CINEMar/Open Ocean Aquaculture Annual Progress Report for the period 1/01/05 through 12/31/05

Principal Investigator: Michael Chambers

I. Accomplishments

A. Scheduled Tasks
1. Put the R/V Meriel B into service
2. Recover the 1 ton feed buoy
3. Overhaul.25 ton feed buoy
4. Construct the 20 ton feed buoy
5. Decommission the R/V Blue Fin
6. Renew site permits

B. Progress on Tasks
1. Construction of the R/V Meriel B.
A 50’ aquaculture/research vessel was constructed and delivered by Millennium Marine Inc. in February 2005. The R/V Meriel B has been in service now for 10 months and has proven to be a valuable tool for offshore operations (Figure 1). The vessel’s size, diver friendliness and hydraulic capabilities have allowed the team to conduct major tasks such as harvesting fish at sea, towing cages, setting mussel lines and removing nets. The extensive deck space provides the necessary area to stage diving and deployment activities.

More recently, a deck winch with 6,000 pound lifting capacity was added to the vessel. The winch has become a vital part of operations, enabling the crew to perform many tasks that were previously outsourced at great expense.

Modifications to the vessel over the last year that have enhanced operations include:

Hydraulics:

1. Three hydraulic pressure washers were moved from the R/V Bluefin and installed in the aft compartment
2. A 180 gal/min hydraulic wash down pump was added for fish feeding and wash down.
3. Two high-pressure filters were added to the outlet side of the hydraulic pumps.
4. A 6000 lb. deck winch with a capstan head was installed.
5. Mussel tending gear (starwheels) were installed

Electronics:

1. A loud hailing system for communications from the wheelhouse to the deck was installed.
2. A video fish monitoring system was installed
3. A diver communications system was installed

General Modifications that were added:

1. An aluminum transom railing
2. Deck cleats and chocks
3. The aft fish hold was converted to a live fish hold
4. A fresh water wash down pump was installed

2. 1 ton feed buoy recovery
The one-ton capacity feed buoy sank in sever winter storm in late December 2004. Divers located the buoy on the bottom, directly below it’s moored position. They were able to make a rudimentary inspection and attach lines to the hull. Due to the buoy’s gross weight (8.5 tons), a large vessel was needed for recovery. The US Coast Guard buoy tender Marcus Hannah was contacted and agreed to assist with the recovery.

Scheduling the Marcus Hannah was difficult, and several planned dates were cancelled due to weather. In August 2005 weather was clear and the vessel available. Using the lines attached to the buoy, the Marcus Hannah was able to lift the buoy to the surface using their main deck winch and fairleads usually used for mooring retrieval. Once the buoy was at the surface and partially drained of water it was placed on deck using the deck crane. The Marcus Hannah then delivered the buoy to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for forensic analysis and disassembly (Figure 2).

After a brief survey it was apparent that the failing point was a welded joint that held the rotary airlock (feed dosing mechanism)/mixing chamber to the feed silo. In the heavy seas t the weight of the airlock and mixing chamber combined with the buoy’s violent movement stressed the weld to the point of failure. When the airlock/mixing chamber broke free the PVC feed pipe extending from the buoy’s floor snapped off below the water line, allowing water to flow freely into the buoy. At the same time this was occurring, the feed in the silo, not being held back by the rotary airlock, poured onto the floor and into the sub floor bilge area clogging the bilge pump. This prevented the pump from working properly and pumping out the incoming water from the broken feed pipe. It should be noted, however, that the bilge pump system was never designed to handle such a large flow of water. Several buoy components survived the long submersion. The mooring system lines and shackles were all in good condition. The feed hose connecting the buoy to the cage was also salvaged. Many of the cables and connectors were still in very good condition. Internally, several pieces were in good condition, most notably, the mixing chamber and the pressure cylinder holding the master control computer, the telemetry radio, and various other electronic controls.

3. .25 ton feed buoy overhaul
In February of 2005, the .25-ton feed buoy was towed in from the site for overhaul (Figure 3). The buoy had successfully fed the haddock cage for just over two years with only minor maintenance issues. The feeder was disassembled and all mechanical parts were inspected. The electronics were also thoroughly inspected. A faulty GPS was replaced, new batteries were installed, and many of the wire connectors were replaced. In addition, upgrades were made to the buoy control software that will allow for better monitoring and control of the feeding process. Users can now interrupt a feeding event if a problem is detected instead of cycling through the entire process. A new bilge pump was installed and the feed pump was re-wired. Several structural parts of the buoy needed welding; steel pad eyes were fabricated for attaching the mooring lines where the lines, previously shackled to the buoy’s aluminum substructure, had worn through. The entire structure was repainted and outfitted with new zinc anodes pending deployment. The buoy, when needed, can be deployed after shore-side assembly and a short in-water checkout.

4. Construction and testing of the 20 ton feed buoy.
UNH has been developing feed buoys for open ocean aquaculture for four years. The latest design for a 20-ton feed buoy has been under development for two years through a NOAA SBIR grant with Net Systems. The bid for construction was initially issued in 10th of June 2005. Only two companies responded to the bid offer their estimates were far more than the resources available, so the bidding process was closed without resolution. Contact was made with several other potential builders and bids were reissued in December 2005. Construction is planned for January 2006.

5. Decommission the R/V Blue Fin.
With the arrival of the 50’ R/V Meriel B, the Bluefin was no longer needed for dive operations and was decommissioned in the spring of 2005. The vessel is currently on blocks and is listed for sale by the University (Figure 3).

6. Renewal of site permit
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Aquaculture permit #2005-04 was renewed for 2005. The permit now allows for the sales of fish from the experimental farm.

C. Important Results or Findings
The appropriate service equipment, staging area and operational staff has enabled are essential for carrying out a complex and challenging project. Much of the equipment has to be custom built to meet the specific needs and goals of the project. These developing technologies are always under improvement and play an important part in daily operations.

D. Difficulties Encountered
The sinking of the 1-ton feed buoy was a major setback for the project. Loss of automated feeding capabilities slowed the growth of the cod and loss of electrical supply delayed the fish tracking research. Weather also resulted in an altered schedule for accomplishing tasks

E. Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives on Schedule
We anticipate that all objectives will be met, however, the timeline for completion will need to be adjusted.

F. Reports, manuscripts, and presentations resulting from the project
Please see section I. F. of Project Management and Operations.

II. Tasks and Activities for Next Reporting period

A. Tasks for the next reporting period

1. Establish a temporary shorside operations base
2. Maintenance and scheduling of the R/V Meriel B
3. Re-deploy the .25 ton feed buoy in the spring of 2006
4. Construct, deploy and test the 20 ton feed buoy
5. Renew of site permit

B. Brief work plan to accomplish tasks
1. New Pier Construction. The Coastal Marine Lab (CML) pier is scheduled for demolition and reconstruction in the spring / summer of 2006. The time period for pier removal and construction will be approximately 10 months. The CML pier is the main base for the projects operations and R/V Meriel B. A temporary base will be established to accommodate the tasks planned for next year. Potential locations that will be considered are the Port Authority or the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

2. R/V Meriel B. The vessel will continue to be the primary tool for operations and site support, therefore, upkeep of the vessel will be paramount.

3. .25 ton feed buoy. The refurbished 0.25-ton feed buoy will be deployed in the spring of 2005

4. Construct, deploy and test the 20 ton feed buoy. A bid for construction was reissued in December 2005 with an award date set for mid January 2006. Fabrication, delivery and final testing of the buoy should be completed by early summer of 2006.

5. Renewal of site permits. The New Hampshire Fish and Game permit will be renewed for 2006.

C. Anticipated concerns or difficulties
Relocating the base of operations for the project will be difficult and time consuming. This includes moving storage containers, fish pens, harvesting equipment, refrigerated feed container, forklift and the project vessel. In addition, increased travel time to and from the site will boost fuel costs and make for a longer workday.

III. Expenditures
Expenditures were consistent with what was anticipated for the reporting period.