The sophisticated steering skills of the R/V Mirai are needed considering the situation of waves, currents, and winds when we do CTD and TurboMAP on the right side of the vessel. Mate Nunome (left) communicates with the crew and operator of the observations by radio. Captain Akutagawa (right) correctly judges and softly steers.
The R/V Mirai has stayed for more than 20 days but she is easy to be affected by waves, currents, and winds when her speed is slow. Then, various steering skills are necessary depending on any situations. When we do radiosonde, her heading direction should be changed so that winds blow from the left side and balloon goes away to the right side. When we do CTD and TurboMAP just after the radiosonde, her heading direction should be changed to the opposite so that she is moved by winds away from the sensor cable to avoid troubles under the vessel.
Now you see, R/V Mirai is always moving around the same location and all observations, which need various vessel’s conditions, are safely realized without a break. Now, that’s what Motesaku wants to call such comprehensive but invisible skills “state of the art.” Such skills consist of so many operations, reports, and judgements.
The R/V Mirai changes her heading direction for observations and there is few chances that sunset is on her heading direction. I want to say something for this moment.
“What a artistic!”
Motesaku
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