Armor For RAS

RAS in Garage of the Thompson

Isolated locations require specialized instruments.  The Remote Access Sampler (RAS) exemplifies the innovative equipment required for deep sea water samples.  RAS is designed to collect 48, 500 ml, water samples.  The instrument can be programmed to take samples at different times, under the preferred conditions for the scientists.  It also has an acidic flush in its intake to prevent “biofouling” that could contaminate the lines and water containers.  RAS is powered by a 31.5 VDC alkaline battery pack and has an in air weight of 225 lbs.  It is state of the art in every respect and we are going to beat the tar out of it.

The author cutting
up on deck

I had just finished the first few lines of this story yesterday when I was summoned to assist on deck.  The engineers aboard had developed a plan to fortify RAS so it could withstand the extreme forces that it will experience on the ocean floor.  If you have ever played the game “operation” that requires hand eye coordination and dexterity, magnify the difficulty one thousand fold and you will understand how challenging it is to deploy instruments in the deep sea.  ROV pilots are presented with myriad challenges of water currents, limited visibility, holding the ROV in place, and being attached to the ROV cage by a tether that sometimes gets caught on objects on the ocean bottom.  Under optimum conditions it is extremely difficult to deploy instruments without them getting bumped or hitting the seafloor a bit too hard.

Quality Assurance
Testing of RAS

In light of the difficulty of instrument deployment, we fortified RAS with plastic grating on its sides and top.  This required a scientific instrument known as a “sawzall” to cut the grating into sections.  We were also running low on the plastic zip straps so we had to use line to attach the grating to the metal platform cage.  While most of the crew were not fond of the pink color choice, apparently it came at such a good price it couldn’t be passed up.  The resultant "battlebot" reinforcement was a conversation piece for the crew, most of whom grabbed the grating upon inspection and muttered the standard phrase of approval stating “it should work”.

As an educator I don’t always see my work each day.  There are some times when students are particularly excited about a lab or when they come up with a project that astounds me, but mostly it’s a longitudinal view of years that gives you satisfaction for your craft.  There is something deeply gratifying in having a hand in instrument preparation and deployment.  To see something on the ocean floor that you helped with gives an immediate satisfaction which is made even more rewarding when scientists begin to get their data.

by Marty Momson