The Folger Pinnacle instrument platform received its most recent overhaul in July. Heavy bio-fouling had impacted the reef and 3D camera systems and several instruments were in need of calibration or replacement.
Sechelt’s Pelagic Technologies, supported by the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, conducted the diving operations.
On July 22, the dive team recovered the platform from the pinnacle and transported it back to Bamfield. A group of energetic young students from Bamfield greeted the platform on the dock and began a frenzy of biological sample collections.
Once the samples were safely in the hands of the students, the operations team began the major cleaning effort. After a long night and very early morning, the platform was clean, tested and ready for deployment.
The next morning saw the platform carefully lowered to the pinnacle and secured in place. Plugged back into the NEPTUNE observatory, the platform was powered up and the user services team soon reported that all the instruments were sending data. With winds and seas increasing, the divers made the last adjustments to the cameras and conducted a final inspection before bidding the platform farewell.
The next service of the Folger platform is scheduled for October. In the meantime, log in to watch live video from 25 metres depth. See www.oceannetworks.ca/sights-sounds/live-video.
