Principle Investigators' Corner
Data Services Provided
The HURL data department prepared dive packages,
including labeled tapes and other support materials, for
all dives conducted between 2005 and 2011. For dives
prior to late 2009, packages included 4 2-hr DVCAM
tapes, with 1-hr miniDV tapes available on demand for
recording from additional cameras. Once dives were
completed, all PI’s were provided with DVD copies of all
the video from their dives as well as all still images,
Tracking, CTD and NaDS data available for their dives.
Starting in 2010, dive packages simply consist of
formatted external hard drives pre-loaded with necessary
files. All data collected during a series of dives is
copied in duplicate to hard drives that are provided to
the PI and the data department archive. The library of
dive DVDs has become a regularly used resource for PIs
and graduate students who can use the archived video as
a part of their research and/or to help to prepare for
upcoming dives.
GIS Support for HURL Projects
HURL Biologist Dr. Christopher Kelley is experienced
with ArcGIS software and is responsible for the majority
of HURL’s GIS tasks. To assist other project
investigators, he creates GIS projects or GIS products
on request. To ensure investigators have access to GIS
tools during their cruises, he updates the ship’s GIS
laptop and tracking system computers with project
specific data, including dive maps and tracking system
underlays, prior to the ship leaving port. Investigators
who would like to make on-board last minute changes to
their dive plans can meet with Steve Price of the
operations team who can then help them select new dive
sites and create new dive maps on the GIS laptop.
Tracking system underlays have also been a particularly
valuable tool during the last six years. These are
multibeam and/or sidescan sonar geotifs, contours,
previous dive tracks, guide boxes, point files, and
other types of data that are pre-loaded onto the
tracking system computer. Prior to each submersible and
ROV dive, these layers are imported into the tracking
system display by HURL’s chief engineer, Dr. Dan
Greeson, which allows the tracking room operators to see
the real-time movement of the vehicles superimposed over
the data. Through communications with the submersible,
the tracking room can then precisely guide the pilots
and observers to target sites, interesting geologic
features, or ensure the vehicle is following the planned
dive route desired by the principal investigator. Kelley
and other biology program personnel also support biology
projects by assisting with identifications of animals on
request.
HURL builds part of its research program through
solicitations for proposals, with an open call typically
advertised every few years. Scientists interested in
participating may respond, usually through an initial
pre-proposal process to screen for programmatic
relevance and logistical feasibility. Following
invitation and submission of full proposals, the
selection of individual scientific research projects is
conducted through rigorous peer review and
recommendations from an independent scientific advisory
panel. Field work to support awarded projects will be
scheduled in collaboration with the principal
investigators, and may be conducted over several years
in some cases.
Forms
-
QLR
-- fill out after every dive
-
Science Gear & Personnel Forms (pdf)
(word)
-
Proposal Forms -- OER Cover Sheet (pdf)
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