After a two-week deployment, it was time to retrieve Nicole's frame from Broadkill. Of course, nothing is without a hiccup - or a few:
1)The data was being transferred over an excessively long cable - dramatically increasing the time needed to complete the download. Therefore, we decided to transfer direct from the SD Card.
2)The Nortek rotary beam was taking such large data files that it filled the SD Card within 8 days of the 14 day deployment. Consequently, for the next deployment, we reprogrammed the rotary beam to collect data half as often as the first deployment (once an hour, rather than twice). This should keep enough space to gather data from the entire two week deployment.
2)The data logger being used to transfer the SD Card data crashed. Therefore, we replaced our Nikon's SD card with the one from the frame; plugged the camera into the laptop; and transferred the data through the camera. Lesson learned? Think on your feet.
3)The laptop used for programming the instruments was running low on battery, so we had to start transferring to another computer.
4)The length of time it took to collect the data and ready the frame for deployment caused low tide to pass and high tide to arrive. We attempted to deploy the frame, but the reef was too far submerged to reach.
5)A phantom ray ("unfamiliar dorsal features") threatened to eat Nicole.
The sunset was beautiful! And, even with the hurdles thoughout the day, life could be worse.
With the darkness closing in, we decided to regroup and go at it again during low tide in the AM. Of course, the plan was spur of the moment and led to a great dinner of BBQ chicken grilled over charcoal, cooked marshmellows, and Adam sleeping in a hammock. We were all serenaded to sleep by Erick Geiger. Also, Kendra and I made up some hemp bracelets. Not a bad night, in all.
No comments:
Post a Comment