Resources

RRS James Clark Ross JR19911210 (JR01_91)

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS James Clark Ross (74JC)
Cruise identifierJR19911210 (JR01_91)
Cruise period1991-12-20 — 1992-01-10
StatusCompleted
Port of departureStanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Port of returnStanley, Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesACCLAIM: Sea level measurements in the Scotia sea and Drake Passage.

Part of the ACCLAIM project is to provide real time data from a network of sea level stations in the Southern Ocean as a contribution to the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE). The associated research work at POL is an integral part of the many other UK contributions to Core 2, the Southern Ocean component of WOCE, and interacts with international work from the United States, South Africa, Australia, France and Germany. The principal objective is to study variations in the flow of the ACC (Antarctiv Circumpolar Current) on large time and space scales, but the ACCLAIM network is also a component of GLOSS, providing sea level data which has improved knowledge of tidal behaviour in this remote area.

ACCLAIM BPR's have been in place east of the Drake Passage between Port Stanley and Signy Island since 1988 and these were recovered and redeployed in 1989 and 1990.

POL Cruise Objectives:
1. To deploy two combined BPR/IES in between Port Stanley and Faraday.
2. To put new SLR equipment ashore at Faraday base and get the electronic instrumentation operational. Install a Data Collection Platform (DCP) and antenna to test a satellite data telemetry link and give installation instructions to base personnel responible for the SLR.
3. To install DORIS (Doppler Orbitography and Radio-positioning Integrated by Satellite) satellite beacon at Rothera and to make this operational. Level in the antenna to a local bench mark and photopgraphy the installation. Survey the Rothera base for the possible installation of a POL SLP and telemetry link.
4. To service the SLR and Signy base and recover the data logger tape. Install new software in the Tidata logger and fit new a DCP transmitter battery to try and improve power output to the satellite. Check barometric and temperature readings against a standard instrument and make sea level measurements as time allows.
5. To recover and redeploy the two BPRs en route from Signy to Port Stanley. Tapes need to be recovered from the instruments and all batteries changed for new ones. Attach radio beacons prior to redeployment.
6. To service the Tidata SLR at Port Stanley and take barometric and temperature readings. Measure sea level directly with a tide staff and inspect and repair the mechanical installation as necessary.
Chief scientistPeter R Foden (Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory)
ProjectACCLAIM Antarctic Circumpolar Current Levels from Altimetry and Island Measurements
Cruise reportRRS James Clark Ross JR19911210 (JR01_91) cruise report jr14_91.pdf (0.91 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralSouth West Atlantic Ocean (limit 20W)
SpecificScotia Sea and Drake Passage
Track chartsRRS James Clark Ross JR19911210 (JR01_91) cruise track — jr1_91track.pdf (0.05 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Sea level (inc. bot. press., inverted echosounder)Quantity: number of deployments = 1
Description: BPR/IES were released throughout the cruise.
Geology and geophysics 
Single-beam echosoundingDescription: An echo sounder was deployed at various stages throughout the cruise. No. of deployments not noted.