by Wyatt Fournier
As we learned from Russ in earlier posts, equipment failures are just another part of a research survey and we will have our share.
The Northwest Explorer is rigged with a 3rd wire that connects to a sensor mounted on the head rope of our trawl net. This sensor allows us to measure the width and depth of the net as it fishes through the water column. This is fairly simple when fishing at the surface but when Dave sees an acoustic target and wants to fish a mid-water trawl, this sensor is extremely important. This sensor failed two days and has been restricting our ability to tow at depth. A replacement was sent by Air Cargo to the nearest airport, back in Sitka. We steamed towards the coast over night and this morning anchored up outside the harbor. Luke, the deck boss, and I took the skiff into town to retrieve our package which Liz McKenzie had generously picked up from Air Cargo. Thanks so much Liz!
Adam maneuvered the NW through the Whitestone Narrows and Neva Pass to save time allowing us to get back on the sampling grid before noon.
You can follow the Northwest Explorer at
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