Deployment; Recovery - Ocean Sonics Coastal Acoustic Drifting Buoy User Manual

Deployment

Note: For safe deployment ensure the vessel engine is stopped during deployment.
1. Set-up buoy using Ocean Sonics Guidelines for Deployment and the
above.
2. Check operation using Wi-Fi to ensure hydrophones are recording and streaming.
3. Start deployment with bottom of array cables.
a. Lower the bottom weight on end of cables into water.
b. Slowly feed in the hydrophones and cables of the array.
Special care should be taken with the heave plates and hydrophones.
c. The Buoy should be the last instrument lowered to the water.
4. The Wi-Fi connection will continue streaming to PC while the buoy is within range
(up to 100 m).

Recovery

Note
The recovery requires 2-3 individuals. It is best to have 1-2 people retrieving the
equipment from the water while another person is laying the equipment out on the deck
as it is retrieved taking care of fragile hydrophones and minimizing tangling of the array.
1. Transit to buoy.
2. Use gaff hook to secure buoy.
3. Tie a rope around the top ring to secure buoy.
4. Retrieve the buoy from the water.
a. Lay the buoy on deck while holding onto the rope attached to the cabled array
below.
A winch can be used to allow easier retrieval of buoy on deck.
b. Slowly pull out the heave plate and recover the remaining array by hand, with
special care handling hydrophones.
5. Connect to the Wi-Fi on the Buoy.
a. Note: The Buoy may shut off Wi-Fi link if batteries are low power.
i. If this is the case, use the test cable instead of the buoy Wi-Fi.
6. Turn off recording on all hydrophones- using the Web Browser or Lucy.
7. Turn off Ocean Sonics Buoy (OFF Position: 0).
8. Rinse the Buoy, hydrophones and equipment with fresh water.
9. Hydrophones can be Powered Down to retain battery at 100%.
For each hydrophone:
a. Attach test cable.
b. Insert the reset tool.
Ocean Sonics Buoy User Guide
Quick Start
April 2020 P.6