Author: Eric Attias

Today we finalized the assembling of the CSEM system, mobilized and integrated the G-882 magnetometer system with the Hypack navigation system and the MagLog data logging software. We also mobilized and tested the Boston Whaler chase boat, which is owned and operated by the Natural Energy Laboratory. The role of the chase boat is to clear our survey track and to prevent fishing boats from crossing between the Huki Pono survey boat and the end of our Porpoise array (1 km in length).

Tomorrow we plan to calibrate the multi-beam system and hopefully start the survey, depending on weather conditions as it is quite windy, due to hurricane Olivia that currently passes nearby the Island.

Today we mobilized and set up the CSEM and multi-beam systems onboard the Huki Pono survey boat. We tested the two CSEM transmitters (Main unit: 150 Amp output current; Spare unit: 50 Amp output current) with a dummy-load, and they both operate as expected. The multi-beam head was adjusted to the ideal depth of transmission and tested successfully. After all, we had a pretty good first day, as team members worked together to prepare the boat for the survey. Thank guys for all of your hard work!

Multi-beam transducer in the water.

The Porpoise array winch.

Jason checking out the CSEM transmitter

Tomorrow we have another mobilization day and instrument testing before the survey starts on Friday, September 7th.

The Huki Pono marine survey boat operated by Sea Engineering Inc. has arrived safely today to the Honokohau harbor at Kona after 1.5 days of transit from Honolulu. The Huki Pono is a 43-foot twin screw survey boat, equipped with a Trimble SPS461 GPS, MarineStar satellite-based augmentation (SBAS) and Hypack survey software for high-precision navigation.

We are in our final preparations for this marine CSEM survey that will start on September 6th and run until September 16th. This 2nd generation design of the Porpoise receivers will be used for the first time in this project.