Today we deployed a 4,100-meter-long mooring as part of the Crossroads project, led by scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. On this cruise, the project is being led by Heather Furey, who is working closely with Dr. Amy Bower to better understand the interaction between the Gulf Stream—a strong, warm current flowing near the surface—and the deep currents moving in the opposite direction.
Deploying a mooring of this size is a bit like solving a giant puzzle in motion. Before we could begin, we had to do several calculations to make sure the mooring would end up in the right place on the seafloor. We needed to consider how long it would take to assemble and release each component while the ship kept moving, making sure the line did not become tangled. We also had to account for the time it would take for the mooring to sink to the bottom of the ocean while being pushed by the currents.
In the end, we actually used the Gulf Stream to our advantage. By navigating against the current, we were able to keep the mooring line as straight and aligned as possible during deployment.
Everyone on the team worked really hard together, and we successfully deployed the mooring within about 2 km of our target location—which, considering all the moving pieces involved, was a reasonable approximation.
Able Seaman Monica from the R/V Neil Armstrong crew and our UMiami technician Eduardo placing the first buoys of the mooring, while our chief scientist, Tiago Bilo, guards the top section. Photo by: Ana Mariani
Our three UMiami technicians (Cedric, Eduardo, and Joe) together with UMaine Master Colin, placing the last buoys of the mooring before the deployment was complete. Photo by: Andrew Barna
UMiami technicians Eduardo and Cedric, together with Able Seaman Derrek Rogers from the R/V Neil Armstrong crew, holding the bottom of the mooring. Photo by: Andrew Barna
Time for a quick snack break while we pull more cable for the mooring deployment. Photo by Andrew Barna.
The top of the mooring, seen from a distance as we continue assembling the rest of the system. Challenge: Can you spot the tiny yellow dot in the ocean? Photo by Andrew Barna.
Our three UMiami technicians (Eduardo, Joe, and Cedric) assembling the first set of buoys and carefully lowering them into the water as the mooring deployment gets underway. Photo by Andrew Treat.