NEFSC_towed_array_manual
PURPOSE
MAIN GOALS FOR REAL-TIME DATA COLLECTION
- Get accurate start/end times of all species encounters.
- Determine overlap between acoustic groups and visual sightings of delphinids, so that we have acoustic encounters identified to species as often as possible.
- Collect group vocal period information for Gervais’ beaked whales (high quality recordings of Gervais’ needed).
- Collect high quality recordings of Kogia species and get group vocal period information.
- Mark start and ends of sperm whale vocal activity.
- Capture the changing environmental conditions/situations.
GENERAL DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE
We will be using Pamguard to collect and record data. There is both an aural (sperm whales, some dolphin whistles and clicks), and visual component (spectrogram, click bearing-time display), data entry form, and incoming sightings information on a separate computer, so your attention needs to be diverted amongst multiple screens and incoming information.
- Please keep in mind that while you will hear sperm whales and dolphin whistles, you often will not hear echolocation – the aural component is to reduce the stress of what to pay attention to on screen.
- Sperm whale start/ends can be assessed aurally, and for dolphins, serve more as a cue.
START OF CRUISE
MAINTAIN LOGGER LOOKUP TABLE
In the steps below, you will be generating a blank database specific to each cruise that will contain all of the information pertaining to the modules in your Pamguard settings file. This blank database however, will not contain the historical record of the field options for the Logger forms. To use those options (and create new ones) requires you to upload the master Logger form into your new database. The master Logger form is Logger_UDF_20190814_Blank_NEFSC.sqlite3.
- All tables starting with “UDF” equates to a Logger form that an analyst can fill out to record cruise metadata and detection data.
- If there is an “x” preceding “UDF”, it means that form is invisible to Pamguard, but still retained in case you ever need to use it.
- Check to make sure that the forms you need for your cruise are active in the Logger file.
LOOKUP TABLE
The Lookup table within the Logger_UDF_20190814_Blank_NEFSC database contains all the reference material to populate the Logger forms.
| Field | Definition |
|---|---|
| Id | Has to be a unique ID number. Please sort this column to see the last number used. |
| Topic | General theme the field relates to (e.g., “Who”, “species”, “cruise number”). |
| DisplayOrder | Order in which the row should show up in the dropdown menu; must be unique within a Topic. |
| Code | Shortened code of the ItemText stored in database tables. |
| ItemText | Human readable short description. |
| isSelectable | Binary 1/0 to let Pamguard know whether to show that row (1) or not (0). |
DRY LAB SETUP
Towed Array Order of Connection
- Tail, End Array, attach to tow cable.
- Tow cable and array in full deployed are attached to the deck cable.
- Deck cable plugs into the front of the Acoustic Recording System (ARS).
- ARS sound cards plug into the Recording and Tracking computers via black USB cables.
Power and Depth Sensor
- White power cord at the back of the ARS plugs into ship’s UPS strip.
- White USB cable from the back of the ARS plugs into the Recording computer.
START OF LEG
DRY LAB COLD START UP: TOWED ARRAY
- Power up Recording and Tracking computers.
- Login to encryption and Admin profiles.
- Update time on computers at beginning of the Leg (UTC).
- Configuring GPS: Use serial to USB adapter cables (Keyspan Tripp-Lite).
- Requires driver:
USA-19HS Windows v3.7S. - Toggle Windows Security “Memory integrity” to Off to allow driver installation.
- Plug in GPS USB AFTER the computer has been restarted to avoid the “jumpy mouse” problem.
Soundcard and Depth Sensor
- Install NiDAQ_installer_1551.
- Follow the setup wizard and ensure “Always trust software from National Instruments” and “Disable Windows Fast Startup” are checked.
Configuring Depth Sensor in Pamguard
- Download Instacal to the recording computer.
- Apply the Windows 11 fix from MicroDAQ.
- Ensure the USB-1208LS is recognized in Instacal.
- Configure Depth Readout in Pamguard settings.
TOWED ARRAY: DEPLOYMENT AND RECOVERY
MORNING
- Contact Bridge for deck department assistance.
- Deploy at speeds between 5-10 knots (5 preferred).
- Do not deploy in waters less than 100 meters.
- Safety: Always wear a life jacket during over-the-side work.
- Two people should handle the oil-filled section (at least one acoustician).
- Connect lines with carabiners to the Yale grip and secure to aft cleats.
ACTIVE ACOUSTICS
An active acoustic system (e.g. EK80/echosounder) will be alternated between “ON/ACTIVE” (1200 – 0700) and “OFF/PASSIVE MODE” (0700 – 1200) daily. This is because beaked whales exhibit an acoustic response to echosounders thus we need to balance collecting passive acoustic information on beaked whales, with the need to collect prey layer data from the echosounder, which has been found to be a useful covariate in some species models. The survey technician on board is responsible for changing the echosounder state, however, it is your responsibility to VERIFY that the EK80 has been turned to passive mode based on the proposed schedule. If it has not, find the survey tech and kindly ask them to turn it off.
If you cannot find the survey tech, contact the bridge and ask for them, if that doesn’t work:
On the Pisces, the EK80 controls are in the acoustics lab toward the galley. To change the status of the echosounder, select “Normal operation” button on the right. Under “Mode” select “Passive” for all echosounder rows. Click “Apply” and “Ok”. This sets the echosounder settings to “OFF”.
Click the sound icon to the right of the “Ping” button to stop transmission.
Remember to turn the echosounder back on at 1130 by doing the inverse steps.