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Melville Handbook

ACOUSTIC DOPPLER CURRENT PROFILER (ADCP) - Melville has either a 150 kHz or a 300 kHz RDI ADCP installed for scientific use. Only one frequency is installed at any one time and prior arrangements must be made to change to the alternate system. Usually a long lead time for scheduling the replacement of the transducer head must be given, since it is necessary to use divers and a dam must be installed to prevent flooding when the changeover is made. The transducer head is mounted approximately amidships and to port of the centerline with a 45 degree rotation. The system utilizes the doppler effect to measure currents in the water column. Current profiles can be produced in as many as 128 depth cells, each cell being variable from 1 to 32 meters to a maximum depth of 700 meters. When the bottom is within range, an earth-referenced vessel velocity can be obtained which allows for the measurement of currents in absolute terms. Data are processed on an IBM compatible PC/AT using standard RDI software. Current profiles are displayed in real-time on a color monitor. If the data are to be logged on the attached floppy disk, users must provide their own floppy disks. The system takes inputs from the ship's gyro compass and the Trimble 4000AX GPS receiver. An Ashtech 3DF system is installed on the ship and the data is archived on the Sun 600 server for later post-processing to resolve any discrepancies in the gyro information. The system is normally operated by the chief scientist that is interested in collecting the data and technical assistance is provided by the Shipboard Computer Group engineer that is normally aboard.

A-FRAMES - Melville has two A-frames. One is located on the stern and the other is located on the starboard side amidships. Each is capable of such operations as piston coring, rock, and box coring from the side. The starboard side A-frame is best suited for piston coring, due to the extensive clear rail along the starboard main deck for rigging core barrels (up to 80' of core pipe). The stern frame is best suited for towing modes (nets, sediment traps, and hydrophones). Both frames are rated above the breaking strength of 9/16" wire (32,500 lbs). The stern frame (which is the larger) can lift a 12,500 lbs load from deck to water or vice versa. Located forward on the starboard side main deck is a J-frame serving the hydro winch.



AFTER STEERING - All conning of the ship is done from the bridge, since the configuration of Melville's superstructure allows all on-deck operations to be viewed from one or another of the bridge wings. Auxiliary controls are mounted in each wing so that the helm may be monitored at any of three locations within the pilothouse.

AIR, COMPRESSED - (See Compressed Air)

AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING - Internal temperatures are regulated with thermostats. Each stateroom also has individual thermostats. The lab air conditioning is tied into the A/C system for the entire ship.

BIOLOGICAL SAMPLING - (See also Chief Scientist's Manual) A limited suite of biological sampling equipment can be provided on board Melville. This includes an Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl (10' mouth), a 1 meter plankton net, a 1 meter neuston net, a 10' Otter trawl, and assorted dip nets. Contact the resident technicians regarding this equipment. Sample storage bottles, labels, preser-vatives, sorting apparatus, microscopes, etc. are not stocked, and are the responsibility of interested investigators.

BOATS - A Boston Whaler (10') is normally carried by Melville as a work boat. Specific requests should be made to the marine superintendent prior to departure of the ship from San Diego, to insure a boat meeting your requirements is available. At sea the crew controls launching, operation and recovery of boats.

BOATSWAIN LOCKER - There is a rigging locker on the main deck: the main boatswain's locker is located all the way forward. These lockers contain hardware and supplies utilized by the crew in the maintenance of the ship. These lockers also contain portable securing devices, such as cleats and eyebolts, for use with the 2' deck bolt down pattern. The resident technician or a crew member will assist you in their use if necessary.

BULKWARK DOORS - Several sections of the fantail bulwarks are capable of being removed, to permit loading and handling of large and/or heavy objects. Requirements for the removal of bulwark sections should be discussed in advance with the marine superintendent or the captain.

CABLE RACEWAYS - Raceways run between labs and from the labs to the fantail. Do not disturb existing wiring and remember to remove yours at the end of your cruise.

CAPSTANS - There is normally a large capstan on the fantail, on the center line, immediately aft of the after hangar. A second portable capstan may be positioned on various locations about the deck.

CHEMICALS - Use care in storage, handling, and disposal of toxic chemicals, particularly inside laboratories. All chemicals brought on board should be accompanied with a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provided by the chemical manufacturer. Plastic bottles are safer at sea and should be used unless specific chemicals must be stored in glass. Disposal of chemicals should in general be directly overboard, not into ship plumbing. The ship's captain must know what chemicals you are carrying. A chemical storage locker is available and is the only safe way to carry most chemicals aboard ship. Please make arrangements with the resident technicians in advance for proper stowage.

CLEAN POWER - (See Electrical System)

COMPUTER - Two Sun 600 servers running UNIX file system are permanently installed in the ship's computer room. A computer engineer to support them and the other standard data acquisition equipment is normally aboard on all cruises. Each Sun 600 server includes 4 internal CPU's, 128-Mbytes of memory, a 1.3-Gbyte disk, a 2-Gbyte disk, a 2.4-Gbyte disk, a CD-ROM, a 4mm DAT tape drive, an 8mm Exabyte tape drive, a 9-track read 800 bpi read/write 1600/6250 pbi tape drive, 16 dedicated high speed serial ports, two dedicated SCSI ports, two ethernet ports (one to service the ship's ethernet and one dedicated to SEA BEAM) and one GPIB (IEEE-488) bus. Various printers and plotters are available in the main lab and computer lab along with standard ASCII terminals and X-windows terminals. A few IBM PC/AT clones and Apple Macs are also available. The computer room, main lab, and computer lab are interconnected by an ethernet backbone and by RS-232 connections. Both AUI transceiver cable taps and thin wire connections are available for the ethernet in the computer room, main lab and 01 computer lab. The computer lab has a terminal server for additional serial connections. 10Base-T (twisted pair) connections are also available in the computer lab. An Ashtech 3DF system is permanently installed to provide very accurate attitude information. The data is not applied in real-time to any of the instrumentation, but can be passed on to other systems if required. The data is archived on the Sun 600 server for post-processing with other data sources. An IMET Meteorological System is permanently installed that provides wind speed/ direction, relative humidity, barometric pressure, shortwave radiation, air temperature, sea surface temperature, and precipitation information. The information is logged on the Sun 600 server and can be provided to interested users in real-time. The computers provide an E-mail link via high-speed modem over the ComSat satellites. The E-mail system used is a store-and-forward facility with typically one connection being initiated per day. When the chief scientist arrives at the ship, he or she will complete a form which asks for his E-mail account name. The Shipboard Computer Group will then set up the E-mail account. The usage of E-mail must be paid for by the user and covers both incoming and outgoing messages for each user. Cash or credit cards will not be accepted aboard ship for this service. The chief scientist is ultimately responsible for charges incurred but not paid for by individuals in the scientific party. The computer engineer will send Melville's weekly science report for the chief scientist at no cost. The Ship Scheduling Office requests that the weekly report be in their hands by noon on Tuesday. Users aboard ship are normally able to send messages using the same addressing as ashore. Their addresses while on the ship will be:

melville!username@sdsioa.ucsd.edu

If you have problems sending E-mail, contact the Shipboard Computer Group for assistance. The computers perform a standard set of data acquisition and processing functions. This includes the collection and archiving of various ship's navigation sensors and meteorological and geophysical data. Data acquisition equipment includes an RDI 150 kHz or 300 kHz acoustic doppler current profiler, a Bell BGM-3 gravity meter, a Sippican XBT, a SEA BEAM 2000 bathymetric mapping system and a Trimble 4000 AX 10-channel GPS receiver. The data from these instruments are logged by the computers, and upon request the data can be made available in near real-time along with any other routine data that is being archived. Specialized real-time data acquisition can be done by prior arrangement with the Shipboard Computer Group. The XBT probes that are carried on the ship are for the calculation of the sound velocity profile for the SEA BEAM 2000 system and are not available for other uses although the data can be made available to interested parties. If a separate XBT program is planned, the chief scientist must provide their own XBT probes. Use of SEA BEAM 2000 and the Bell gravity meter requires a separate sub-contract. The current published rates for their use are available at the SIO's Ship Scheduling Office.

COMPRESSED AIR - Ship's service air is 100 psi at 12 cfm. The upper limit cannot be used continuously. It is suitable for running pneumatic tools, but it is not clean. Users should plan to supply their own filters if the air is intended for any lab use. Outlets are at the same places in the lab as water. Air for airgun reflection operations is provided by a Price air compressor in the trawl winch room at 2,000 psi, 200-210 cfm. The ship normally carries one Price air compressor. If larger amounts of air are necessary, arrangements must be made in advance to carry additional compressors. If scuba air is needed a small supply is carried in tanks. For larger amounts, make arrangements before the cruise to carry a special portable compressor for diving air.

CRANES - The marine superintendent, the chief engineer, or the resident technician must be consulted concerning all proposed freight handling. Permission to operate cranes is strictly limited to authorized personnel. These cranes are operated at sea only by permission of the captain. Pettibone model TB; located on the 01 deck just aft of the superstructure. Minimum radius 5', maximum radius 60'. Load at minimum radius, 36,000 lbs. Load at maximum radius, 3,540 lbs. Load figures shown here, in particular for minimum radius, are static loads with crane fully topped up. Allied crane is located on the after part of the 01 deck nearly centerline and serves the entire fantail area. It has a 65' articulated boom. The in-port load limits are 5,000 to 12,000 lbs depending on the distance from the crane base. The at sea limit is 4,000 lbs at all angles of reach. Small semiportable cranes are also available and generally are carried on the main deck. They can be placed in various locations about the deck but cannot be safely relocated once the vessel is at sea. The minimum reach is about 2', maximum reach is 18'. Maximum load at all boom angles is 1,500 lbs. The resident technician must be consulted prior to any use of this crane.

CUSTOMS - Shipping equipment to and from foreign ports requires the scientist to deal with two sets of customs officers and rules, theirs and ours. Register your items with U.S. Customs (Form 4455) first. Check with the consulate or embassy of the foreign country next. Document and make lists of everything. List the value of each item. Etch or mark serial numbers on each item. Commercial container shipments are made to and from R/V Melville as needed during the course of an expedition. Arrangements from SIO are made by the Resident Technician Group, while arrangements from the ship are made by the resident marine technician aboard. Cost of commercial shipments is apportioned to contracts and grants utilizing them.

DAVITS - These are all designed to be portable and bolt-down, and are positioned according to anticipated research needs. None of them are power-driven, and the design load limits are in the range of 1,000 lbs.

DECK LOADING - The weather decks where equipment may be loaded include the foc'sle, the 02 level and 03 level forward of the bridge, the 02 level aft of the stack, the 01 level starboard side, above the forward hangar, the 01 level aft, above the fantail, the quarterdeck, starboard side and the fantail. The approximate loading is 1/2 ton/sq ft. All of the spaces listed above, except the foc'sle and 03 level, have deck tie-down patterns, which must be used in securing gear. Welding directly to the deck is not permitted. Ship stability is ultimately the responsibility of the captain. The responsibility of scientists is to consult MarFac or the resident technician early to describe loading plans and requirements so that any necessary adjustments can be made. The more complex and heavy your equipment the more advance notice is needed. Our goal is to resolve problems well before sailing day, so that it will not be necessary to leave scientific gear on the dock in order to assure a safe ship.

DECK TIE-DOWNS - No welding is permitted directly to any deck. All installations must use tie-downs (welding may be done to 'ears' or plates, which in turn are bolted to the deck). Bolt holes are 1" nc. Bolt holes in equipment should be made 1 1/8", to allow for deck irregularities. The main deck and 01 level aft have a tie-down pattern of 1' x 2'. The 02 level's pattern, aft is 2' x 2' (this is narrow deck encircling funnel aft of topside lab). The forward section of 02 level is a 4' x 4' pattern. Foc'sle and 03 level have no tie-down pattern. 01 level platform above quarterdeck is a "temporary platform'' for placement of starboard hydro-winch and also has no tie-downs. Tie-down pattern in laboratory spaces is 2' x 2', holes are 3/8" nc. Extensive (~3,000) bolt down fittings for removable equipment are available on all decks and inside laboratories.

DEPTH RECORDING - (See Echosounding)

DISTILLED WATER - (See Fresh Water)

DOPPLER LOG - A doppler log is installed for speed measurements. (See Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler)

DRAINS - (See also Chemicals) Main lab sinks drain directly overboard. The under-sink areas in the lab should (1) be carefully inspected before using the sinks to insure that connections are in fact connected and open, (2) be kept clear of stored items capable of damaging pvc pipes or blocking drains, and (3) be kept clear of lab trash and debris.

ECHOSOUNDING - Melville has both 12 kHz and 3.5 kHz echosounding systems for laboratory use, as well as a shallow-water sounder on the bridge for navigation. It is expected that an echosounder watch will be maintained whenever the ship is under way, except in areas that are very well surveyed. The resident marine technician will instruct new personnel in watch standing procedures, and perform daily maintenance on the equipment. See the Chief Scientist's Manual for more details. The suite of equipment includes: two EDO 550 recorders, two EDO 248-E transceivers, two EDO 8 kw power amplifiers for the 3.5 kHz system, a receiving streamer and filter amplifier, an EDO standard 3.5 kHz transducer mounted on the door of the center-well, a set of Harris transducers for the 3.5 kHz system in a protecting chest inside the fuel tank under "boys town", one 12 kHz EDO transducer in the bow dome and two in the skeg. There is an automatic "record annotator" run by the computer.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - Permanently installed lab computer power is 15 kw mg set. The ship has the following power plant elements :
3 SSDG 1,000 kw 600 vac 3 phase
1 SSDG 550 kw 600 vac 3 phase
2 1,000 kva transformers 600 vac to 480 vac
Various 50 amp 3 phase 480 volts
Various 220 volt 3 phase 30 kva total available
Various 120 volt receptacles
1 400 amp 480 volt stations (normal power for Geologic air compressors)
Lab Clean Power 30 kva mg set
Ship's electronics 30 kva mg set

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT - R/V MELVILLE has recumbent and normal exercise cycles, Nordic Track, free weights and a stair climber.

EXPLOSIVES - For information on shooter schedules and storage of explosives contact the resident technician. The storage and handling of explosives aboard ship are strictly regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard and by other agencies. All plans for explosives use must be cleared well in advance. Submit plans for loading and use of explosives to the Ship Scheduling Office. Most of the resident marine technicians are qualified explosives handlers. If, however, there is to be extensive explosives use, a qualified person in addition to the regularly assigned resident technician must be on the ship. For information on shooter schedules and storage of explosives and to obtain USCG permits, contact the resident technician.

FLOOD LIGHTS - Working lights on deck are controlled by the bridge. Other deck lights and their on-off switches are known to the resident tech, who will see to it that they work. Consider the night vision of the crew and use only the lights you need, turning them off when finished. Hand lamps, flashlights, etc. can be obtained through the resident technician. Supply is limited; large scientific parties should provide their own units.

FREEZER - (See Refrigeration and Freezing)

FRESH WATER - Fresh water generation capacity is 4,000 gals/day. Fresh water is generated in two ways (1) by using waste heat off the main engine to distill water while underway, and (2) by using the reverse osmosis water maker. Fresh water production by the R.O. system has a substantial mineral content. Potable water tank capacity is 15,896 gals. Distilled water is available off the evaporator but not continuously. There is no scientific still on board. Fresh water should not be used for wash down purposes, except if necessary and then by consultation with the resident technicians. In personal use, conserve. Take sea showers; do only full laundry loads. (See Section VIII. Ship Organization)

GASES - (See Storage) These are the responsibility of the individual requiring gases for shipboard use. Any gas under pressure is dangerous; consult the captain or the resident technician for safe stowage methods and locations.

GASOLINE - Inspected vessels are severely limited by law in the amount of gasoline they can carry, unless they have approved built-in tanks, which R/V Melville does not. Small amounts of gasoline for outboard motor use at sea are carried in USCG-approved containers. If larger amounts of gasoline are needed, a special "portable" tank can be placed aboard--but it must be requested in advance from the resident technician.

GENERATORS - (See Electrical System)

GEOLOGICAL SAMPLING EQUIPMENT - Gravity coring equipment, a piston coring suite of equipment, a box corer and rock dredges are maintained by the Resident Marine Technician Group. A researcher planning use of any of the above equipment during an expedition should make this need known during the pre-cruise conference or before. The size and weight of geologic sampling gear make it expensive or impossible to ship commercially. Liners of clear butyrate tubing are used with both gravity and piston corers. This liner deteriorates during long storage. Each researcher should determine his needs. The Resident Marine Technician Group can buy a liner, on a recharge basis, gauge it for size and load it on board before an expedition. Detailed plans for projected use should be submitted with the longest possible lead time to allow for assured supply of critical items, such as pipe liner for core barrels, and dredging supplies.

GEOPHYSICAL SAMPLING GEAR - R/V Melville can be equipped with a wide range of geophysical gear such as a magnetometer, airguns, reels, recorders and hydrophone streamers. Other related systems can be made available. These involve wide-angle reflection, refraction, and single-channel analog and digital reflection. Availability and use of the equipment, as well as the participation of qualified operating technicians, must be planned several months in advance of cruise departure. The geophysical engineer is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the echosounding systems and magnetometers installed on SIO vessels. These services are provided on a cost basis. Contact the Shipboard Geophysical Group of Shipboard Technical Services for more information and costs.

GYRO - The ship's gyro has various slaved repeater units. There are repeaters located in the main and 02 labs, computer room, and flying bridge to permit monitoring of the ship's course.

HATCHES - (See Internal Well) In addition to cargo hatches, and manholes, there are watertight doors in all labs and to all weather decks as well as all the other interior doors, some of them spring-loaded. Careful use of all doors and hatches, especially at sea, is very important. Carelessness could easily lead to severe injury.

HOLD - (See Storage)

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM - (See also A-frames, Cranes) Both side and stern A-frames are hydraulically operated, as are both cranes. Operating controls for the frames are located on the port side of the stern frame, forward side of the side frame. Questions regarding user applications of excess hydraulic capacity should be directed to Nimitz Marine Facility (the marine superintendent, the port engineer, or the chief engineer on board Melville) well in advance.

HYDROGRAPHIC BOOMS - (See Winches)

HYDROWINCH - (See Winches)

HOODS - As of this writing, there are no chemical hoods provided in any of the ship labs or vents for hookups.

INTERNAL WELL - This is an 8' x 10' space that penetrates from the main deck to the keel, near the center line. It is closed at the top with a screw-down soft patch, and the original intent was to mount a drilling rig here--this use has never occurred. It is generally used for storage. Any intended use of the well to deploy equipment should be worked out with MarFac well in advance.

INSTRUMENT WELLS - There are four 20" diameter wells (1) port side, 01 level, (1) starboard side under the starboard A-frame, and (2) aft just outboard of the stern A-frame legs. Intended use should be cleared with the captain and the resident technician.

ISOTOPES - (See Radioactive Material)

INTERCOM - (See Internal Communications, Section VI. Navigation and Communications Capability)

MAGAZINE - (See also Storage) There is none on board. Storage of explosive substances has in the past been in fantail containers prepared for the occasion and dismantled/abandoned afterwards. There is a U.S. Coast Guard approved converted 20' shipping container for use as an explosives magazine. It is not normally carried and must be requested from resident technicians.

MAGNETOMETER - R/V Melville is equipped with a Geometrics G-886 Marine Proton Magnetometer. The system consists of the towfish, tow cable, winch, deck lead, deck box, power/data lead-in, and power supply. The main electronics of the system is in the deck box, which is located in the crane base, near the winch. The data stream leaving the deck box is digital (RS-232), and therefore much less susceptible to noise than older systems. Data is logged to the ship's on-line computer, along with most other data streams such as Seabeam, IMET, GPS, etc. The data is displayed in real-time on the watchstander's console. The tuning of the magnetometer, as well as the logging of the data, is done automatically when the system is turned on.

MASTS - Melville has two masts, plus the jackstaff. The main mast is part of the stack assembly and main superstructure. It is located above the pilothouse, and includes the crow's nest, 2 radar antennas, ship's whistle, main mast lights, and the ADF antenna in the top most position. The anemometers are mounted on the foremast platform. The foremast is at the forward end of the 02 level and is the usual location of temporary scientific antennas.

PROPULSION - Melville is equipped with twin "Z" drive shrouded propellers aft, trainable 360 degrees. Propeller speed is variable from 0 rpm to full. A shrouded bow "Z" drive propeller, similar to the stern drives, is also available for station work in deep water. The unit is stowed within the hull behind a flush cover and must be lowered to operate. The bow propeller cannot be used at faster than maneuvering speeds. Thrusters can be controlled independently or integrated through a Robertson Shipmate autopilot system. Dynamic positioning is also available utilizing GPS or transponder navigation systems. Melville is capable of accurate station holding in most wind and sea conditions, and is also capable of moving directly sideways at speeds to 2 kts. For fuller details of handling and maneuvering characteristics consult the captain.

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL - The use of radioisotopes, or other isotopes in concentrations not found in nature, is strictly controlled aboard Melville Permission to use radioisotopes must be obtained from the SIO Ship Scheduling Office in writing, following written application (which is reviewed by the Radioisotope Committee) describing aims of the work and the isotopes, quantities, and procedures to be employed. Such usage must be consistent with strict precautions for safety and to prevent contamination of the ship. All handling of isotopes must be done within a designated portable isolation van. Vans are available upon request to the resident technicians; Cleanup costs of any isotope spills will be charged to the persons responsible. .

REFRIGERATION AND FREEZING - There is no dedicated built-in refrigerated space available for scientific use. There is a permanently installed explosion-proof refrigerator in the main lab for science use. The ship normally carries an 18 cu ft chest freezer for scientific use in the trawl winch room. The ship's cold storage is NOT available for scientific use. Portable chest types freezers are available upon request.

SCUBA DIVING - All diving from SIO vessels is controlled by the Diving Officer. Each diver must have a valid University of California Certified Diver Card or have been approved by the Diving Officer prior to every diving operation. Click here for the Diving Form. When completed, return to the Ship Scheduling Office. There is no decompression chamber, and no scuba air available on R/V Melville. A portable scuba air compressor can be supplied by the Diving Office at SIO. R/V Melville carries a buddy pair set of scuba gear for emergency work or hull inspection. Researchers should bring their own gear. Not all resident technicians at SIO are divers, but those that are certified are usually eager to dive.

SEA BEAM - Melville is outfitted with the SEA BEAM 2000 multiple narrow beam 12 kHz swath mapping system. It is under the custody of and operated by the SIO computer and/or electronics engineer. The system is a 120 degree, hull mounted, 12 kHz transducer system. It produces both bathymetry, depth and cross-track distance, and side-scan imagery. Its data are archived on the shipboard scientific computer system and are displayed in real-time on various devices. These include a 12" continuous feed multiple pen plotter for the along track swath display, an EDO digital recorder for side-scan and center-beam displays, CRT displays of side-scan and bathymetry, and contours overlaid over the ship's track on the real-time DR plotter. Post-processing programs are available to produce charts aboard ship.

SEAWATER - There are bibs for seawater wash down at various points on the weather decks. Checking with the deck watch officer is appropriate before hooking up and using any hoses.

SHEAVES & BLOCKS - Use of various winches and wires implies use of certain combinations of sheaves and blocks. In addition, your scientific operation may have particular requirements for fairleading wires to certain locations, etc. Be sure to check with the resident technician well in advance to explain all your wire rigging ideas and needs. Never use a sheave that is too small in diameter for the wire.

SHIPPING - Limited stowage on board R/V Melville often necessitates shipping equipment and samples. Commercial containers are arranged by the Resident Technician Group. Shipments can be made to the ship's agent in ports other than San Diego; contact Marine Facilities for the agent's addresses. Agents charge for every service they provide. Please try to consolidate dealings with the agent through either the captain or the resident technician. Agents should be advised by telegram of waybill numbers so they can arrange for transportation, storage and customs. Registering of equipment with U.S. Customs (Form 4455) before shipping outside the U.S. makes return shipping possible.

SEISMIC REFLECTION - (See Section V. Technical Services and Special Equipment)

STERN RAMP - This may be utilized in the handling of large nets, deployment of arrays, etc. The entire ramp is decked over, when not in use, flush with fantail, by removable, steel plate. It is also closed across the transom opening by metal plates, to prevent seas from coming up on deck. The boards and steel plate are not safe to remove at sea. Use of the ramp for research programs should be worked out well in advance with the marine superintendent, the captain and the resident technician.

STORAGE - There is one space available for scientific storage: the lower science hold. It is approximately 475 sq ft, accessible from the cargo trunk 5' x 5' opening from the 02 level. The cargo trunk has 3' x 5' openings at each deck level. Lab gas storage is on the fantail, in portable racks for (6) bottles/rack (nitrogen, etc.). Other chemicals, e.g. formaldehyde, alcohol, acids, etc., have no permanent facility and storage must be arranged on an item by item basis with the resident technician. The captain must be apprised in detail of all substances of a hazardous nature; this includes any materials considered toxic, noxious, flammable or explosive.

SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT - On board R/V Melville the resident technician maintains a tool box from which the scientific party can borrow tools. Return of all tools is a must. In addition, the resident technicians maintain a stock of office supplies from which scientific parties can draw. Both the tool collection and the office supply stock are modest and limited to commonly used items. It is not possible to stock everything anyone might conceivably wish to have at sea. Researchers anticipating the use of, for example, an extensive inventory of chemical lab equipment, should consult with the resident technician and plan to supply most of their own needs. Stocking of the ship prior to the beginning of an expedition is done with the expectation of more or less steady use of the items stocked and, it is hoped, in sufficient quantity to forestall the need to re-equip in overseas ports--an unsatisfactory experience in almost every instance. A list of inventoried supplies is available from the resident technician upon request. Local purchase of extra quantities of particular items can be arranged through him and should be done as far in advance of departure as possible. Supplies purchased will be recharged to the account of the requestor. The ship does not carry a standard suite of analytical or special use equipment. The planned use of equipment such as water sampling bottles, reversing thermometers, box corers, bottom trawls, centrifuges, ovens, or any darkroom equipment should be indicated on the Ship Time Request Form, and should be checked in consultation with the resident technician well in advance (See also Section V. Technical Services and Special Equipment)

UNCONTAMINATED SEAWATER - Uncontaminated seawater is provided via a pump in the bow dome at 50 gal/minute. All internal piping is stainless steel and pvc and there is no holding tank for this water. There are 3 outlets in the main lab, 2 in the forward and after hangars.

VANS - Melville can carry multiple laboratory, refrigeration, and berthing vans. Plans to use any vans should be indicated on the Ship Time Request Form and details should be discussed with the resident technician well in advance of departure.

WINCHES - The ship is normally outfitted with three winches: Hydro, CTD and a trawl. A Northern line traction-drum winch with dual storage drums. Normally 12,800 m of 9/16" 3 x 19 dredge trawl wire is on one storage drum and 10,000 m of 0.680" electromechanical cable on the other. It is fed over aft or side A-frame. A small Northern Line hydrographic winch carries 7,600 m of 1/4" 3 x 19 wire. This winch is lead over the side amidships via a hydraulically operated J-frame. Melville is also equipped with a small winch utilized for the towed magnetometer. A Markey DESH-6 CTD winch carries 10,000 m of 0.322" three-conductor electromechanical CTD cable on Lebus grooving. It is fed over the side via the side A-frame.

WIND & SPEED DIRECTION INDICATORS - (See Masts)

WIRE - A log is maintained by the chief engineer documenting the actual wire on each winch at any given time. The working end of every wire is occasionally cut off and the termination replaced, and this can sometimes amount to 100 meters or more, if damage has been sustained by the wire. It is important that expected water depths of planned operations be made known to the resident technicians and the marine superintendent as far in advance of these operations as possible, to ensure that adequate wire is available. Lead times on the purchase of new wires can amount to a year.

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Section V. Technical Services and Special Equipment