Manual revision 005
Section 4: Deploying and Operating SBE 63
SBE 63
31
Recovery
Rinse the outside of the SBE 63 with fresh water.
WARNING!
If the SBE 63 stops working while
underwater, is unresponsive to
commands, or shows other signs of
flooding or damage, carefully
secure it away from people until you
have determined that abnormal
internal pressure does not exist or
has been relieved.
Pressure housings
may flood under pressure due to dirty
or damaged o-rings, or other failed
seals. When a sealed pressure
housing floods at great depths and is
subsequently raised to the surface,
water may be trapped at the pressure
at which it entered the housing,
presenting a danger if the housing is
opened before relieving the internal
pressure. Instances of such flooding
are rare. However, a housing that
floods at 6300 meters depth holds
an internal pressure of more than
7000 psia, and has the potential to
eject the end cap with lethal force.
A housing that floods at 63 meters
holds an internal pressure of more
than 85 psia; this force could still
cause injury.
If you suspect the SBE 63 is flooded,
point it in a safe direction away from
people. Remove the SBE 63 from the
sensor mount (if applicable). Very
slowly unscrew the SBE 63
dome
,
letting the internal pressure bleed off
slowly past the O-ring as the O-ring is
released from the housing. Then, you
can safely remove the dome.
