Ocean Response to Winter Storm

A storm moved through the Mid Atlantic on November 15, 2018.  The MARACOOS High Frequency radar network captured  the center of the low pressure system as it moved north past Delaware and New Jersey.

The surface winds from the Global Forecast System (GFS) had the center of the low further inshore.

We’ll continue to analyze these two data sets to understand the discrepancy.

RU29 – 2 years ago

Chari just sent this photo from the Perth glider port looking back 2 years at the re-christening of RU29 with water from the Indian Ocean before the start of its historic mission within IIOE-2.

Looking back at all that was accomplished, I first think of all the people that made it possible. Working together, we advanced the technology, we explored an ocean with new threats, and we overcame new challenges on shore. We made new friends, and together, accomplished something that was hard. Some call these types of friends comrades, some call them mates.  In Spanish, we call them companeros. Our co-workers, our partners, our equals. All dedicated to a common goal. Companeros have a bond that has been tested, and a bond that has survived, because of a shared vision that is bigger than our differences.

With the return of RU29, we now focus our attention on the next mission. I look forward to working with all of you as we prepare to redeploy from Spain in September of 2019.   The preparations will be hard, and seeing the mission through to the end will be even harder.

But we are companeros.

Borrowing words from our global navigator – Force, wind and honor all.

Recovery Team Photos

RU29 recovery team arrives at the fishing port of Marissa. Flags are from NOAA, the Explorers Club and Rutgers. Captain and crew of the Marissa wearing red RUCOOL caps.

Entire group back onshore by the Marissa Fishing Marina.

RU29 Damage – First look

First approach.  Usual barnacles. Rudder is still attached but is hard over.

On board the Crystal. Deep scratches on the tail, port side.

Deeper scratches on the starboard side.

Forward energy bay has numerous scratches.

Pitch battery hull scratched on the bottom.

Hello from Marissa

Oscar and I are here in Marissa, same place we picked up RU29 after its record breaking mission flying from Perth, Australia.

RU29 is currently 8 nautical miles due south of Marissa Harbor.  It is still in deep water to help with station keeping.  The surface currents are strong, so we like to wait at depth.

Our boat is the catamaran Crystal. We stopped by today to see the vessel and meet the captain and crew.  We have two staircases down to the water level platform, one on each side.  The captain and lookouts will be on the upper deck as we approach the glider.

Tomorrow’s schedule in Sri Lanka times:

Van pick up at hotel 4:30 am.  At boat by 5 am.  Boat loaded and set up for 5:30 am – 6:00 am departure. On site by about 7 am our time.  We’ll get the current location of RU29, and a waypoint to head to that is just to the east of the current location.  We head to our waypoint and then turn west, approaching the glider with the sun at our back.  We will be standing on the upper deck looking for the glider with the Iridium phone getting text updates of location and the gps to let us know which way to go.