Technical progress report : advanced marine technology 1 August 1972 - 31 January 1973

Abstract

The work sponsored by ARPA at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is having an impact on efforts by those not directly involved in the projects both within and without the Institution. The navigation system being developed for submersible/mother ship has been recognized as a very useful system by members of the Geology/Geophysics Department and the Department of Physical Oceanography. Each department is now developing their own system based on the work already completed by the Ocean Engineering Department under the ARPA contact. Through the ARPA contract ComPhibLant (specifically ComPhibRonTen) was shown some of the advantages of doing something new about small boat and heavy object handling at sea and this program is expected to have some direct effect upon methods they will use in the future. Although the project concerned with developing biological equipment for deep sea work has not continued as part of the ARPA program, the seed was succssfully sown and several items are being developed at the Institution under separate funding. All the projects continued at a fair pace but not without some problems. The Deep Sea Rock Drill had some minor setbacks during operations with ALVIN, and the Air-Sea System (Long Range Ech-Ranging) project was hampered by a faulty engine aboard the air craft. Summaries of progress are given immediately below and more detail is available in the individual reports further on.