MVP30 Operators
’ Guide
1
OM-09000-0-04-004B
AML Oceanographic Ltd.
1
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1.1 OVERVIEW
As a brief overview, the MVP profiling operations begin by turning on the system, manually
winching out a length of tow cable on the deck with the remote pendant (depending on
installation configuration) and manually deploying the fish overboard. The tow cable is deployed
until the f
ish is in its towed position. A ‘Dock’ messenger is positioned between the inner and
outer sheave limit switches at the anticipated vessel survey speed when the fish is 2-3m below
the surface.
The ‘Dock’ messenger is to be installed according to section 1.2.
Once the above setup is complete, computer automated Moving Vessel Profiling can begin
once the system is in Auto Mode. Each profile will start and finish with the fish at the set towed
position. Once profiling operations are complete, the fish is winched in with the remote pendant
until it can be recovered by hand; the system is then shut down.
1.2 SETTING THE TOW CABLE MESSENGERS
The messengers are installed at three locations on the tow cable. The
’Cable End’
messenger
is located on the last turn of the second layer (from the bottom) on the winch drum. It is installed
at the factory when the tow cable is spooled onto the drum.
When the fish is in the towed position,
the ‘
Dock
’ messenger should be located between the
Overboarding Sheave and the 'inner sheave' switch (refer to
Figure 1
). Determining the position
of the Dock messenger is performed by towing the fish at the average survey speed while
monitoring the fish depth and position behind the vessel. The fish should be clear of any
cavitation caused by the vessel's propulsion and be at a depth which does not cause the fish to
porpoise (usually 2 - 5 meters below the surface). Once the desired towed position has been
established, the tow cable should be marked (and cable out recorded) and the fish recovered.
Once the fish has been secured, the tow cable can be removed from the drum until the mark is
visible and the messenger is able to be installed.
The third messenger is installed one to three meters
from the ‘Dock’ messenger towards the
fish; this
‘
Backup
’ messenger acts as a backup to the dock messenger.
WARNING:
The MVP30 system should only be operated by personnel trained in the
operation of the system!
Keep all personnel a safe distance away from the winch during profiling
operations.
