Operations
Research Vessel Falkor supports the following operations:
![aft-working-deck-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/aft-working-deck-thumb.jpg)
Over-the-Side Deployments
- Deployments over the port side with a 31kN SWL J-Frame
- Two articulating knuckle boom cranes provide at least 2 metric ton weight lifting coverage across all the Aft Deck (model HIAB Sea Crane 301-4 and HIAB Sea Crane 121-2)
- Deployments of equipment and recovery of samples and instruments with elevator / lander platforms
- Schmidt Ocean Institute owns and operates one elevator / lander platform depth rated to 11,000 meters
![over-the-side-deployments-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/over-the-side-deployments-thumb.jpg)
Aft Working Deck Operations
- 500 kW of unregulated electrical power from a dedicated 3-phase, 50 Hz, 395 VAC generator
- Additional equipment mounted to the Aft Deck and Staging Bay deck surfaces using a 2 foot x 2 foot bolt pattern
- North American electrical power outlets (100 kVA total)
- European electrical outlets (unregulated plus up to 25 kVA clean power)
- Hot and cold fresh water outlets
- Incubator sea water outlets
- Compressed air outlets
CTD/Hydro Winch Operations
- 10,000 meters of 0.322” EM coax wire or 9,000 meters 3/8” 3×19 mechanical trawl wire
- Flag block that allows routing the cable to either J-Frame or A-Frame
- Deployments over the stern with a 88kN SWL A-Frame using the embedded single drum MacArtney MASH CTD Oceanographic Winch (Type 10000/8,2-31-RA)* or add-on mission-specific winches
- MacArtney MASH CTD Oceanographic Winch has a 31kN max pull at the top layer and 53kN max pull at the bottom layer
![subastian-seatrials-20160720-5255 Michael Utley, bosun, helps position ROV SuBastian on deck after a recovery.](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/SuBastian-SeaTrials-20160720-5255-1-1112x695.jpg)
ROV SuBastian (4500m ROV)
Our underwater robotic research program includes the design and development of a 4500m robotic vehicles with research capabilities for use on research vessel Falkor. The ROV is outfitted with a suite of sensors and scientific equipment to support scientific data and sample collection, as well as interactive research, experimentation, and technology development.
Full Specifications
![demployment-of-light-packages-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/demployment-of-light-packages-thumb.jpg)
Deployments of Light Packages, Profilers and ROV (SAAB Sea Eye Falcon)
- Starboard Launching Bay on the Main Deck
- 17.7 square meter open deck space
- Adjacent articulating knuckle boom crane (model HIAB 301-4) on the Winch Deck over the Starboard Launching Bay
- CTD is launched from here with a dedicated LARS
![wet-laboratory-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/wet-laboratory-thumb.jpg)
Wet Laboratory Work
32 square meter Wet Lab on the Main Deck equipped with:
- -80°C, -30°C, and +4°C freezer
- Flammable, acid/base hazardous materials locker
- Flammable gas piping, compressed air outlets, fume hood
- Freshwater taps (hot and cold), incubated and uncontaminated saltwater
- North American electrical power outlets (all clean power, up to 100 kVA total)
- 120 VAC 60 Hz
- 208 VAC 60 Hz
- European electrical power outlets (unregulated plus up to 25 kVA clean power)
- 240 VAC 50 Hz 230V
- 400 VAC 50 Hz
- Customizable screen with a variety of data feeds
![FK150324 CoorRob Drylab 4573](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/FK150324-CoorRob-Drylab-4573.jpg)
Dry Laboratory Work
Dry Lab area on the Main Deck equipped with:
- 28 square meter Science Control Room for sonar and ROV operations
- 26 square meter Lab / Office Space
- Compressed air outlets
- Variety of work stations and computer racks including wireless scan/copy printer, plotter for maps
- American, European, and Ethernet outlets, 208V, 60 Hz, 20A; 395V, 50 Hz, 32A; 480V, 60 Hz, 50A
- Customizable screen with a variety of data feeds
![dynamic-positioning-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/dynamic-positioning-thumb.jpg)
Dynamic Positioning
- Able to maintain position over a given location (some limitations).
![staging-bay-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/staging-bay-thumb.jpg)
Weather Protected Instrument Staging Bay
- Located on the main deck and is accessible from the back deck via an oversize roll-up door.
- Climate controlled
- North American electrical power available (110v, 1~, 60Hz)
- European electrical power available (220v, 1~, 50Hz)
- Compressed air available
![observation-deck-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/observation-deck-thumb.jpg)
Mammal and Bird Observation
- Open air Observation Deck above Falkor’s Bridge.
![workboat-operations-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/workboat-operations-thumb.jpg)
Workboat Operations
- 6.3 meter aluminum hull 350 HP inboard motor jet-drive SAFE Boats workboat supported by a dedicated heave compensating launch davit.
- 4.6 meter inflatable 60 HP outboard motor Zodiac workboat
![ControlRoom](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/ControlRoom.jpg)
Control Room
- Used for ROV/AUV control, electronic instrumentation interaction, sonar control and sea bottom mapping
- Primary work area has four captain’s chairs with over 20 monitors that can be custom configured to control one or more systems at a time
- Two additional desks provide work space for scientists with available monitors and/or act as a multibeam editing workstation
- Adjacent free rack space in the dry lab allows science parties to bring their own computers and equipment and integrate it with the control room resources
![outreach-and-operations](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/outreach-and-operations.jpg)
Outreach and Operations Requiring Continuous Global Internet Access
Internet Specifications:
- VSAT System, dual tracking antennas
- Seatel 97 series
- C Band
Video Router & Streaming Specifications:
- 64 port HD digital matrix system enabling video routing from 64 input sources to 64 outputs
- Internal streaming to Android and iOS devices
- Modulation over Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) to any TV monitor or projector on Falkor
- Customizable layout for all outputs depending on cruise objectives
- Two encoders for live streaming from any of the video router sources
- Conference / Library Room to broadcast presentation and support for video conference calls
Science Systems
Falkor supports the following science systems:
![scientific-echosounders-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/scientific-echosounders-thumb.jpg)
Scientific Echosounders
- 8000 meter deep water multi-beam echo sounder – Kongsberg EM 302 1×1 degree
- 2000 meter shallow water multi-beam echo sounder – Kongsberg EM 710 0.5×1
- Falkor Multibeam Echosounder System Review is available for review at the UNOLS Multibeam Advisory Committee website
- Single beam echosounder – Kongsberg EA 600, 12/38/120/200 kHz
- Fishery research echosounder – Simrad EK60, 18/38/70/120/200/710 kHz
- Fishery detection sonar – Simrad SH90, high definition omnidirectional, 114 kHz
- Sub-bottom profiling – Knudsen CHIRP 3260, 12kHz
- Water current velocity – -Teledyne Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Ocean Surveyor, 75 kHz
- Water current velocity -Teledyne Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Workhorse Mariner , 300 kHz
![subsea-acoustic-positioning-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/subsea-acoustic-positioning-thumb.jpg)
Subsea Acoustic Positioning System
- Sonardyne Ranger 2 Ultra-Short Base Line (USBL) acoustic positioning system
- Transceiver unit fits on a deployable through-hull pole via a 340mm opening gate valve
- HPT 5000 transceiver with 5000m depth rating
- Four WSM6 beacons with 4000m depth rating
![CDT-LARS_tech](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/CDT-LARS_tech.jpg)
CTD and Water Sampling System Rosette
- 24 position SBE32 Carousel Water Sampler with 12-liter Niskin Bottles
- CTD SBE 9 Plus CTD with dual C-T sensors
- Benthos Altimeter PSA-916
- Biospherical QSP-2350L PAR
- SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen
- Wet Labs C-Star Transmissometer
- Wet Labs ECO-FLNTU
- Valeport Altimeter
![underway-water-characterization-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/underway-water-characterization-thumb.jpg)
Underway Water Characterization
- Flow-through thermosalinograph (model SBE45)
- Oceanographic thermometer mounted at seawater intake (model SBE 38)
- Fluorometer measuring fluorescence from chlorophyll-a (model WET Labs ECO-FLS)
- Sound velocity sensor (model Valeport miniSVS)
- AFT-pH pH sensor (Based on Sunburst Sensors’ winning design of Wendy Schmidt Ocean Health XPRIZE)
![aerial-observation-platform-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/aerial-observation-platform-thumb.jpg)
Aerial Observation Platform
- Blimp radio controlled, 4m length, 1000m range, 20 minute endurance at 20 kts
- Quad H20, takeoff weight 1.6kg; max additional payload 800g; 10 -15 min flight time
- Video downlink, video monitoring equipment
![remotely-operated-vehicle-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/remotely-operated-vehicle-thumb.jpg)
Remotely Operated Vehicle
- SAAB SeaEye Falcon, 300m depth rating
- High definition camera
- Single 5-function hydraulic manipulator arm
- Hand winch spooled with 600m of protected fiber tether
![magnetometer-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/magnetometer-thumb.jpg)
Magnetometer
- Marine Magnetics SeaSPY2 for geo magnetics use
- 300m of umbilical tow cable
![elevator-lander-platform-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/elevator-lander-platform-thumb.jpg)
Elevator / Lander Platform
- Platform 11,000m depth rated (built by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
- Stored at shoreside facility
![high-performance-cloud-computing-thumb](https://schmidtocean.org/wp-content/uploads/high-performance-cloud-computing-thumb.jpg)
High Performance Cloud Computing System
- Maximum CPU cores: 60
- Maximum cores per virtual machine: 12
- Total RAM: 2.56TB
- Maximum RAM per virtual machine: 512GB
- Data storage:
- Internal: 78TB (redundant, system architecture dependent)
- External NetApp via 10 Gbps LAN: 117TB (redundant)
- Operating Systems: any required