Desert Star Acoustic Release Control System, Manual

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10.4 ARC Unit Deployment Procedure
STEP 1:
Slowly submerge the entire equipment column ​ (without safety cables/ropes attached) ​ under the
surface of water and only then let go of it, allowing the ARC unit with the payload and flotation device
to descend to the sea-floor. To ensure minimal stress on the release mechanism of the ARC unit,
please slowly descend the anchor & ARC unit at the same time, if possible. By preventing the full
weight of the anchor from being applied to the release mechanism in air you decrease the chance of
a unintentional release.
DO NOT ​ throw ​ the anchor along with the rest of the column overboard. Forceful entry to the water may cause unintended
separation of the anchor and the ARC unit.
STEP 2:
While the equipment column is sinking, utilize the “Acoustic Release Control” software to locate the
unique serial number of the ARC unit you just deployed, place the mouse cursor over the record in
the list of ARC units and single-click to highlight the row containing the serial number of the ARC
unit. Once the correct ARC unit is selected/highlighted, click on “Deploy Station” button. This action
will update the current GPS coordinated in the data record for this particular ARC unit. The “Acoustic
Release Control” software will retain the recorded GPS coordinates so that you can locate the
precise deployment site when you wish to retrieve the ARC unit.
If the unit is not already on your list, you may need to click the “Deploy Station” button in order to add the unit to the list.
If you do not have a GPS unit connected to the STM surface station, utilize any other stand alone GPS unit to obtain the GPS
coordinates of the deployed ARC station. Make sure to keep a record of GPS coordinates and corresponding ARC unit serial
numbers in a safe and secure place.
​
If you do not retain GPS coordinates of the deployed ARC unit, it will not be
possible to locate a precise deployment site for the ARC unit retrieval!
STEP 3:
Once enough time has passed from when you deployed the ARC unit and equipment column
underwater,
​ and
​
you are certain that the ARC unit has now reached its destination, you should check
the distance reading reported by the ARC unit back to the surface. To do so, use the personal
computer and “Acoustic Release Control” software to look at the list of ARC units listed and locate
the ARC unit you just deployed. Navigate the cursor over its record and double click on the record in