Oceanographic Instrumentation

Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin LA

Investigators

Abstract

0611041 Rabalais This award to Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) provides support for the acquisition of a Ku-band 1-meter satellite communications system and a replacement attitude sensor (3-D position with heading, pitch and roll) for R/V Pelican, a research vessel operated by LUMCON as part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS). The satellite communication system will be utilized with the UNOLS HiSeasNet system managed by Scripps Institution of Oceanography to allow 7x24 Internet access, email and voice communications between the vessel and shore. This offers substantial advantage in planning and implementing cruise operations, with access to current satellite data, software updates and similar information required for decision-making. The vessel attitude sensor allows needed correction of vessel data to properly process velocity data from hull-mounted acoustic current meters and other instruments. These acquisitions will provide important new shared-use capability for marine scientists using R/V Pelican in their research during 2006 and future years. ***