Category Archives: Technology

Juan de Fuca CODAR System – Race Rocks (VROC) – Oceanographic Radar System

Posted on by

CODAR antenna at Race Rocks

Click on this image for the data display on the Ocean Networks Canada website:

CODAR SeaSonde continuous surface current mapping and wave monitoring HF radar system.

This is taken from this page: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L22/current/TOOL1366/

http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/L22/current/TOOL1366/
SeaVoX Device Catalogue
Preferred Label CODAR SeaSonde continuous surface current mapping and wave monitoring HF radar system
Definition A high-frequency radar system designed for fixed deployment on the shore or on offshore structures. It measures continuous sea-surface current velocities and wavefield conditions such as significant wave height, dominant on-shore direction and dominant wave period. The CODAR SeaSonde transmits radio waves, receives Doppler-shifted reflected signals and processes the resulting data into radial ocean current velocities. The data from two or more radial stations can be combined into total velocities, i.e. ocean currents resolved into their N-S and E-W components. Total velocities are available only in regions of overlap with other stations. For wave measurements, the SeaSonde works on the principal of Bragg scattering; radial stations detect radar backscatter from ocean waves with wavelengths one-half the radar wavelength. The radar system is available in three configurations: Standard, Hi-Res and Long-Range. The SeaSonde’s spatial range varies from 15 – 220 km (dependent on the configuration), and offers 360 degrees coverage. The angular resolution is a 1-5 degree grid and is user selectable. Significant wave height accuracy is 7-15 percent, dominant on-shore direction accuracy is 5-12 degrees, wave period accuracy is 0.6 s, current accuracy is typically <7 percent of the total current velocity.

A hub of research activity at Race Rocks today.

Posted on by

A lot of activity was going on today in the reserve.  Guy drove out myself and Laura Verhegge and several others to attend to equipment  at Race Rocks. Already there was a crew with Kevin of Oceans Network Canada who were reinstalling the CODAR sea surface monitor. This was last commented on in a log on  September 28 Also accompanying us was Ed Weibe, of the UVic School of Earth and Ocean Sciences — EOS 110 Labs Vancouver Island School-Based Weather Station Network http://victoriaweather.ca , who monitors the  Davis weather station for our weather page on this site and the UVic Schools  Weather program.  He was there to change the humidity sensor and check on the equipment.  Lucinda Leonard was along to take down the GPS earthquake monitoring equipment after its successful deployment for the past week.  (See the May 10 log)

 

The other activity going on was the installation of a CODAR  monitor by the crew with Kevin from Oceans Network Canada.

The effects of Vessel Underwater Noise on whales

Posted on by

Currently Mike Fenger and I are representing the Board of the Friends of Ecological Reserves as Intervenors in the New round of Reconsideration Hearings  of the National Energy Board on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Proposal . You can follow this process with its daily updates from participants at https://apps.neb-one.gc.ca/REGDOCS/Item/View/3614457

Since one of the aspects ordered by the Review Panel is the state of the Southern resident Killer whales one of the most disturbing piece of evidence of their plight comes  I have come across is contained in this audio clip:

This audio clip comes from the following image posted in the NEB records:

A95280-effects-of-uw-noise-and-what-mariners-can-do-A6J6G4

 

CODAR installation for Race Rocks

Posted on by

Juan de Fuca _CODAR_backgrounder

Today Guy drove me out to Race Rocks with Kevin Bartlett, Marine Equipment, Specialist with Ocean Networks Canada. They had installed equipment earlier in the year but had ro change the frequency of broadcasting before it is operational. Kevin was making repairs, one being fixing the conduit at the base of the tower which had been disturbed by sealions. When this equipment is fully operational it will give acurate current vectors for the eastern entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

 

 

Sample from a similar station now  in operation:

 see animation here

 

 

 

It was has been noticeable this year that instead of hauling out on the neighbouring islets of the Race Rocks Archipelago, the sealions are hauled out entirely on the main island of Great Race Rock. They have heavily impacted the vegetated areas .

ER Wardens Report, Sept.21

Posted on by

Today, Guy Ouradou from Pearson College drove me out to Race Rocks Ecological reserve with David Obura, Pearson College alumni from Kenya year 10. The main change since I was there last was the predominance of California sea lions over most of the island. Northern sealions occupied a small portion of rock near the docks and the isthmus below the light tower. Each year the college has to put up an electric fence to prevent the sealions from invading the centre of the island which can result in damage to conduits, and facilities.

Laas adjusts the electric fence on the south side of the house.

A new fence system is being installed this year, which has so far proven to be very effective. Another aspect of the sealions being on the centre part of the island is that they have been damaging the structure of the rocks arranged in the areas of the aboriginal burial cairns. The big change in sealion distribution is that previously they have concentrated on West Race Rocks, North Race Rocks and the south Islands off the tower. This year there are none out on those islands  and they are all on the main island.

 

CODAR antenna and sealions

I also was able to observe the equipment installed by Oceans Network Canada for CODAR. Hopefully we can get a connection to the output of the data obtained from this equipment when we neet with Kevin Bartlett from Ocean Networks Canada next week on Sept 28.

Earlier this year, Lester Pearson College upgraded the solar batteries which have served for the past 11 years. New inverters were also installed.

Leaving the island we have to deal with a dock full of sealions which have returned since our arrival.

Another Sunrise-to-Sunset

Posted on by

Weather

  • Visibility: 15 miles
  • Wind: 15-20 knots NE, later E
  • Sky: mix of sun and cloud
  • Water: 1′ chop

Ecological

  • 4 elephant seals on Great Race

Maintenance

  • Did some fence resetting
  • Had to reset the UPS in the tower at around 19:30
  • The wind speed display in the main house stopped working, it only shows 00.0
  • The one in the tower still works though so the problem is not with the tower instruments

Boats

  • A few eco-tours today

A Strong Breeze

Posted on by

Weather

  • Visibility: 15 miles with occasional fog interludes
  • Wind: 20-25 knots NE, later down to 15
  • Sky: showers
  • Water: choppy, especially in Middle Channel where waves and current collided.
  • The foghorn went off for a minute or so in the afternoon.

choppy-26-10

Ecological

  • Still lots of sea lions on and around the jetty.
  • Lots of Canada Geese on the island.

Maintenance

  • Yesterday at 21:30 the windspeed display showed 00.0 despite clear wind.
  • It started working again sometime in the early morning.
  • The usual chores.

Boats

  • A few eco-tours came by in the afternoon.
  • One of them was here when the foghorn went off.

hark-a-boat-26-10

Back Online

Posted on by

Saturday evening as the storm was subsiding, the communication lines went dead out here at Race Rocks. After trying all the normal fixes on my side, I was informed via cellphone that the problem lay at Pearson College. The College had lost power from some internal breakdown, and so no internet or phone line was being sent my way over the air. Once things were up and running again this morning, I was able to reestablish connection to the internet and phone lines.

Rather than submitting a log entry for each missed day, I will simply provide a summary of each day’s main events. And pictures as always!

Saturday 15 October 2016-Fierce Storm

  • Day began at 7:00 with winds of 15-20 knots NE.
  • 9:45 30 knots East
  • 13:00 35 knots East
  • 13:30 45 knots East
  • 14:30 50~ knots East!
  • 15:20 45 knots East, communications down.
  • 16:50 communications returned.
  • 17:00 30 knots East
  • Around 18:30 communications down for good.
  • 19:00 15 knots West
  • 20:30 30 knots South-West
  • One month remaining in my shift.

Sunday 16 October 2016-Pelican

  • 7:00 Weather
  • Visibility: 15 miles
  • Wind: 10-15 knots East
  • Sky: overcast
  • Water: 1′ chop
  • Saw a single brown pelican today!
  • Failed to get a picture though.
  • Branded California sea lion 8465.
  • 8 elephant seals on Great Race today.
  • A small group of California sea lions began sleeping on top of the e-seals.
  • To my surprise the elephant seals don’t seem to mind.

Monday 17 October 2016-Peregrine Falcon!

  • 7:00 Weather
  • Visibility: 5 miles
  • Wind: 0-5 knots East
  • Sky: overcast
  • Water: calm
  • In the early evening a pigeon flew into a window, presumably breaking its neck.
  • Immediately a Peregrine falcon swooped down to inspect its prey.
  • I assume the falcon was the reason the pigeon hit the window at such a speed.
  • The falcon then flew way up into the sky, before returning to make off with the meal.

Tuesday 18 October 2016-Bio-mimicry Visitors (and Alex!)

  • 7:00 Weather
  • Visibility: 15 miles
  • Wind: 0 knots
  • Sky: clear
  • Water: calm
  • A rainstorm appeared from about 10:00-12:00.
  • A rather sunny afternoon!
  • Kyle came out with Alex Fletcher and a biology group.
  • The 6 visitors were studying bio-mimicry.
  • How can humans improve our technology by copying successful animals?
  • The organization that they are involved with is one of our donors.
  • They were very interested in the sea lions, seals, and birds.
  • 11 elephant seals on Great Race.
  • Saw 3 brown pelicans; this time got a photo!

Camera 5 back on line

Posted on by

After a period of being down, our IT specialist at Lester Pearson College,  Maxim  Wieser has been able to restore Camera 5 to operation.  Now the only problem is keeping it clean, and that is no easy task as seagulls like to hover above it…….cam5a

https://www.racerocks.ca/video-cameras/camera-5-race-rocks/

 

Please read carefully the directions to control the camera on that page :

“Please close this screen in your browser after watching. The bandwidth used is very high so more viewers will be able to use the site if it is not streaming to your computer when you are not watching. If no one else is waiting, you can renew your view after two minutes.  

Directions for Control: Press the lower right square cross icon to gain control for 2 minutes at a time .  (You can regain control if no one else is trying to control the camera by clicking on the bi-directional arrow icon at the top.) Click directly on the image to change positions or on the panorama image below.  Use the vertical bar to zoom. At the top middle click on 320×240 down arrow and select 640×480.  If you see a “camera is busy sign”, this is because the maximum number of users has been reached. Wait a few minutes and try again. When not in control by a viewer, the camera will automatically move to pause 30 seconds at the 20 different presets.”