08/29/2009-Sat (JD241)


Anne Wells whooping butt on the 3rd mate, Nick Gasper
“We really expected the ship’s personnel to be more competition”, said Anne

Daily Report from Anthony Johnson
082909_V1_DR_MGL.pdf
At midnight seas are 2 m, wind ssw at 8-10 Kts.  Shooting undershoot line 3 from north to south.  Begins well, then errors increase on S3.

Guns are working well at the beginning of line 3, but about midway through 0100 Z on the 29th, S3 develops firing problems.  These appear random.  Thus far S3 has been the biggest problem.  Several software resets and cable (GPS) changes are made, to no avail.  Robby suggests replacing the cable that runs from the RCM to the tail of S3. Will require 2-3 hours of work.  William and I decide to pull off the line and attempt another fix on S3 since this is an undershoot line and full power is required.  We will use ~4-5 hours for this maneuver.

While working on S3, S1 develops errors.  Digishot is restarted, efforts are made to trouble shoot S1 ship-side.  When maintenance on S3 is completed and deployed (0442Z), S1 is pulled on board, approximately 3 hours after S3 was pulled on board (0538Z).  Approximately 2.5 hours later S1 is deployed.  Turn is made to get back on shot line and first good shot occurs at 0853Z.

Remainder of line 3 is shot without incident and completed at 1858Z.

MGL moves into position to begin shooting MGL0910_02 from south to north.  OBS W1 is crossed at 2106Z.  For 1.5 hours the guns perform well, then S1 develops problems ~2230Z.  Numerous options are tried ship side, to no avail.  At 2355Z MGL0910_02 is ended for source maintenance.  Comm and power failures on S1, these develop across the entire string during turn to starboard.

Calming seas and pleasant weather throughout the day. Winds are light at 5-10 Kts.  Beautiful sunny afternoon, seas at 1 m, winds up a bit toward the end of the day to 15 Kt.