TowBoatU.S. Supports Local ADCP Recovery Operation
In March of 2010 Florida Atlantic University's school of Ocean engineering and the SeaTech institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering chartered TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale's 46' work boat to recover several ADCP's (Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers) off the coast of Ft. Lauderdale Florida. These devices were deployed in 2009 to measure currents for an extended period of time over a variety of depths.
Florida Atlantic University's Ocean engineering program is focused on preparing students for the study of the world's oceans to determine the effects of waves, currents, and salt water environment on ships and other marine vehicles and structures and develop methods and materials to withstand wave forces and protect against corrosion. Ocean engineers are involved in development and use of manned and remotely operated sub-surface vehicles for deep-sea exploration and resource recovery. The deployment and recovery of these ADCP's is one of the hands on exercises that are regularly included in the Curriculum at the college in preparation for a career in Ocean Engineering.
The crew of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale assisted in locating and recovering these units which ranged from 550 to 1550 pounds in weight and were located up to 20 miles off the coast of Port Everglades in the swift currents of the North Atlantic Gulf stream. An acoustic release system was used to release the units from their deployed depth allowing the crew on the deck of the boat to secure the load and lift it on board using the work boats knuckle boom crane. The larger unit was transported back to the docks at the University in tow and recovered using a larger crane at the dock. TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale berths their 96' Work Boat M/V Richard L. Becker at the University's dock in Dania Beach Florida; this boat was used for the initial deployment of these devices in early 2009. Both boats which are equipped with deck cranes are available for long or short term charter. Click on this link to view a video of the deployment process. For more information about the school of Ocean Engineering at Florida Atlantic University, log on to their website at www.ome.fau.edu.
