Improvement of Intermediate Oceanographic Winches

The following is a report on the findings of a study conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to assess the needs and the means for improving the conventional intermediate winches used in the oceanographic community to lower profiling instruments (CTD for example). Eight major U.S. oceanographic centers were visited to confirm community needs and common problem areas, and to survey existing lowering equipment and techniques. This information was used to develop a set of general requirements for an improved lowering system. Recommended improvements included: compensation of wave induced motion, automation of casts, and capability for automatic tracking of oceanographic parameters. A review is presented of additions or modifications which could meet these requirements. These options are compared and the system which offers the best potential for scientific usefulness, ease of fleet implementation and/or retrofitting of existing equipment is described at the conceptual and general specifications level. A plan for the design procurement, test and demonstrations of a working prototype concludes the study. Keywords include: Servocontrolled and motion compensation.