Endurance Inshore Surface Mooring Logistics, Operations, and Refurbishment Plan
Inshore Surface Mooring Logistics, Operations, Refurbishment PlanVersion 1-01
Document Control Number
2014-08-25
Coastal and Global Scale Nodes
Ocean Observatories Initiative
Oregon State University
College of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences
104 COAS Admin Building, Corvallis,OR97331-5503
in Cooperation with:
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Endurance Inshore Surface Mooring Logistics, Operations, and Refurbishment Plan
Document Control Sheet
Version / Date / Description / Originator0-01 / Mar 28, 2014 / Initial Draft / L. Morgan
1-00 / June 2, 2014 / Additions to initial draft for first deployment / L. Morgan
1-01 / Aug, 25, 2014 / Edits for second deployment, after first recovery / L. Morgan
Table of Contents:
1Overview of Process
1.1Purpose
1.2Scope
1.3Documents
1.3.1Guidance Documents
1.3.2Reference Documents
2Logistics
2.1Configuration and Sensors
2.1.1Sensors by Section
2.1.2Computational Element Configuration
2.2Sampling Rates
2.3Asset Management
2.3.1Property Management
2.3.2Instrument Tracking
2.4Facilities
2.4.1Staging & Storage
2.4.2Shipping & Packing
2.4.3Transportation
2.5Site Specifics
3Operations
3.1Cruise Planning
3.1.1Scheduling
3.2Deployment / Installation
3.2.1Deployment / Installation Readiness Review
3.2.2Deploying from the Ship
3.2.3Physical Sampling
3.3Standard Operation
3.3.1Command and Control
3.3.2System Health Monitoring
3.3.3Emergency Procedures and Deficiency Resolution
3.4Recovery
3.4.1Steps before Recovery
3.4.2Recovery onto Vessel
3.5Reporting
3.5.1Cruise Reports
3.6Procedures & Work Instructions
4Refurbishment
4.1Maintenance Requests and Tracking
4.1.1Tracking Service History
4.2Preventative Maintenance
4.2.1Post-Recovery Cleaning & Disassembly
4.2.2Vendor Calibrations & Preventative Maintenance
4.2.3Storage & Transition for Next Deployment
4.3Corrective Maintenance
4.4Vendor Relations/Management
4.4.1Service Agreements
4.4.2Service & Maintenance
4.5Integration and Burn-In
4.5.1Electrical
4.5.2Mechanical
4.5.3Inventory and Configuration Documentation
4.5.4Burn-In
4.6Sustaining Engineering
4.6.1Technology Refresh
4.6.2Change Control
4.6.3Failure Analysis
4.7Decommissioning
4.8Procedures and Work Instructions
5Data Management
5.1Data Collection
5.1.1Data Communication Pathway
5.1.2At-Sea Data Transmissions
5.1.3Post-Deployment Data Recovery
5.2Data Transfers
5.3Data Types
5.3.1Science Data
5.3.2Metadata
5.4Data Storage
5.5Data QA/QC
5.6Procedures and Work Instructions
6Quality Assurance & Quality Control
6.1Quality Conformance Testing
6.2Procedures and Work Instructions
7Training
7.1Resources
7.2Documentation
8Safety
8.1Plans & Procedures
8.2Safety Training
8.2.1Endurance Training
8.2.1OSU Environment Health & Safety (EHS)
8.2.2Sea Safety & Survival Training
8.2.3Fork Lift Training & Certification
8.2.4Overhead Hoist Training & Certification
8.3Lithium Batteries
8.3.1Disposal
8.3.2Transport
Ver1-01 1
Endurance Inshore Surface Mooring Logistics, Operations, and Refurbishment Plan
1Overview of Process
1.1Purpose
The Inshore Surface MooringLogistics, Operations, and Refurbishment Plan establishes the planning, processes and methods to be used for safe and efficient operations and maintenance of the Inshore Surface Moorings on the Endurance Array of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) under the purview of Oregon State University (OSU).
1.2Scope
The scope of work described in this document conveys a concept of operations. As priorities and budgetary constraints evolve, the OOI O&M Annual Work Plan will describe the scope of work to be funded for that calendar year. Activities described throughout should be viewed as tentative and dependent on funding levels.
This plan outlinespossible objectives and activitiesin conjunction with mooring deployments, recoveries and maintenance, as well as all planning and logistical components associated with tasks and process development.
1.3Documents
The following documents are listed for guidance and reference. The only "official" version of any document is the most recent CCB approved version. Documents are maintained in the OOI Document Management System (DMS).
1.3.1Guidance Documents
- 1001-00000 Project Execution Plan (PEP)
- 1100-00000 Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)
- 1101-00000 Final Network Design (FND)
1.3.2Reference Documents
- 1000-00000 Configuration Management Plan (CMP)
- 1006-00002 System Safety Management Plan (SSMP)
- 1007-00000 Risk & Opportunity Management Plan (ROMP)
- 1010-00000 Operations & Maintenance Plan(O&M)
- 1011-00000 Property Management Plan (PMP)
- 1102-00000 Data Management Plan (DMP)
- 1102-00300Protocols Procedures for OOI Data Products: QA, QC, Calibration, Physical Samples
- 3101-00008 CGSN Quality Assurance Quality Control Plan
- 3101-00011 CGSN Property Management Plan
- 3101-00045 CGSN Cruise/Plan Report Template
- 3101-00047 CGSN Configuration Management Plan
- 3311-00002 CGSN Shore Station Specification
- 3311-00003 CGSN Operations Capabilities Concepts for Observation Management Centers
2Logistics
2.1Configuration and Sensors
The Inshore Surface Mooring (ISSM) is the smallest of the Endurance buoys (Figure 1). The surface buoy is hardened for submergence by breaking waves. It therefore includes reduced instrumentation and communications. Power is provided by primary batteries, which are contained within a well in the surface buoy. Additional batteries are mounted on the Multi-Function Node (MFN). The mooring below the surface buoy includes a 5 m EM chain connecting to the Near-Surface Instrument Frame (NSIF), and a conducting stretch hose to the MFN.
Two types of WHOI controllers are present on the ISSM (Figure 3). One is the Communications and Power Manager (CPM) and the other is Data Concentrator/Loggers (DCL). The CPM and DCL are very similar in their hardware architecture in that they are Linux based single board computers with associated hardware, firmware, and FPGA code. The CPM and DCL differ with respect to their functionality, which is dictated by software and the types of devices connected to them.
Figure 21: Schematic showing an ISSM buoy with CPM & DCL information and instruments
For detailed information about a specific mooring configuration, see the Configuration Spreadsheet for the specific deployment posted currently on Alfresco.
2.1.1Sensors by Section
2.1.1.1Buoy Sensors
•Motion Pack (MOPAK)
•Velocity_point (VELPT)
2.1.1.2NSIF Sensors
- attenuation_absorption_optical (OPTAA)
- Fluorometer_three_wavelength (FLORT)
- CTD_bottom_pumped (CTDBP)
- oxygen_dissolved_stable (DOSTA)
- Velocity_point (VELPT)
- pCO2_water (PCO2W)
- pH_stable (PHSEN)
- nutrient_Nitrate (NUTNR)
- spectral_irradiance (SPKIR)
- Modem_acoustic (ACOMM)
2.1.1.3MFN Sensors
- Velocity_point_3D_turb (VEL3D)
- pressure_SF (PRESF)
- Velocity_profile_short_range (ADCPT)
- pCO2_water (PCO2W)
- pH_stable (PHSEN)
- attenuation_absorption_optical (OPTAA)
- CTD_bottom_pumped (CTDBP)
- oxygen_dissolved_stable (DOSTA)
2.1.2Computational Element Configuration
The DCL and CPM use on any ISSM are as listed in the assembly drawings unless otherwise noted in the integration or configuration documentation for a particular deployment.
Figure 22: Example CPM and DCL configuration
2.2Sampling Rates
Sampling rates for the entire Endurance Array and specifically the Inshore Moorings are listed in the current version of 8205-61000_OOI_Endurance_Sampling on Alfresco.
Table 24: ISSM Sampling as of April 2014
2.3Asset Management
The equipment that supports the mission of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is purchased using National Science Foundation(NSF) and institutional contributions. The primary grant holder, the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL), owns all equipment purchased using NSF funds. COL has the primary responsibility for instituting a property management system; however each Implementing Organization (IO) has its own property management plan that has been reviewed by COL. All of the property owned by COL will be managed according to the Property Management Plan (PMP, DCN: 1011-00000) and in conjunction with the OOI-wide solution still to be determined.
2.3.1Property Management
Equipment used to support Endurance ISSMs, including the moorings themselves will be managed using the Oregon State University (OSU) PMP ( which is in agreement with the CGSN PMP (DCN: 3101-00011) and the COL PMP (DCN: 1011-00000). As part of the OSU PMP, a Biennial inventory will be conducted according to established OSU procedures ( Additional property management and asset tracking tasks may be required to support the science mission and use of the data. Those data specific to Endurance ISSMs will be stored and maintained by CGSN staff.
2.3.2Instrument Tracking
One of the primary tasks that will be required to support the science mission and use of the data is instrument tracking. Instruments will be tracked over the course of their lifecycle to provide a complete lifecycle record that will provide an historical context for the data generated from those instruments. Deployment configuration will include the serial numbers of each instrument as well as many other important components of the mooring hardware. The individual deployment configurations will be tied to the deployment information for eachmooring. It will allow for tracking of instrument calibrations, as the calibration information provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will include the instruments serial number and date of calibration which can be matched up with the date of deployment and recovery. The deployment configuration will be prepared at the end of each refurbishment cycle and is part of the refurbishment procedure.
2.4Facilities
The base of operations for the Endurance Array is in Corvallis, Oregon at the Ocean Observing Center (OOC). This 12,500 square foot building has been renovated to provide state of the art refurbishment, test, and operations facilities.
In addition to workspaces and a high bay, there is a compass calibration space with low magnetic interference, secure server space, a well-outfitted machine shop and administrativesupport services provided by OSU.
2.4.1Staging & Storage
Storage of instruments while at OOC is in the hard shipping containers sent from the manufacturer, with most instruments being delivered in pelican cases. Storage of equipment and instruments at the OOC facility is either in the lower storage areas, lab spaces, or in the upper Mezzanine area (approximately 3000sq ft). Staging of instruments and equipment for use on a mooring, occurs first in the lab space with bench testing and electrically integration, then mechanical integration and full mooring layout prior to burn-in occur in the high bay area. Minimal disassembly will be required after burn-in.
2.4.2Shipping & Packing
Instruments and components needing to be shipped will be handled by OSU Printing and Mailing Services from the OSU campus. Packages can be sent from the OOC by requesting a pick up using the online form ( or by delivering the package directly to OSU Printing and Mailing.
Protective boxes for packing will be used for shipping. Delivery containers may be used for transport if deemed necessary and component is not assembled into the larger mooring section, such as stretch hose and EM chain.
2.4.3Transportation
Transportation to and from the OOC for ISSM deployment and recoveryoperations can be provided by the OSU motor pool, which has over 230 vehicles for short-term rental as well as long-term rental agreements, for smaller/lighter loads and personnel transportation. For large shipments commercial trucking companies with flat beds and air-ride suspension is preferred. Low boy and drop deck flat beds will be utilized as necessary to accommodate the height of the mooring based on clearance restrictions on proposed routes. Transportation of the ISSM will generally be between Corvallis and Newport, Oregon. Consideration of the hazards in transporting lithium batteries will be taken into account as noted in section8.3.2 of this document.
2.5Site Specifics
The Inshore Surface Mooring sites are outlined in 3205-00022 Endurance Array Site Characterization: Site Design document posted on Alfresco.
3Operations
3.1Cruise Planning
For each regularly scheduled deployment and recovery, a cruise plan delineating the location, time, equipment, and vessel specifics of the cruise will be produced utilizing a set template similar tothe CGSN Cruise/Plan Report Template(DCN 3101-00045) to ensure consistency and that appropriate information is supplied. Endurance management will schedule the vessel, organize staffing, and work with ship operations personnel.
3.1.1Scheduling
Cruise scheduling for spring and fall uncabled cruises use the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory Ship Time Request (UNOLS STR) system and are initially scheduled years in advance. As the yearly budget is finalized and the cruise date gets closer, the Principal Investigator for the Endurance Array will adjust sea days and work with the applicable ship operations units for the assigned vessel to adjust and finalize cruise dates. The ISSM deployments will be one of several moorings deployed on a typical bi-annual uncabled cruise. The appropriate Project and Request IDs associated with a particular cruise will be included in the Ship Scheduling section of the Cruise Plan.
3.2Deployment / Installation
Activities described below flow from the integration and burn-in tasks described in section 4.5 of this document. Pre-deployment, installation, operating and recovery are described in this section below.
3.2.1Deployment / Installation Readiness Review
Integration of the mooring is described specifically in section 4 of this document and is considered part of refurbishment. After full integration and burn-in testing, pre-deployment and deployment checks and instructions are outlined in . In water testing may or may not occur depending on the availability of a suitable location and access to the necessary lifting mechanisms shore-side.
3.2.2Deploying from the Ship
The mooring will be pre-assembled for deployment on the ship’s deck prior to leaving the dock. As the buoy is lifted the Near Surface Instrument Frame (NSIF) and mooring riser will be rigged in such a way as to allow them to follow going into the water. Specific deployment details are included in the 8307-61100 ISSM Field Operations Procedure and will be modified as needed and included in the cruise plan for each deployment depending on the vessel to be used.
3.2.3Physical Sampling
Physical sampling will be conducted as prescribed by OOI and will be detailed in the associated Cruise Plan.
3.3Standard Operation
3.3.1Command and Control
Description of how this will occur will go here.
3.3.2System Health Monitoring
The available OMC and/or CI tools will be utilized as described by the OOI program to assess the system health of the mooring during deployments.
3.3.3Emergency Procedures and Deficiency Resolution
Emergency procedures will align with other platforms on the Endurance array and will consider safety of life foremost and preservation of property as funding allows and as prescribed by the OOI program.
3.3.3.1Communication Loss
Description of dealing with communication loss – XEOS?
3.3.3.2Data Interruptions
Dealing with troubleshooting of lack of data will include…
3.3.3.3Mooring Broken Free or Deficiency Resolution
In the event that an ISSM breaks free from its anchor and is free floating, assessment of the immediate dangers will be taken into account. If there is a threat to health and safety or the possibility of damage or added costs such as loss of mooring than operations to secure or recovery the mooring may commence. If safety, loss, or damage is not threatened then additional action would be factored on an as available and funding basis.
3.4Recovery
The recovery teams will follow set protocols that promote consistency of operation. Tasks planned for recovery will focus on the safety of personnel foremost and locating and securing equipment carefully. Recovery details are generally described below and listed in detail in the recovery section of 8307-61100 ISSM Field Operations (Deployment & Recovery) Procedure as well as in the particular cruise plans.
3.4.1Steps before Recovery
A detailed recovery plan, of equipment to be used and personnel actions required, will be outlined and communicated to all personnel involved in the recovery process to ensure safety of operations. Once the recovery vessel is near the actual mooring position, the recovery sequence is initiated with the acoustic release command(s).
3.4.2Recovery onto Vessel
Once released, the buoy, riser and MFN are designed to separate from the anchor, and float free. The ship is free to maneuver during the buoy, riser, and MFN recovery operations. The buoy will be recovered first. Then the riser will be separated from the buoy once the buoy is secured, and recovered by hand via a Bell-mouthed stern ramp. The MFN will be brought on board in a similar fashion as the buoy. Specific recovery details are included in the 8307-61100 ISSM Field Operations Procedure and will be modified as needed and included in the cruise plan for each recovery depending on the vessel to be used. The same set of standard photos as taken before deployment are replicated to enable tracking of any physical changes to the mooring that may occur during a deployment (e.g. effects of bio-fouling).
3.5Reporting
3.5.1Cruise Reports
Cruise reports will be completed for each cruise. In addition information on any physical sampling conducted if required will be included in the cruise report. The cruise reports will be posted to Alfresco in the appropriate programmatically defined location.
3.6Procedures & Work Instructions
The procedures and associated work instructions created and utilized for Inshore Surface Mooring (ISSM) operations are:
8307-61100 ISSMField Operations (Deployment & Recovery) Procedure
- 8307-61102ISSM Deployment Checklist Template
- 8307-61103ISSMDeployment Instructions
4Refurbishment
The ISSM refurbishment process includes: evaluating the maintenance needs of the mooring; carrying out preventative and corrective maintenance; calibration and quality control checks of their instruments;followed by integration and burn-intesting. This refurbishment process will return the mooring to a "ready to deploy" state that is available for transport and deployment operations.
4.1Maintenance Requests and Tracking
4.1.1Tracking Service History
The service history of mooring components will be tracked through the refurbishment cycle and updated at the completion of the refurbishment and post refurbishment verification testing. Tracking of service history will allow flagging of overdue calibrations or past due preventative maintenance. It will also aid in asset tracking, withthe flagging ofwhat is being refurbished and what is deployed.
4.2Preventative Maintenance
4.2.1Post-Recovery Cleaning & Disassembly
After recovery, technicians will begin cleaning and disassembly of the mooring some of which will already have begun during the recovery operations and cruise and continuing after transportback to the OOC. Senior personnel will evaluate its maintenance needs during this part of refurbishment. If higher levels of maintenance are not due,then the equipment will be stored for future use.
4.2.2Vendor Calibrations & Preventative Maintenance
The preventative maintenance tasks that are required on a yearly basis are calibration of the instruments. Additional in-house or vendor maintenance may be conducted as needed and funding allows.
4.2.3Storage & Transition for Next Deployment
Un-calibrated equipment that is in a condition that allows for re-deploymentwill be cleaned and stored for future use. Instruments that are calibrated and have been returned are stored and available for future deployments.
4.3Corrective Maintenance
Corrective maintenance needs will arise out of several different paths. The first may arise out of a trouble ticket opened by a data user or the marine operator during a deployment. During refurbishment a failed sensor check could trigger corrective maintenance, and similarly a failedfunctional checkout might require corrective maintenance. Finally, parts can be broken during field operations, and again these events would trigger corrective maintenance. Depending on the complexity of the repair, corrective maintenance will be carried out in house at the OOCor by the manufacturer.