Moss Landing Marine Labs
Technical Services

The R/V Point Sur performs routine data collection on most cruises, in addition to whatever specific data collection is requested.   Data collected on every cruise includes the underway data acquisition sensors (sea surface temp., salinity, meteorology sensors, fluorometers and transmissometer).   Ocean current data from the ship’s 150 kHz. ADCP is also routinely collected.   More information about these systems can be found on the ship’s website.

With advanced notice (indicated on the cruise planning form), the ship’s technicians can provide real-time access to the ship’s thermosalinograph data (temp. and sal.).   Files from the ship’s underway data acquisition system are typically based on 24 hours of data collection however, we can set this system up to output data real-time as well

Cruise specific changes to the ship’s underway data acquisition system (UDAS)should be coordinated with the Sr. Marine Technician.   These changes often require extended lead time and it is advisable to contact the Sr. Marine Technician as soon as the need is identified.

With the appropriate lead-time, it is possible to interface user-supplied instrumentation into the ship’s UDAS system.   This involves contacting the Sr. Marine Technician a minimum of four weeks prior to a cruise to discuss the possibilities.   In order to interface an instrument, the technician will have to have a copy of the data output under conditions similar to those that will be experienced on the vessel.   Without the appropriate lead-time, the ship’s technicians cannot guarntee that the sensors will be integrated into the ship’s UDAS.

Restrictions on the distribution of data are at the discretion of the Chief Scientist and will be followed by Moss Landing Marine Lab’s, Marine Operations staff.   No data will be released to other parties without approval from the Chief Scientist.