VOLUME I: ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 PAGE 1 AJURAK – BEAUFORT SEA 3-D SEISMIC PROGRAM Week 2 and 3 Activities: August 17 to 31, 2008 During this period, the crew on board the MV Riverton completed deployment and recovery of the hydrophones used by JASCO for verification of mid and deep water safety radii. Additional hydrophones were deployed for the Cornell University acoustic monitoring research on whale movements. In order to locate potentially hazardous underwater features, the Riverton completed a series of depth sounding transects in the eastern part of the study area. They refuelled and resupplied the MV Western Patriot on August 24 and 25. The MV Western Patriot worked primarily in the top priority central part of the survey area during the second and third weeks of the program, completing an additional 23 seismic lines. This brought the total to 29 lines completed of the 106 lines planned for the program. The outlook for completing the entire program is very good. During 15 of the line changes, there were periods of low visibility, so a single air gun was left firing to warn any unseen marine mammals of the approaching seismic vessel. Seismic acquisition was interrupted a few times during the period for routine maintenance and to address minor equipment malfunctions. The MV Hudson Bay Explorer functioned as the picket vessel for most of this two week period maintaining a position in front of the MV Western Patriot. Whenever the MV Riverton was otherwise occupied they also conducted ice scouting transects. Highlights • Excellent progress; now up to 29 out of the 106 seismic lines completed • All MMOs in place and actively monitoring operations • No whales observed within safety zones • Crew changes, resupply and refueling operations all completed without incident
During this period, the crew on board the MV Riverton completed deployment and recovery of the hydrophones used by JASCO for verification of mid and deep water safety radii. Additional hydrophones were deployed for the Cornell University acoustic monitoring research on whale movements. In order to locate potentially hazardous underwater features, the Riverton completed a series of depth sounding transects in the eastern part of the study area. They refuelled and resupplied the MV Western Patriot on August 24 and 25.
The MV Western Patriot worked primarily in the top priority central part of the survey area during the second and third weeks of the program, completing an additional 23 seismic lines. This brought the total to 29 lines completed of the 106 lines planned for the program. The outlook for completing the entire program is very good. During 15 of the line changes, there were periods of low visibility, so a single air gun was left firing to warn any unseen marine mammals of the approaching seismic vessel. Seismic acquisition was interrupted a few times during the period for routine maintenance and to address minor equipment malfunctions.
The MV Hudson Bay Explorer functioned as the picket vessel for most of this two week period maintaining a position in front of the MV Western Patriot. Whenever the MV Riverton was otherwise occupied they also conducted ice scouting transects.
Highlights • Excellent progress; now up to 29 out of the 106 seismic lines
completed • All MMOs in place and actively monitoring operations • No whales observed within safety zones • Crew changes, resupply and refueling operations all completed
Ship and Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) crew changes took place from August 18 to 20. Ship bound crew and MMOs convened in Tuktoyaktuk starting Monday August 18. While in Tuktoyaktuk, the crews stayed at the Gruben’s Camp. NTCL ships transferred crew to and from the MV Riverton during their resupply on August 18. Ongoing MV Western Patriot crew travelled from Calgary to Tuktoyaktuk via a Canadian North charter. Offgoing, south bound crew traveled on Aklak Air and Canadian North scheduled flights. Local MMOs traveled to and from their home communities in the ISR on Aklak Air scheduled flights. All crew transfers between Tuktoyaktuk and the MV Western Patriot were on Canadian Helicopter flights. Once on board, the new crews went through an orientation and safety briefing, which was in addition to the weekly safety drills on all of the ships.
No whales or polar bears were seen by MMOs on the MV Western Patriot and no shut-downs of seismic activity were required. A number of bowhead whales were observed from the MV Riverton, while in route between Tuktoyaktuk and the license area. No whales were seen within the license area. About 88 seals were observed in 43 sightings.
From August 17 to 31, continuous observations were conducted by a minimum of two full-time MMOs when the MV Western Patriot seismic array was active.
Weather conditions and overall ‘sightability’ of marine mammals was mostly favourable except for about two days with rougher sea conditions and fog. The applicable safety zones were not visible to MMOs for about 69 to 74 hours, out of a possible total 336 hours, due to darkness and dense fog.
MV Western Patriot - August 17-24: MMOs on the MV Western Patriot did not observe any whales, but made 36 seal sightings of up to 79 seals primarily in shallower waters at the eastern edge of the licence area. Seals were in groups of one to 15 and most sightings were made on Thursday August 21. Numerous sea birds were also observed including glaucous gulls, Arctic terns, sea ducks, jaegers, loons, and one Northern fulmar.
MV Riverton - August 17-24: MMOs on board the MV Riverton made 19 bowhead whale sightings, detecting up to 22 individuals while en route between the Tuktoyaktuk Harbour and the licence, and while transiting to and from an area east of the licence, where Cornell University hydrophones were deployed. Fifteen seal sightings were also made; most were of individual seals, but three groups of one to 20 seals were also recorded. Most seals sightings were of ringed seals. The MV Riverton MMOs also spotted many sea birds.
MV Western Patriot - August 25-31: MMOs aboard the MV Western Patriot did not observe any whales. There were four seal sightings primarily at deep water locations (>700m). A total of nine seals were seen.
MV Riverton - August 25-31: MMOs on board the MV Riverton observed two bowheads far away from the seismic operations: one east of the licence and one south of it. There were four seal sightings of up to five seals.
