Oceanographic Instrumentation

Oregon State University, Corvallis OR

Investigators

Abstract

0302556 Willis This award to Oregon State University provides instrumentation to significantly improve the oceanographic research capabilities of the institution and the research vessel Wecoma, an NSF-owned ship operated by OSU as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System research fleet. The award supports acquisition of 1) two sets of ustrasonic wind sensors and displays for R/V Wecoma, replacing existing propeller anemometers; 2) new hydraulic units for the SeaSoar undulating towed vehicle, to improve reliability, and to allow retention of the existing units as backups for these critical components; 3) two new oxygen sensors for the CTD, replacing the now-obsolete units with the new, higher precision model; 4) a backup deck modem unit for the biological sampling system, to complete the spare parts inventory for this heavily-use instrument; and 5) a digital barometer, to serve as backup and operating unit when the existing unit is being calibrated. All of these are shared-use capabilities that are available to all funded users of the R/V Wecoma, or in the case of the SeaSoar system, users of any UNOLS vessel. These improvements will be of substantial advantage to marine scientists during 2003 and future years. ***