Date: Thu, 10 Oct 1996 13:02:35 -0500
(forwarded by Bob Anderson)

STORM DAMAGE TO MLML VAN


  On Sunday 6 October, the NBP encountered high stormy seas. According
to Captain Joe, these were the worst seas he has seen in the Southern
Ocean. At 14:48, an unusually high wave broke well over the main deck
aft shearing the deck eye bolts on the seismic gun winch and the
convertible van holding mooring floats. The sea conditions did not
permit anyone going on deck to correct the problem, so we spent the
rest of the day trying to minimize collateral damage to the other two
vans on the back deck. Nonetheless, the loose van smashed into the side
of the MLML TM van indirectly knocking off its door by disfiguring the
entire van. The inner plastic door did remain intact. The MLML van in
turn bumped into the Cafe Thorium van, further damaging the MLML van
but leaving Cafe Thorium bruised but intact. The loose winch remained
outboard of the convertible van on the starboard back deck most of the
day, but ultimately migrated to the port side blocking the usual door
to the MT shop. The anchors remained affixed to the deck throughout
inhibiting any further motion and the loss of vans, all of which were
broken loose of their moorings in the storm. About 20:00, the MTs were
able to go on the deck just long enough to resecure everything.

  On the morning of 7 October, the seas had subsided enough that the
Captain permitted us and then the scientists whose vans were damaged to
go on the back deck to further secure the loose winch and vans, to
assess damage, and to salvage equipment. John Andrews and David
Hirschberg entered the Cafe Thorium van and reported that it was
severely shaken up but did not leak; they can regroup to complete their
science. The MLML folks were not so fortunate. Kenneth Coale, Mike
Gordon and Jocelyn Nowicki had to salvage their wet (contaminated)
equipment including drenched computers and bring them into the ship.
Much of their gear was wrapped in plastic, so presumably is still dry,
uncontaminated and usable. It will be a few days before we know whether
or not they can be in business again for this cruise or will have to
wait for Process II.  Our staff is assisting them in every way we can,
including trying to salvage their computer.

  Two of our monitors also broke loose of their anchors and landed on
the deck. The tubes did not break, so they may still be usable.

  We just crossed 61S just now and should be entering the ice soon.
Tomorrow, we shall make another practice CTD cast in the ice.

  Regards, Otto