TRDI OS38, OS150, WHMariner300), and two sets of SBE 911plus CTD with dual C-T sensors (24-position and 36-position rosette each). The SBE 911plus system will help scientists acquire real-time CTD profile data up to the depth of 10, 000 meters.
The sea trial of SBE 911plus CTD
The completion of the first sea trial indicated that R/V TKK has outstanding science handling capability for future oceanographic research and exploration. Moreover, the on-site and in-cruise training of marine technicians for the operations of R/V TKK was also accomplished during this SAT cruise.
A shark was seen during the cruise.
