15 March – 11 April 2017 – On R/P FLIP for a scientific experiement

From March 15th to April 11th, 2017, a team of oceanographers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography were on the R/P FLIP to study and observe Langmuir circulations generated by the wind and waves at the surface of the ocean. Here are some photos to share with you our experience on the R/P FLIP during our time on board. We had a lot of science done, but we also had fun as well, after the science was done of course.

A panorama showing some members of the science team having fun as FLIP being towed out to sea. There was fog rolling over Point Loma.

The two sonar systems were mounted on the hull of FLIP to measure the velocity field at the near surface.

Kerstin started to flip before FLIP flipped.

Team Melville was working hard to install instruments on the port boom.

Nick P. is adjusting a deployment winch on a lower deck.

Crew members moved a heavy winch.

Johny, a crew member and Captain Tom were fixing a pulley block.

R/V Sally Ride

R/P FLIP

R/V Robert Gordon Sproul

An small work boat from the R/V Sally Ride brought us extra food.

An small work boat from the R/V Sally Ride helped us with some line work.

R/V Sally Ride was caught in a windy storm at sea during our experiment.

This is us on FLIP, scientists and crew members.

A wave glider was another autonomous instrument released during the experiment. We used this instrument to measure the sea surface and the sub surface physical property.

Breaking waves viewed from FLIP during a storm.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle deployed from the other boats as part of the experiment.

R/V Sally Ride

Breaking waves viewed from FLIP during a storm.

Crew member working on FLIP getting FLIP ready to go home.

Captain Tom tied a special knots that transfer the tension from the top of the main anchor line to an auxiliary line. This was one of three mooring lines that anchored FLIP on station.

Dave, a crew member, and Captain Tom were preparing to release the mooring lines.

Some of the small ropes used on FLIP.

Randy, a crew member, sliced a strongly tensioned mooring line like a knife through butter. This was one of three mooring lines that anchored FLIP on station.