Sea Ice 2003 Gulf
Field report
by
Dartmouth, N.S. Toronto, Ont.
Canada, B2Y 4A2 Canada, M4S 2Y3
This report documents the field work undertaken during the 2003 ice season by Ocean Sciences personnel and co-investigators in support of several joint scientific projects in the southern Gulf of the St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait. The report provides a list of daily work undertaken and data files collected. The work was supported by Can. Coast Guard helicopter personnel stationed in Charlottetown, PEI. The following projects were supported through the collection of ice properties by helicopter-borne sensors:
- ENVISAT validation - Can. Ice Service, Dean Flett and others
- ENVISAT validation - Nat. Res. Can., Gavin Manson and others
- Bridge forces - Nat Res. Council, Bob Frederking and others
- Bridge forces - Conf. Bridge, Don McGinn and John Francis
- Bridge forces - Univ. Manitoba, Tom Brown
- Ice Reccos - Can. Ice Service, CCGUser Desk
- Ice Reccos - CCG Icebreakers stationed in Charlottetown
- Pack ice evolution - Can Ice Ser., Tom Carrieres
- TEMPSC - Fleet-Tech Inc., Andrew Kendrick
The field report list first the daily work done during the field survey, then list the data files collected and finally reports the work done as recorded separately by Scott Holladay. Most pertinent data files be provided the co-investigators through CD distributions along with this report; not all files will be provided as there are approximately 20CDs with video images alone.
Field notes from 2003
Monday, Feb.10, 2003 Clear,
-10OC
Light
winds
Very rough ice on both sides of the bridge.
OEF POL conference call in afternoon at hotel.
No flying due to snowing conditions in afternoon anyway.
Wrote OEF ice and iceberg activity report in evening.
Light
N winds
Put equipment in helicopter;
helicopter 353 being repaired.
Moved new video software to
helicopter laptop.
Answer E-mails, bought
batteries for camera etc.
Winds
at 6 from 170
But oil tanker in Harbour
that needs to be escorted out.
Winds from SE, broken ice in
the inner harbour, Terry Fox at dock.
Stn: F12-01 south off Point
Prim, large flat floe typical of “C” area on CIS field chart.
First spot 38/35/35 cm of ice with 3 to11cm of snow
EM 45cm thick; on the heavy side
Second spot 38/41/39 cm of ice and 0-2cm of snow ----EM
45cm
11:05 Flying to Tormentine
and area “B” on field chart thinner ice 410 video file#f022
Lead at 455 crossing into “B”; video#694 starting “B” on
video; EM file fem3001
Big floes and EM thickness 30cm to 130cm; snow on ice
--> old ice.
Turning (video #700) now
towards the bridge large floes south of area “E”
Video file #f015 changed to
10min interval not sure if it was automatically set that way.
11:20 at bridge back ground
SE at NB side.
- EM profile along bridge S to N along east side of bridge,
300m from bridge.
- Video flight along bridge
N to S east of bridge #3006 mid-channel, crossing bridge at #3210, shear ridge
at #3205.
- EM profile along bridge S to N along west side of bridge,
300m from bridge.
Some thin ice North of mid-channel (all fem3001).
-Video N to S along west side of bridge; stop logging after
crossing bridge.
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2003 (continued)
Profilling EM thin ice
towards Pictou direction 5-10cm, no snow on ice.
Turn the PEI area “E” on
field chart. 3635 start to Charlottetown.
File 020 Video 4015 now in “E” along PEI stopped at 4525.
Back to hanger, lunch made
flags and tested beacons (end EM fem3001).
14:05 At Hanger: Beacons 976, 26377 and 969
tested and packed.
Afternoon: Shore lead north
of PEI due to southerly wind.
All grey ice ~ 20cm thick
from sensor, large floes very little ridging.
Stn F12-02 14:40 46
58.308N
62
52.630W
Beacon 976 out/on 14:50 (EM file fem3004)
Two flags perpendicular to SE wind.
Ice 30/35 cm and 0-10cm of snow. Three or more digital
pictures.
Three lines into the wind N
to S no video data at this station.
It could not be started, I
suspect that the plug-in to laptop was not correctly put in.
-
first line across flags,
-
second line west 200m off the line,
-
third line east about 200m off the line.
EM profile from Stn F12-02
to Stn F12-03
Weather starting from South.
One background digital
picture 30/31
Stn F12-03 16:00 46
42.630N
62
32.777W
Beacon
26377 placed out, range finder could not find it.
Started beacon 969 as well, but heard 26377 respond through
100$ yellow receiver.
Put flags out more ~ in with wind, 32/49 ice thickness,
snow 0cm to 20cm in drifts.
Video started after fiddling with plugs. EM file fem 3006
- First line N to S long lead
-up into the wind.
- Video flown S to N at 60m
flags around 5435
- Second EM line N to S east
of line by about 300m.
- Video flown S to N 400ft
flags around 5619
- Third EM line N to S west of
line by about 300m.
Some profiling on way home
but stopped due to white-outs
16:30 over duns - clouding
over some snow (fem3007)
Back at hanger 16:45 total
hours flown for 12February 3.3hrs
Not sure if F3 key work as
Louis says they do
When shutting down it
appears to be busy with Explorer.
Left for hotel ~ 17:30 after
taken out fuse boxes and video Pod.
Left for home at 19:00 after
supper with Scott.
Very hard drive home blowing
snow every where (24:30).
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 Clear,
-15OC
10:00 at Aulac.
On bridge half of Strait
along PEI side with one-day old ice.
Very wide shear ridge along
PEI; mid-span in rough ice; ice compacted against NB side.
At hanger: Tested beacons:
2754, 2750, 696 and 26384.
Changed batteries in
Telonics and made flags.
15:00 looking for ice of North Cape nearly gave up and as we turned to Summerside landed at 46 54.83N and 63 43.03W.
Stn F19-01 Ice up to 80cm only rafted section but no roughness
and looks thinner.
Beacon 696 out two places drilled and EM confirms
80cm thickness.
16:00 three
lines done with EM; no video card. (fem3013 and 14)
Flying towards bridge, video started;
-
East side, PEI to NB centre span video #7100.
Total helicopter 5.8hrs;
took video pod off and stored PIC files.
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003 Clear,
-10OC
Light
NW winds
08:00 at hanger; no
helicopter in morning busy with CCG.
Fixed Probe dolly and
calibrated range finder; seems to be acting up.
Transcribed Feb bridge files
and E-mailed files (12:00)
Processed PIC files to 3015;
drove home in evening (21:30)
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2003 Clear,
-15OC
Light
NW winds
13:00 at Aulac.
On bridge saw ship west of
bridge being escorted by CCG Terry Fox.
363 at hanger 353 being
repair; pin hole in blade.
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2003 Clear,
-12OC
Light
W winds
Put equipment in 363
helicopter; helicopter 353 being repaired.
Checked Extended Lat/long on
363. (fem3021-25).
Out with PIC, three lines
before bridge.
-
Line under bridge from E to W, no ice drift winds light.
-
Line west with EM towards NB.
-
Line East of bridge to PEI, more open water.
-
West line Video to NB.
-
East line Video to PEI 11360 mid span.
After bridge lines the laser
off/on. Not sure about data quality.
Large Video files #40 –57. Plotted
data and E-mailed data.
Friday, Feb. 28, 2003 Clear,
-10OC
Light
NW winds
Stn F28-01 Placed beacon #2750 out East of North Cape.
35+ ice thickness in area very flat, beacon on thickest ice
in area.
46 38.6W and 63 18.8N at 10:15; crusty snow cover on ice.
Lines flown NW – SE (fem3028-31)
-
EM beacon line flying into the sun
-
Video flown at 200ft , flag ~ frame 15975.
-
Eastern line EM NW to SE a bit rougher on east side.
-
Video east of line at 175ft.
-
Western EM into the sun; not sure if we are on averaging mode (ice
thickness?)
-
Video west of line to N (16427).
Lead south of line running
EW it may show up as thin ice on lines.
Stn F28-02 Placed beacon #2754 out south of Eggmont 11:45.
46 21.43N and 64 10.51W.
NW winds.
Refrozen snow layer 2cm with soft snow underneath 5cm.
-
EM flown to South, not good.
-
EM east flown to North, ice thickness??
-
Video 16557 flag south 150ft.
-
Video 16743 (69m) flying north.
-
No laser it is stuck at several specific depths 4, 11 and 18ft.
Changed cable to see why laser
in pod is not working, changed Pods cable to laptop??
Saturday, March 1, 2003 Clear,
-8OC
Light
SW winds
Three lines planned by CSA
Convair flight, Probe flight NS lines to West of Maggies.
Probe ready from all evening
fix of last night.
10:05 over beach are at
start of west Convair line.
Pack ice breaking away from
beach land-fast ice.
Video file line #74,
changing to thicker ice half way point (#75)
10:25 back ground #76 still
in transission ice zone (24 miles to end of line)
All grey pack ice
(100knots); corner of line #77 10:39
21180 image file turn to
grindstone.
10:42 short line to north to
get into heavier ice then turn to Maggies 10:42.
10:46 #79; 1052 back ground 79 to 80 at image #22743
11:05 Back ground 82 to 83; 11:16 back ground 11:16 #84
12:26 Left Maggies leads of
Island #88
Lead parallel to line
several Digital pictures of rough ice (2321---)
Flying due west to meet the
line; back ground 88 to 89 3 pictures (----2345)
12:53 back ground EM#90 to
91 (2348-2350 at 50m) turn to PEI.
Snow drift parallel to
flight track (EM#91)
Large floes no ridging, only
old ridges.
13:35 EM#93 after a reboot à screen went black power
off?
Large filed of pack ice
46.91, 62.8175
13:19 video#29590 large lead
with waves EM#93à back into large floes.
13:23 gone to EM#94, towards
Charlottetown.
On-ice ENVISAT Stns. with Dan (CIS)
15:45 at beach
Looking at waves at edge of
land-fast ice 2-3cm height wavelength ~15-20 (EM#97).
Location 46 36N and 63 43W
to thin ice edge (EM#98).
#99 going up higher stopped
at 31506.
31509 at #2CIS Stn 46 51N
and 63 35W 28/32/62 ice thickness crusty
snow
Snow layer very regular cusp
upwards all lining up to NW (16:40) D pictures 2351-2355.
16:41 to #3CIS Stn, not too
distinct 31640/31708.
16:53 to #4CIS Stn over
31735 file Video#105; 46 62 and 63 62.95?
Rafted 88cm thick; 1x1m;
ridged up to 3m thick;
Snow crusty 2-3cm
wavelength.
Rafted pancake ice, to large
floes up to2km 2m+ thick at places.
Helicopter landed on 2m ice;
inshore pack ice wave damaged.
Sunday, March 2, 2003 Clear,
-3OC
Winds
10 from SW
10:35 Off with AGC for NB coast
Just video sensor on board
Convair left for same area;
10:50 along bridge.
South west wind drift no
current by tides
Open lead along NB side west
of bridge.
NB side east of bridge
packed by ice from Pictou area.
11:05 - 11:45 flying along coast line.
Several lines perpendicular
to coast on way back; Video on crossing the Strait towards the bridge area.
CIS Stn: Late afternoon with Dan/CIS to NE pack ice along PEI north shore.
No video on as we are
landing at various spots marked on SLAR plot.
Spot #1 large black floe near the white rubble field. Dark floe thick 4-50cm floe surface flat of refrozen snow/rain (2409-10). Cobble stone ice pictures 2407-2408.
Rubble 10-20cm spacing looks
like cobble stones with here and there pancake ice in it.
People and helicopter on ice
to picture 2415.
Blue are in SLAR image
appears to be increased snow (wet when it fell).
Spot #2 second dark floe(s)
with white triangle. Dark floe same as first floe, very slippery refrozen
rain/snow cover. White area on image this time rubble field. Large 2m wide
blocks 1/2m thick and frozen snow in between (2416-2418).
Spot #3 Very short wave
length, thin ice 10cm, chunks of rafter ice but covered with snow (2419-2427?).
Picture of white field north
of floe looking at corner to other white patch.
Dull areas are refrozen
leads.
Spot #4 Yellow areas on SLAR
print 2428-2433.
Broken waves floes with
frozen mush in between
Picture high up to SE
looking towards white strip.
Last spot picture leads
looking towards PEI (2433, 2435 and 2438)
Flat milky grey ice ~ 1 day
old ~10cm thick.
Monday, March 3, 2003 Raining,
+3OC
NW
winds turning to SE
Ice Recco by helicopter 363
at 09:30.
Tested white pod with
changed settings.
E-mailed a Call-up to
Sandy/Louis
Wrote CD’s and plotted
Envisat lines.
Tuesday, March 4, 2003 Clear,
-15OC
W
winds, 25knts
AGC used 363 in morning (total hrs 8.1)
Out with Probe and white pod
extended Lat/Long on both channels.
Doing west to east line at
46 45North and then dropping down to 46 35N along East to west line.
Beacon just to north of line
but range finder not well calibrated. Battery of range finder is draining
quickly?
Later found the Video
program was on manual ---> One big long file(115) that was not closed
properly when screen went blank. Need to sent it to Louis to get GPS file data
from Probe inserted.
At SE corner image frame
39020/39050.
Half way down line wave
damage area 40309 very large area.
At ¾ along the line large
thin ice area smaller pancake ice.
At SW corner 41448 image.
Turning to shore; pancake are larger inshore.
Pictures 2451 to ~2470 taken
between 15:46 and 17:54.
Fuelled up and left for line
in-out of Harbour. 17:30 pictures up to 2480.
Processed Point Prim lines
and E-mailed them to Terry Fox and CCG users.
Video long file #115 on
three CDs.
Wednesday, March 5, 2003 Raining,
+3OC
NW
winds turning to SE
Nobody flying. Writing CDs.
Trying to get a Laser into
mount into Ice Pic.
Louis picked up laser/ paid
for it and dropped it off Air cargo.
Thursday, March 6, 2003 Snowing,
-5OC
SE
winds turning to NW Morning snow stopped
by noon.
Dan Fequet (CIS) out with
363 at 13:30 to area NE of PEI.
Too much snow; all
signatures covered, also a day between SLAR and Ice Recco.
Scott installing the new
laser which came at 10:00. (fem3037)
Flew a short flight late in
afternoon but could not find beacon #2754, problem with range finder battery
again.
Friday, March 7, 2003 Clear,
-5OC
NW
winds at 15
I: Bridge area with ICE PIC and Video. (fem 3038-41)
Pack ice against NB coast
just over half the strait is filled with old pack ice.
New frazil ice growing in
open water,
-
EM line west of bridge flying E to W to NB
-
Some low video frames flying fast to E: i.e. #36790.
-
EM East of Bridge flying S to N (to PEI).
-
Video #38830 at mid-span (video#128)
-
5 (video#129) at 200ft PEI to NB;
large floes at 39041 and mid-span at 39168, shear zone NB at 39350.
-
(video#131) at 200ft to PEI; mid-span at 39599 and shear zone along PEI
at 39738.
Looking towards PEI sun is
on the eats side of bridge; bridge shadow on west side.
Drift of ice is towards the
east.
II: West line (N. Strait at Summerside, PEI)
Location at PEI side 46
18.957; 63 48.609 (light house)
Video line first at 200ft it
is easier to keep a straight line;
Shear zone along NB at video
#40265.
End line location 46 10.371;
63 47.243.
Short video line going back
at low altitude.
EM flight at 10:15
Summerside approach.
III: East Area of Bridge (~10km) across the N. Strait (starting again along PEI)
46 12.208; 63 29.842
cross-wind so video line-up of frames may be "crabbing".
Fast ice edge 40783; wind
rows of frazil ice; then at 40895 thin ice starts with some snow on the ice.
Changing to thicker ice at 41260;
stopped at 45 59.250 and 63 40.350
Large grey ice area with
large floes towards NB and bridge area from flight track.
EM collected on flight back
to PEI along same line.
IV: Beacon #2750 location north of PEI by Ingrid (phoned in) 46 33.3N
and 62 13.3W.
Found beacon at 46 32.618
and 62 10.408 by eye ball: Range finder battery needs replacing!!
-
EM over flag to NW
-
North of flag to SE
-
South of flag to NW
No video as I can not get
GPS file; not sure why as it worked the whole morning??
Left for Bedford after
dropping off Scott at airport.
Monday, March 17, 2003 Overcast,
-5OC
Strong
E winds
Arrived at hanger from
Bedford with Jason; Camera crew there.
Helicopter 363 out with
TEMPSC people, back for late afternoon flight.
Installed range finder again,
white pod no colour at the moment.
Flight to beacon in the
Strait, off point Prim (EM#43-46).
Very rough winds and could
not fly lines low enough plus light was too flat.
Located beacon #2754 with
range finder very quickly because we knew where is was.
45 57.828 and 62 56.724 at
15:15.
Landed measure ice thickness
and changed beacon to #26379 as beacon #2754 battery can be replaced and 26379
not. Ice beacon drifting against the wind due to tidal current.
Lots of on-ice work for
camera crew. But no lines winds too turbulent + flat fight.
Worked with Jason on Lasers
and Video pods.
Finally left for supper but
Red Pod laser not working and video not working.
White Pod laser is working
and video provides black-white images.
Questions: Is old fuse box
connected? One video cable can be disconnected as if not connected (White Pod).
Red video broken??. Remember we were running through new fuse box before we
left. Program right on old lap top??
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 Snowing,
-2OC
Light
NW winds
Snowing the whole morning,
TEMPSC people finally left at 11:00.
Opened the Red Pod laser
switch was not connected.
White Pod laser okay and
video black/white; this system was installed.
Red Pod laser fixed but
video not recording.
16:40 Left finally for ice
beacon #26379 in N. Strait with camera crew.
Light still marginal; but
did lines any way, but it looked flight altitude too high.
-
South of flag flying to SE
-
Video lines at .5sec; i.e. it is on manual.
-
2nd EM line
-
Video line to NW
-
EM line
Did not like to data on
operator display but flying conditions marginal.
More camera work on way back
including shear zone.
Decided not to try to go
after beacon NE of PEI, lat/long too old now.
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 Snow
flurries, -1OC
Strong
NW winds
Helicopter down with fuel
pump problem, done by early noon.
TEMPSC people out taken out
stress panels.
Walt Spring and Brian Wright
here; they want track of lifeboat data and any ice thickness around it. Also
bridge mooring data.
Walt.Spring@exxonmobil.com
and bwright@tellusplanet.net
Fixed laser by connecting
starting switch plug.
Spare laser for IcePic is in
office with video old wire harness.
Out with Jason; range finder
acting up again lousy battery pack.
Found flag/beacon by eye
ball by large refrozen lead in 1kmx1km floe.
Flag is on one corner of
floe, small lead past floe to NW (Charlottetown)
Second line east of centre
line; flag at 95700.
Three EM lines flown; third
line to west, longest start up, 95028, going up at 95909.
Video lines: 200ft N to S
95942 start to 96902.
S to N at 400ft flag at
96148; EM files up to 49 and 50.
Packed up all equipment;
video out of helicopter; but left IcePic and range finder.
Also installed Z-Drive in
Harrison office.
Processed extra files sent
to me through E-mail; up to fem55 (March 28)
Land-fast area of Egmont
broke lose (9.8x4.1kmile floe) and past bridge area Friday April4. This area
was sampled before several times. Also digital pictures (on CD) were taken
April4 be Benoit Simard of CIS.
GPS ice drift beacons
976 NW of PEI Feb 12 Quickly moved to CB and out of Gulf.
26377 N
of PEI Feb
12 Quickly moved to CB and out
of Gulf.
696 NW of PEI Feb 19 Stopped reporting
2750 NW of PEI Feb 28 Visited several times
2754 Cape Egmont Feb 28 Visited several times, replaced by 26379
CD file Picture#s Details
1Feb 12-19 2172-4 beacon
1Feb 12-19 2179 pancake ice
1Feb 12-19 2183-7 beacon
1Feb 12-19 2185 holes in ice
2Feb27-Mar01 2212 bridge
2Feb27-Mar01 2213-21 Icebreaker/Tanker
2Feb27-Mar01 2224-29 beacon
2Feb27-Mar01 2230-35 beacon
3ENVISAT-Mar01 2237-46 North Shore
3ENVISAT-Mar01 2252-69 grey ice
3ENVISAT-Mar01 2271-75 white ice
3ENVISAT-Mar01 2321-45 from Maggies
3ENVISAT-Mar01 2348-82 16:06 -17:43 with CIS
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2383-88 looking over shear zone
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2389-91 heavy rafts
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2400-03 young rafting ice
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2408 cobble ice high up
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2409-10 helicopter/corner dull floe
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2411-15 people on cobble ice
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2416-18 second bright area; big blocks
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2419-20 high up
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2421-27 on ice third spot
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2428 looking for yellow type ice on slar map
4ENVISAT-Mar02 2434-2438 on ice 17:16-17:21
5ENVISAT-Mar04 2451 start
5ENVISAT-Mar04 2461 1463 corners
5ENVISAT-Mar04 2480 wiggly, refrozen leads
7ENVISAT-mar07 2482-2490 east of bridge
7ENVISAT-mar07 2492-95 bridge
7ENVISAT-mar07 2499-51 beacon
Land-fast floe 9 pictures CIS ice observer Simard Benoit
Appendix A:
fem01 feb12 N Strait/Bridge Long flight to Bridge yes video FO12-FO22
fem02 feb12 land
test no
video
fem03 feb12 N of PEI thin ice yes no
video
fem04 feb12 N of PEI ice around beacon yes no video
fem05 feb12 beacon 976 three lines yes no video 2172-2181
fem06 feb12 beacon26377 three lines yes video FO24----- 2181-2188
fem07 feb12 back to PEI yes video FO33
fem09 feb19 CCG: Bridge/CIS pass under bridge yes no video
fem11 feb19 Land-fast ice south of Summerside yes no video
fem13 feb19 beacon, 696 thin ice off Cape
North yes no video 2189-2200
fem14 feb19 beacon lines yes
no video
fem15 feb19 Bridge lines // bridge yes video FO37
– FO40
fem20 feb21 CCG: Ptn Prim and East With CIS observer yes no video
fem21 feb27 to Bridge Three lines video FO42
---- 2201--
fem22 feb27 at Bridge // lines and main line yes video FO57 ----2221
fem23 feb27 West of Bridge IcePic bad laser
fem24 feb27 West of Bridge IcePic bad laser
fem25 feb27 S of Pt Prim Bad data
fem28 feb28 No
GPS
fem29 feb28 beacon, N of PEI three lines yes video FO59
- FO64 2222-2229
fem30 feb28 off Egmont at end IcePic bad laser yes video FO66 2230-2235
fem31 feb28 beacon off Egmont bad laser three lines no no video/laser
EIS3003 feb28 Probe test No GPS TANS yet yes ---- FO68
– FO69
EIS3008 mar01 ENVISAT N of PEI long line to Maggies yes video FO71
– FO86 2237-2304
EIS3009 mar01 ENVISAT N of PEI line back from Maggies yes video FO88 – FO95 2305-2345
EIS3010 mar01 ENVISAT Aborted line over land
Mar01 ENVISAT/CIS on ice data video FO97 –
FO105 2348-2382
Mar02 ENVISAT/AGC Video flight, no laser video FO101 – FO114 2383-2404
Mar02 ENVISAT/CIS on ice data 2407-2438
EIS3011 mar04 ENVISAT E-W lines N of PEI yes video FO115
2482-2480
EIS3012 mar04 Hillsborough Bay late flight for Terry Fox yes video FO116 – FO119
fem37 mar06 NE of PEI to beacon some lines too
high video FO122,
123 and 125
fem38 mar07 Bridge area ENVISAT image mar08 yes video FO127-- 2451------
fem39 mar07 ENVISAT mar08 West of Bridge area yes video ------
fem40 mar07 ENVISAT mar08 East of Bridge area yes video FO144 ----2495
fem41 mar07 N of PEI lines
// to beacon yes 2496-2501
fem43 mar17 Hillsborough Bay bad flying conditions
fem44 mar17 TEMPS bad flying conditions
fem46 mar18 Beacon bad flying conditions
fem48 mar19 CCG/TEMPSC yes
fem49 mar19 CCG/TEMPSC yes
fem50 mar19 CCG/TEMPSC yes
fem51 mar20 CCG/CIS to Bridge yes
fem52 mar20 CCG/CIS to Bridge yes
fem53 mar20 CCG/CIS N Bridge NW of Bridge yes
fem54 mar28 CCG/Hillsborough B Spot samples yes
fem55 mar28 CCG/film NW of Bridge yes
Appendix B:
Winter 2003 PEI Field Operations
GeoSensors
Inc. Summary Report
Geosensors was directed to prepare for two winter field mobilisations during February-March, 2003. The initial mobilisation was scheduled to run from Monday, 10 Feb through Wednesday, 12 Feb, with a return flight early on the morning of the 13’th. The second was scheduled for the March 1-March 9 timeframe.
Ice conditions going into February were expected to be heavier than in previous years, due to a prolonged cold spell.
Tasks for the field work were to include:
1. Install and test the Ice Pic on CGGGM (CG353) (or CG363)
2. Assist Dr. Prinsenberg (SP) with data acquisition and validation measurements
· If required, a test line should be constructed on land-fast ice in a well-flushed and reasonably deep-water location in Hillsborough Bay.
· A high priority during setup of this line should be the selection of a flat, uniform, reasonably thin section of ice which can be used for calibration tests.
· Both vertical hover tests and profiles at a series of heights should be used to evaluate the Pic’s calibration accuracy with respect to height.
· This test line can also be used to train the pilot and any CIS personnel on the use of the Pic and Probe systems.
3. Install and test the Probe system.
· New software for the 32-bit console was prepared for this season, which outputs a serial data stream for acquisition and use by the Video GPS system.
· The original configuration of the system is to be backed up, then the new software loaded and tested on the ground.
· A flight test should then be conducted to verify that the system calibration is correct and that the Video-GPS system is acquiring data properly through the serial link.
4. Assist SP with data acquisition and validation measurements.
Tuesday, 11 Feb, 2003
Weather—major Atlantic storm passed overnight. Cold, snowy. Lightening but no true clearing occurred briefly during the day. Winds went NW by afternoon.
System installed and hangar-tested—EM, laser, heli GPS (had to switch back to X0 output format), heli radar, pitch/roll all checked out through Pic. Also checked Video-GPS with Simon—GPS, radar, video OK. AME had to compute W&B for Video-GPS and ARGOS Direction Finder after a long search for the relevant ASSB’s. Pilot Harrison Macrae assisted where required. No flight executed due to weather and W&B.
After installation assistance complete, JSH worked on revising Installation/ Operations manual.
Wednesday, 12 Feb, 2003
Weather—morning high cloud moving out, sun, 18 deg C, winds calm.
Afternoon displayed slowly increasing cloudiness, rising SE wind (7 kts at 1330)
W&B paperwork completed around 1000, initial flight via harbour and Hillsborough Bay, into Strait, then to bridge, sampling zones of Colin Stock’s 10 Feb ice chart. Pic and Video-GPS both operated properly. Trained Harrison Macrae (pilot) in operation of system. Returned to airport at approximately 1210.
Departed at approximately 1330 to NE to set up Argos GPS beacons between PEI and Magdalen Islands. Acquired data enroute, then near two beacon locations with profiles between them, and during return to PEI.
System was left installed in CG353 for use by ISS’.
Data were transferred to field computer, transcribed to DAT files, and inspected. Copies were prepared for SP and JSH. SP departed in evening for Dartmouth.
Thursday, 13 Feb, 2003
Near-gale in AM with drifting snow. JSH departed on 0630 flight to Halifax and Toronto.
Harrison reported a problem with DSP not responding from a test later this day, but a later test showed normal operation.
*********** Time Gap ************
Thursday, 27 Feb, 2003
JSH returned to PEI at 1630. Weather clear, v. cold, moderate NW wind.
SP had encountered a problem with Pic toward the end of file 30022, continued in 30023 and 30024. JSH checked files—laser started reporting many “No range” messages during 30022 and continued. Hypothesised condensation buildup in laser—brought Pic (now mounted on CG363) back inside—negligible improvement at first, after running for ~1-2 hrs, was reporting .66 and 2.7m ranges, with lots of “No range” messages still. Elected to leave Pic running overnight to warm up and dry out laser.
Probe console booted but reported problem in communicating with DSP. Checked some possibilities in evening, checked for spares, asked JL to prepare to come to PEI if no quick resolution.
Friday, 28 Feb, 2003
Weather clear, very cold, light wind
Pic--Laser altimeter operating properly, so warmup/dryout appears to have worked. SP took system out to do some sampling and to place a beacon ~22 mi N of airport.. Unit operated properly for about 2.5 hrs, then exhibited fault symptoms again.
Probe console—traced communications problem to EPROM that loads firmware. Two pins (ground and one of two power pins) were found to have questionable solder joints—these were re-soldered, and the unit was reassembled. System appeared to be running properly (including TANS, laser, EM) after putting it outside. Still need to install revised console software for communication with V-GPS, but prefer to execute a short flight test with present configuration before doing so.
Probe flight test yielded two RAW files. In the first file, an operational glitch (Tx breaker was tripped by JSH parka when tossed into back seat of helicopter) prior to takeoff, led to “Transmitter Off or Malfunctioning” error on User Interface Display (UID). System was restarted, with no change in message, and a test profile (FEM03002) was executed out to a safe location for landing in Hillsborough Bay. During this profile, there was no ice thickness data, but laser altimeter, position, bird orientation, etc were good.
Before the second RAW file was recorded, there was an apparent static discharge event, which may have occurred when the helicopter landed to permit JSH to locate the source of the glitch mentioned above. This event apparently damaged the serial interface chip located on the underside of the forward platform, below the main electronics box. Due to this damage, the system acquired good ice thickness data, (file FEM03003) but orientation and GPS position from the TANS Vector unit were not present.
On return to the hangar, the serial communications fault was traced and the chip replaced and tested.
Saturday, 1 Mar, 2003
Weather: clear, cold, light SW wind
FEM03008.RAW. Long flight to N of Malpeque Bay, then E to Grindstone.
FEM03009.RAW. Long flight from Grindstone to W, then S to ~Tracadie Bay.
Probe performed well for entire flight, although the heli GPS data was not getting through to the console properly (probably wrong format for real-time interpretation—this was not an issue for use of data). The TANS GPS data was satisfactory for data location.
Note that EIS03010.RAW was an aborted file at high altitude over land after completion of the long flight.
Assisted SP with troubleshooting V-GPS.
Sunday, 2 Mar, 2003
Weather: fairly clear, cold, wind SE
Heli was in use all day, JSH tested Pic laser to try to locate apparent Pic Laser (Optech SN0178), disassembled Pic and physically examined laser—no problems visible, so reassembled and continued to test.
Symptoms of laser problem: outputs NO RANGE or garbage altitudes when too cold. After a very long warmup in warm conditions, correct values are obtained, but as unit cools down, it eventually starts to fail again.
Monday, 3 Mar, 2003
Weather: rain, warm, winds SE. Late in day, winds NW and very cold.
Disassembled Pic to permit more detailed laser testing using auxiliary serial port (D9 connector). Also used this setup to test the V-GPS Alpha laser altimeter (red pod)—it was determined to be completely non-operational.
Installed and tested white Video-GPS pod with G150 laser.
Tuesday, 4 Mar, 2003
Weather: clear, cold, -15C winds W25 kts in morning, winds dropped during day
AGC group used helicopter in morning, SP and JSH installed and tested V-GPS and Probe system after AGC returned at 14:15.
Verified that CG363 (current helicopter) outputs GPS Serial Port 1 (must be in X0 mode) to the serial plug used by V-GPS, Pic and Probe systems). This is DIFFERENT from CG353, which has GPS Serial Port 2 wired to the serial plug.
File EIS03011 was a large rectangular track northeast of C’town. This flight path was intended to traverse regions to be imaged by the ENVISAT on Wednesday. Operating conditions and results seemed very good except for substantial SW headwind during return leg. Most of the ice was rather thin, but we crossed some interesting “scaly” pancake ice as well as a variety of other textures.
Refueled and executed EIS03012 over Hillsborough Bay. This flight was intended to provide ice thickness info for the Terry Fox ISS to use in planning its bulk carrier escort from Charlottetown through the fairly thick and dense ice near Point Prim. Results were plotted and sent out immediately on return, and hardcopy was provided to the Fox via Harrison MacRae.
Wednesday, 5 Mar, 2003
Weather snow, close to 0 C, light wind
Worked with SP on software troubleshooting, sorting out apparent unclosed file problem in the xx115.GPS file recorded during the long flight on Tuesday.
Thursday, 6 Mar, 2003
Weather: snow, cold in morning, clearing in late morning, many snow showers
Received spare laser altimeter, SN K00606 from Optech (via Louis Lalumiere) in morning. This unit’s output string was different from the documentation provided to JL, so JSH adjusted the real-time software to read it properly. The software should recognize the original Alpha data packets and interpret them properly as well when that unit is re-installed. Ground tested unit with good results.
Adjusted the transcription and inversion programs to handle the revised laser altimeter strings as well.
After installation, noted that the new laser altimeter seems to read approximately 10cm higher while on the tarmac than did the original laser—this seems unlikely (both units should have been calibrated in the same way at the factory) so the results should be tested against ground truth ASAP.
Flight tested unit over Gulf north-east of Charlottetown—flight file FEM03037.RAW—results look good, but no ground truth was obtained, as helicopter didn’t land. Note that only the first line in this file was properly acquired—the two later lines were flown too high or with improper baselines. Several hooded seals were observed from about 30 NM out of Charlottetown. Could not locate SP’s beacon with range and bearing finder and returned to base—testing at airport indicated a problem with the beacon locator’s calibration.
Friday, 7 Mar, 2003
Weather: clear, cold, winds west 10-15 kts, some turbulence.
Flew mission to bridge area (ENVISAT acquisition at ~1200 over this area) as follows.
FEM03038.RAW SW parallel to bridge on W side, then BG and NE parallel to bridge on E side. Land fast ice, then open water and very thin ice, followed by thicker ice and finally land fast ice on S side of Strait. A Sample Run was performed on the NE leg.
FEM03039.RAW SW from Ferwood to Cape Brun, close to submarine cable crossing. Same pattern, but even less thick ice. A Sample Run was performed along this leg. Second line in file ran along ship channel into Summerside Harbour.
FEM03040.RAW SW from Birch Point off Victoria Harbour toward NB side of Strait.
Returned to base for fuel. SP and HM flew out to locate, re-mark and profile beacon location halfway to Magdalen Islands.
FEM03041.RAW parallel lines near beacon location N of PEI.
On return of the helicopter, the V-GPS and Pic gear was removed from the helicopter so that it was clear for an upcoming seal biology deployment.
JSH returned to Toronto.
10-13 March, 2003
Repair reports (and purchase orders for repair work, etc) were completed and this report finalized.
All systems were left in an operational condition, despite two laser altimeter failures (one in V-GPS red pod, one in Pic), a solder joint problem in the Probe console that required correction, and a static discharge event that damaged the Probe bird’s serial communications interface. Excellent data were acquired during the 1 March SAR flight and during later SAR and satellite overpasses. Key data files obtained during this period are listed above.
The laser altimeters were repaired at Optech: scans of the repair reports are included in Appendix A. One fault (SN565, red V-GPS pod) was evidently caused by fatigue or impact breaking free an inductor from a board inside the unit. The other (SN178, Pic) was apparently due to a leaky capacitor or (less likely) to metal flakes of uncertain origin. This unit exhibits small cracks in the receiver lens that will eventually require replacement of the lens.
This field work was successful, but would have been more straightforward with a more complete spares kit. In particular, the Pic was not fully operational for several days, during which it was not required. Procurement of a spare laser altimeter alleviated the short-term issue, and the original unit has now been shipped back to PEI. The internal and transcription software can accommodate both laser altimeters without operator intervention.
The following is a list of existing and recommended spares.
Spares on Hand:
1. Laser altimeter (the Alpha that is to be returned to you should be compatible with both the Pic and Probe systems)
2. Console main CPU board (same for both Pic and Probe)
3. DSP/receiver board (common to both consoles—Geosensors has the spare unit at Sunderland and this will be shipped to PEI)
4. Bird CPU board
5. Ethernet board (can replace either bird or console Ethernet board)
6. User interface/power cable (identical for the two consoles, two of these cables and boxes are on site now)
7. Radar altimeter cable
8. Various IC's and other components
1. Capacitor for Pic transmitter
2. Complete spare cables between the Pic console and boom
3. Serial interface chips for Probe bird (to replace the one used this year and supply some more backup)
4. Static wicks and rewiring of bird to route wick terminals to a suitable ground (preferably to a shield on the tow cable, if this does not introduce airborne noise)
Other Spares Issues
1. Bird tow cable and strain member
2. A spare or replacement for the TANS Vector orientation sensor used for the Probe
3. There aren't many spare parts left for the Probe transmitter
1. The Probe, Pic (and V-GPS) systems were all operational as of 7 March.
2. The repaired laser altimeters should arrive in PEI before 14 March.
3. The spare DSP board for the Probe and Pic consoles will be shipped to PEI shortly. It will require testing when an opportunity presents itself.
4. Spares for certain key items should be procured to facilitate quick field repairs of the Pic, Probe and V-GPS systems. The purchase of an additional laser altimeter is very helpful in this regard.