Weather Window

We had a small weather window a little bit back and we able to get out to a buoy to address an intermittent CTD communication issue.

Seattle Sunrise

 The buoy computer was failing to send commands down the cable to the CTD.  The buoy computer and package of oceanographic instruments had been recently deployed so this left either the cable itself (called the hydro-wire) or the slip-ring on the winch.  The slip ring was inspected and appeared to be functioning properly so that remained on the winch.  The hydro-wire was taken off and a new one was put on. 

Since the nature of the problem was intermittent numerous test casts were conducted.  Each cast came back successfully, so we felt confident we had addressed the problem.  On one of the casts though the winch struggled a bit bringing the instruments up, we will have to wait and see how this plays out. 

Upon arriving at the buoy my hands were instantly covered in grease and the by-products of numerous Cormorants enjoying their time perched on the buoy.  So, I have no pictures from the buoy that day.  But, the sunset on the way home was pretty nice...