RCA Embarks on a 41-day Operations and Maintenance Expedition

Watch live video here.

The numbers are remarkable for the Regional Cabled Array’s (RCA) Operations and Maintenance Expedition that left Newport, Oregon aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson on Sunday August 13.  Because of its complexity and the need to move 100 different instruments, the expedition consists of four legs over 41-days. The legs are separated by ~2-3 days port call at NOAA Marine Operation Center in Newport, Oregon. A science team of 12 is conducting the scientific operations, with their work supported by an engineering team of 20 (not all onboard). The Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Jason, operated by a team of 12 from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is recovering and deploying instrumentation on the RCA for the duration of the expedition.

Finally, 25 students in the University of Washington’s VISIONS Program are onboard during various legs to gain real sea-going experience and work side by side with the scientific team.  Additionally, six other guest participants will be onboard, including a children’s author, engineers, and scientists.

The RCA annual expedition is always an exciting opportunity to watch real-life operations at sea.  Operations will be live-streamed here.  Details about the expedition, who’s involved, and what’s happening and planned can be found here. Daily updates can be found here.