DMO Wirewalker User manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE 4
ABOUT THIS MANUAL 4
FEEDBACK 4
MANUAL REVISIONS 4
INTRODUCTION 5
SYSTEM COMPONENTS 7
SURFACE BUOY 7
PROFILING WIRE 7
WIREWALKER PROFILER 7
DOWNWEIGHT 7
SUMMARY OF SPECIFICATIONS 8
PROJECT CUSTOMIZATION NOTE 8
PRE-DEPLOYMENT SET-UP 9
ANATOMY OF THE WIREWALKER PROFILER 9
REMOVING THE COWLINGS 9
AFFIX PROFILER TO THE WIRE ROPE 10
BALLASTING 12
GOALS 12
CONSIDERATIONS 12
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT 13
PROCEDURE 13
DEPLOYMENT 15
EQUIPMENT 15
POSITIONS TENDED 15
DEPLOYMENT PROCESS 16
RETRIEVAL 19
EQUIPMENT 19
POSITIONS TENDED 19
RETRIEVAL PROCESS 19
SUPPORT 22
CUSTOMER SERVICE 22
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES 22
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 2
REPAIRS 22
CONTACT US 22
DISCLAIMER 22
REFERENCES 23
APPENDICES 23
GLOSSARY 23
MANUAL LINKS FOR COMMONLY INTEGRATED PAYLOADS 24
SUPPORTING TECHNICAL NOTES 24
RECOMMENDED WIREWALKER TOOLS AND SPARES KIT 25
HAMMERHEAD TERMINATION ASSEMBLY GUIDE 26
PAYLOAD BALLASTING CONSIDERATIONS 28
PRINCIPLES OF WIREWALKER MOORING DESIGN 29
RBR LOGGER END CAP VARIATIONS 30
TURNAROUND BUMPER ASSEMBLY 3 1
WAVE CLIMATE AFFECTS ON PROFILING SPEED 3 2
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 3
1. PREFACE
1.1. ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This manual is designed as a guide to assist users of the Wirewalker
TM
in becoming familiar with the
profiling system and in making wise operational choices. We recognize that each deployment is unique
and that resources, such as vessel size, type, and supporting equipment, are variable. While it’s
impossible to cover all scenarios in this manual, the information contained herein has been proven
effective and is offered as a guide. If you have questions, please reach out to us for more information.
Remember: safety must always be paramount when undertaking sea-going operations, and is the users
responsibility.
The focus here will be on the platform/profiler itself; we recommend users refer to, and become familiar
with, the appropriate instrumentation manuals for operation of the payload and/or sensors that are
integrated onto the platform (see MANUAL LINKS FOR COMMONLY INTEGRATED PAYLOADS ).
Del Mar Oceanographic prides itself in being sensor agnostic and in adding new dimensions to sensors
you’re likely already familiar with. However, not all sensors are ideal for rapid vertical profiling. As a
general rule of thumb, high-quality low-powered sensors with fast sampling and response rates are ideal
for collecting high resolution data. Please carefully consider the sampling parameters of any sensor, and
the sampling goals, before integrating a new sensor onboard the Wirewalker.
At our website, www.delmarocean.com , you will find other supplemental information, including
photographs, that users might find useful when planning a Wirewalker
TM
deployment.
1.2. FEEDBACK
Feedback is always appreciated. If you find errors, omissions, or sections poorly explained, please do not
hesitate to contact us at [email protected] . We appreciate your comments, and your colleagues
will as well.
1.3. MANUAL REVISIONS
v1 Aug 2018 Initial draft
v2 Sept 2019 Minor updates to figures, text, and formatting.
v3 Feb 2020 Formatting updated.
v4 July 2020 Updates to figures, text, and formatting.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 4
2. INTRODUCTION
Del Mar Oceanographic’s Wirewalker
TM
profiling system uses ocean wave energy to drive an instrument
platform (often referred to as the Wirewalker vehicle, or simply “the Wirewalker”) vertically through the
water column. A single suite of user-selected sensors can repeatedly sample over a range of depths,
rather than produce time series at a single location. The Wirewalker is purely mechanical, with batteries
required only to power sensors and communications. It profiles continuously, with wave energy driving
the buoyant profiler downward. On reaching the deepest user specified sampling depth, it free-ascends
along its suspension cable (aka profiling wire), nearly completely decoupled from mooring motion. This
provides an ideal opportunity for precise ocean measurement. The Wirewalker profiling vehicle is
designed to be extremely adaptable, to facilitate the mounting of a wide variety of sensors.
Key requirements for system operation include:
●Waves: Even weak wind-chop on lakes work well. The lack of wave energy is rarely a constraint
at sea, but profiling repeat rates depend on sea-state.
●Free vertical motion of the buoy-wire-weight combination (Figures 1 and 2): Specifically, the
downweight at the end of the profiling wire should not become grounded or the wire slackened
for any other reason.
●Free vertical motion of the profiler: this means that the vehicle must be properly ballasted and
cannot become fouled.
Figure 1: (A) Wirewalker surface float, profiler, cable and downweight, (B) submerged profiler.
Optimal system performance requires proper ballasting. The profiling vehicle must be positively buoyant
with a target up-cast speed of roughly 40 cm/s. As a rule of thumb, the profiling round trip (i.e.
surface/bottom/surface) speed is roughly 1 minute per 10 meters of profiling depth. Thus, profiling to
200 m is sampled about every 20 min.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 5
The Wirewalker profiler has a ratcheting motion on the way down, as it uses the surface waves to propel
the vehicle downwards, but smooth on the way up as shown in Figure 2. The separation of upcast and
downcast is handled in post processing with just the upcast typically used for detailed analysis. However,
data is/can be collected during both upcast and downcast and very useful when looking at mooring
dynamics. The overall principles of operation describing the method of harnessing wave energy through
the reversing cam are not presented here, but interested readers can find further information in the
publications listed in the REFERENCES section.
Figure 2: Profiling cycle of the Wirewalker.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 6
3. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The Wirewalker Profiling System consists of four primary components, each is
addressed individually with a summary of detailed specifications in Section
3.5 . The full system is visualized in Figures 1A and Figure 3.
3.1. SURFACE BUOY
The surface buoy’s primary function is to harvest the energy from the surface
wave field. The surface buoy also acts as a platform for real-time satellite GPS
tracking of the Wirewalker’s position and can be equipped with a real-time
telemetry system via Iridium or GSM. The surface buoy has been designed for
optimal handling and efficient operation in a wide range of wave conditions.
It comes equipped with a flasher (aka strobe) for deployment and recovery
operations.
3.2. PROFILING WIRE
The Wirewalker profiler travels along a 3/16”jacketed profiling wire that links
the surface buoy above, to the downweight below (see Table 3.5, below).
This wire transmits surface wave energy deep into the sea through its
mechanical motion. The length of the wire, along with turnaround bumpers
attached near each end, define the upper and lower limits of the profiling
range. In addition to providing motive power, the jacketed profiling wire also
enables use of an inductive communications link between the moving profiler
and the surface float.
3.3. WIREWALKER PROFILER
The profiling vehicle (the “Wirewalker”) consists of the instrument platform
itself, including the cam mechanism that selectively engages the profiling
wire when descending. The cam mechanism drives the profiler downward,
using wave action, to the end of the profiling wire, at which point the cam
releases, allowing the profiler to float freely up to the surface. The profiler
houses a configurable set of oceanographic sensors as well as a configurable
set of depth rated foam to set the positive buoyancy. Various foam densities
are available and define the depth rating of the profiler (300m-1000m). The
profiler is outfitted with asymmetric cowlings that give it a leading and trailing
edge as they align the profiler body into the current.
3.4. DOWNWEIGHT
The downweight is suspended at the bottom of the jacketed profiling wire,
just below the profiler’s lower turnaround point. Typically, two steel
downweight plates totalling 90 lbs (40kg), is sufficient to ensure that the
profiling wire maintains the tautness needed for proper profiling of the water
column. There are four mounting holes in the plates; these allow the plates
to be linked in series or the holes can be staggered and the plates bolted
together. In areas of high shear and/or currents, additional weight may be
required.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 7
3.5. SUMMARY OF SPECIFICATIONS
SURFACE BUOY
Dimensions
36” Ø x 40“
With 10” Ø well
0.9 m Ø x 1.0 m
With 0.25m Ø well
Buoyancy*
600 lbs
275 kg
Weight*
~135 lbs
~61 kg
Mooring Attachment
½”Shackle
Includes
Solar powered flasher with multiple patterns
Recommended Accessories
Iridium GPS beacon, Real time telemetry system.
PROFILING WIRE
Jacketed Wire Diameter
3/16” nominal Ø
0.255” jacketed OD ± 0.010”
5mm nominal Ø
6.5mm jacketed OD ± 0.25mm
Breaking Strength
4000 lbs
1814 kg
Weight (water)
0.052 lbs/ft
0.0772 kg/m
Terminations
Standard: ½” shackle
Hammerhead: ” shackle
WIREWALKER PROFILER
Dimensions
60” x 26 x 6.5”
152.5 x 66.0 x 16.5 cm
Weight (air, no payload)
~55 lbs
~25 kg
DOWNWEIGHT (x2)
Dimensions
24” x 8“ x ¾”
61 x 20.3 x 2 cm
Weight
45 lbs
20 kg
Mooring Attachment
½” shackle (on both ends)
WIREWALKER SYSTEM
Payload
Modular design accepts most oceanographic sensors
Profiling Rate
10 m/min (round trip) in most wave conditions;
0.3 - 0.5m/s ascent rate is typical
Max profiling depth
3280 ft
1000 m
Buoyant foam depth rating options
984 / 1640 / 2460 / 3280 ft
300 / 500 / 750 / 1000 m
* Fully assembled, not rated for depth
3.6. PROJECT CUSTOMIZATION NOTE
Due to the adaptable and modular nature of the Wirewalker, each of the four primary components can
be outfitted to match the needs of the project. Options could include an upward looking Acoustic
Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) positioned at the base of the profiling wire, supplementing the
downweights, or the addition of auxiliary sensors on the profiler. Likewise, alternative instrumented
surface buoys have also been used with good success in well designed moorings. The Wirewalker is an
adaptable system that can be upgraded and outfitted to meet the unique needs of future projects;
however, it’s impossible to predict the impact that all customizations may have. We suggest gaining
experience with the Wirewalker Profiling System with its standard components first, before beginning
significant customization.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 8
4. PRE-DEPLOYMENT SET-UP
The Wirewalker Profiler is a purely mechanical device. Its simplicity is a strength, but the profiler must be
properly set up (ballasted, affixed to the profiling wire, deployed in the proper orientation, i.e. with the
correct side facing up) or there is a risk of compromised profiling performance. Therefore, it is important
to become familiar with what is necessary to prepare and access for a deployment. DMO has made this
intuitive by using a variety of hardware. While you may utilize additional tools during integration and
ballasting procedures, typically on deck you only need a #3 Phillips screwdriver to remove the Phillips flat
head 1/4-20 screws on the cowlings, center lid, and on the cam cover to load the wire into a Wirewalker.
4.1. ANATOMY OF THE WIREWALKER
PROFILER
At the heart of the Wirewalker Profiler is the profiling
cam mechanism, which engages with the wire to propel
the platform down through the water column. Since the
payload is customizable, so are the clamps and mounts
to secure them to the platform. Buoyant foam is used to
ballast the system for the desired ascent rate and to
balance the weight of adding various payloads. Refer to
PAYLOAD BALLASTING CONSIDERATIONS for a more
in depth view of ideal locations to mount particular
types of sensors and for where to add/remove foam.
Additionally, there are two cowlings that help to protect
the integrated payload. The leading edge cowling is the
shorter of the two, while the longer is the trailing edge.
Sensors that benefit from maximum unobstructed water
flow should be mounted on the leading edge. More
Wirewalker anatomical terms are defined in the
GLOSSARY .
4.2. REMOVING THE COWLINGS
In order to integrate a payload, change batteries, add/remove foam, or often to access the data and/or
program a sensor, the cowlings must be removed. This is done by simply removing the cowling screws
(pairs of Phillips flat head 1/4-20 screws on the inner edge of the cowling) with a #3 Phillips screwdriver.
No other tools are necessary. There are cowling screws on both sides of the Wirewalker that will need to
be removed. Refer to Figure 5A for visualization.
To replace the cowlings, align the cowling screw holes with their mounting brackets and replace the
screws. However, if instrument clamps or cowling mounts were moved, the pre-drilled cowling holes may
not align. The cowling can easily be modified for the new configuration as each possible attachment
location has pre-drilled pilot holes. Enlarge the hole to be used and carefully countersink the cowling.
NOTE: To avoid cowling deformation, cowlings should be affixed to the WW for long term storage as
this helps them keep their shape. For short term storage, such as while prepping for a cruise, cowlings
are best stored upright (on short top/bottom edge) rather than on their long edge or long side.
Cowlings may widen (i.e. open up) if stored improperly, making it challenging to attach them. If
widening does occur, lay the cowling on it’s long side (as if it were going to be affixed to the WW), and
add some weight (the WW downweight works well) distributed along the long edge. This will compress
the cowling and help return it to its intended shape. This works best in a warm environment and should
be occasionally inspected. An overly compressed cowling is equally as challenging as a widened one.
One or two hours of compression is all that is typically needed. DMO does NOT advise the use of direct
or applied heat.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 9
Figure 5: The cowlings, center lid, and cam can all be opened using a common #3 Phillips Screwdriver. Other types
of hardware (hex drive) need NOT be removed. A) A WW with cowling and center lid installed. Green Squares
identify the cowling screws and Blue Arrows are used to identify the central lid screws. B) With lid removed, the cam
is visible (black box in center). C) Close up of the cam box. Green Squares identify the large Philips screws used to
open the cam. The smaller hex head screws in the keyholes should NOT be adjusted.
4.3. AFFIX PROFILER TO THE WIRE ROPE
In order to connect the profiler to the profiling wire, there are a few steps to follow. These are shown in
the sequence of Figure 6 and described below. Similar to removing the cowling, the only tool required
is a #3 Phillips screwdriver.
A. Remove the Phillips head screws holding the center panel, or “lid” in place. The screws are
located in the 4 corners of the lid (Figure 6A) and clearly marked in Figure 5A with Blue Arrows.
B. After the screws are removed, slide the center cover slightly toward the top of the profiler and
remove it. The panel is held in place by two guides as shown in panel B.
C. Remove the cover of the cam mechanism and insert the jacketed wire rope. Again, only remove
the large Phillips flat head 1/4-20 screws (do not alter the screws that go into the keyholes). See
Figure 5C. Slide the cam cover toward the bottom of the profiler to remove the cover off the
keyholed screws. NOTE: Check that the cam mechanism can be actuated by snapping the cam
into the “up” and “down” positions using the triggers on either end of the profiler. The cam race
(component with wheels) will be open, or held in the upward position when the bottom trigger
is pressed firmly upwards. The cam race will be engaged, or free to move vertically up and down
when the top trigger is pressed firmly downwards.
D. If applicable, insert the jacketed wire rope into the inductive modem’s ferrite holder and close.
E. Remove the retaining roller at the end of the profiler. No tools required, just slightly lift the
retaining clips.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 10
F. Run the cable through the instrument and out the end; work the retaining roller back into place.
This is done easiest by working an excess loop of wire after it has passed through the end.
G. Ensure that the retaining roller is latched into place.
H. Repeat steps E-G for the other end of the profiler.
I. Replace the cam mechanism cover, center panel, and respective screws.
* SAFETY NOTE: When lifting the profiler by the wire, it is safest for the cam to be in the open position
(aka up position/bottom trigger pushed in), with the profiler resting on the bottom turnaround bumper.
Figure 6: Step-by-step connection of the vertical profiler to the jacketed profiling wire.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 11
5. BALLASTING
5.1. GOALS
While the ballasting procedure is quite forgiving, overall Wirewalker performance does depend on
proper ballasting. The following goals should be achieved during the ballasting procedure:
●The profiler must be positively buoyant
●Target upcast speed is ~40 cm/s
●Minimum upcast speed is >30 cm/s; cam mechanism may not engage at low speeds
●Maximum upcast speed is <100 cm/s; but you rarely want to go faster than 60 cm/s
●With proper ballasting, a balance is achieved between the forces driving the downward
ratcheting, and the upward buoyancy of the profiler. i.e. Too much buoyancy will make it
harder/take-longer for the profiler to descend. Too little buoyancy, and the cam may not
re-engage near the surface.
5.2. CONSIDERATIONS
We recommend that the ballasting procedure for the Wirewalker is done through the use of a test tank,
pool, or dock/pier side (Figure 8B). New Wirewalkers should be user ballasted to ensure the setup will
work as expected in your environment. Ballasting should be attempted before heading to sea with all of
the instrumentation installed. Changes in instrumentation is likely to require a re-ballasting of the
Wirewalker.
Floatation material (Figure 7) is inserted into the profiler
centerline top and bottom as well as outside of centerline,
ideally near the top of the instrument as can be seen in Figure
5B and 8A. Floatation material should be distributed equally
about the centerline. When removing floatation material, foam
blocks located near the bottom of the profiler should be
removed before removing those located at the top of the
profiler. Refer to PAYLOAD BALLASTING CONSIDERATIONS
for additional considerations, including addressing various
sensor technologies.
Ballasting at sea may be possible, but is not recommended.
With natural variabilities at sea, it’s very challenging to avoid
“dragging” the WW behind the vessel; therefore, introducing
external forces that bias the accent rate calculation. The
ballasting procedure is best carried out where currents, wind,
and particularly vessel drift are at a minimum; hence, the
recommendation to utilize a test tank, pool, dock, or pier.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 12
5.3. RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
Recommended equipment for the ballasting procedure includes:
●Test tank, pool, pond, or dock/pier-side location with a deep enough water depth to allow the
Wirewalker to reach a terminal rise speed for a sustained duration. For reference, Scripps
Institution of Oceanography uses a 10 m deep test tank.
●Wirewalker with extra floatation foam and field tool kit
●3/16” jacketed profiling wire with downweight attached (in a controlled environment, a single
plate, or less weight, makes simulating waves by hand easier).
●Winch or chainfall to suspend the Wirewalker cable from overhead
Figure 8: (A) Location of Wirewalker buoyancy foam; (B) Hands-on ballasting of the Wirewalker at Scripps Institution
of Oceanography using their 10 m test tank.
5.4. PROCEDURE
●Find a suitable location to perform the ballasting procedure. Requirements are enough water
depth beneath the surface to allow for the Wirewalker to reach terminal rise for a sustained
period of time. A starting recommendation of depth is about 5-8 m.
●Suspend the jacketed wire rope from either a winch or chainfall. Leave enough slack in the line
to easily attach the Wirewalker to the line and a weight to the wire’s termination.
●Program the CTD to record with as fast a sampling rate as possible. This will allow the user to
check the ascent rate via the pressure record of the CTD (optional).
●Install all equipment to be deployed on the Wirewalker. The Wirewalker must be ballasted with
it’s deployment configuration.
●Attach the profiler to the profiling wire as described in the section AFFIX PROFILER TO THE
WIRE ROPE .
●Ensure the cam cover and center lid are secured. Ideally, the cowlings should also be installed;
however, they can be left off for the initial ballasting as you add/remove foam.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 13
●At this point, there should be enough foam for the profiler to be positively buoyant (i.e. it won’t
ascend if it’s negative). The cam trigger should always be in the up position (bottom trigger
pushed in) when lifting overhead. Being in the up position also allows you to check that the
Wirewalker is buoyant enough to float.
●Attach a downweight (using a lighter weight than when deployed makes simulating waves
easier) to the end of the wire to keep the wire upright and taunt while ballasting.
●Pick the profiler and downweight up via the wire (profiling should be resting on the bottom
turnaround bumper) and lower into the testing area.
●Lower the weight as low as allowable into the water to check ascent rates. Scripps uses a 10m
test tank and lowers the downweight to slightly above the bottom.
●Once the unit is in the water and the weight is deployed to the proper depth, push down on the
top cam trigger on the WW to set the unit into descend mode.
●Manually pull up and down on the wire to simulate wave interaction with the surface buoy. The
unit should start to work its way down the wire.
●Continue simulating waves until the cam is shifted into the open position (you should feel the
trigger mechanism open the cam) and the profiler ascends. NOTE: If the profiler stays at the
bottom, you need to pull it up and add more foam. The Wirewalker must be positively buoyant
to ascend.
●Each time the profiler is at the surface, push down on the top cam trigger to descend again.
●Continue simulating waves to achieve a couple profiles. This familiarizes you with opening and
closing the cam and will help dislodge any bubbles that could bias the ballasting.
●After a few test profiles, engage the cam and gently work the profiler down the wire to just
above the downweight (cam is still closed).
●Get a stopwatch ready to record the rate of ascent.
●Gently pull the wire up and down until the profiler hits the bottom turnaround bumper and the
cam is shifted to the open position. This can be felt on the wire and the profiler should start to
ascend.
●Start the stopwatch as soon as ascent begins.
●Compute the rate of ascent for the profiler from the downweight to the surface (i.e. distance
traveled/time it took).
●Re-engage the cam and repeat this several times until confident with the value. If the cowlings
were removed for initial adjustments, it’s recommended to attach them for these repetitive tests.
●If the unit does not meet a satisfactory target upcast speed (nominally 40 cm/s), remove the unit
from the water, adjust ballast accordingly and cycle through the procedure again.
●Remove the unit from the water, remove the profiler from the wire, give the unit a fresh water
rinse down and store for deployment.
●If logging data on a CTD, download data to verify your calculated ascent rate matches that
observed by the CTD (optional).
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 14
7. DEPLOYMENT
The deployment process is straightforward and requires a few key pieces of equipment and personnel to
accomplish the process. This section covers a deployment process similar to that covered in Wirewalker
training at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and assumes a well equipped research vessel is utilized.
We recognize that each deployment is unique and that resources, such as vessel size, type, and
supporting equipment, are variable. Other methods of deployment are certainly possible, but it’s
impossible to cover all scenarios in this manual. The information contained herein is offered as a guide
based on proven methods.
7.1. EQUIPMENT
❏Winch capable of handling the necessary amount of force
❏Air Tugger
❏Hydraulic A-Frame
❏Block wide enough to pass the profiling wire with turnaround bumpers unimpeded
❏Taglines/Securing lines
❏Rope line to spool on winch drum
❏Quick release
❏Deck cleats
❏Wirewalker including all components, tools and replacement parts
7.2. POSITIONS TENDED
❏Winch Operator
❏Air Tugger Operator
❏A-Frame Operator
❏Block Tagline handler (2) also acting as Quick Release Operator/Auxiliary person
❏Deck Lead
❏Safety Observer (if required)
Figure 9: Positions and Equipment - (A) Winch and air tugger operators; (B) Deck lead, tagline operator/auxiliary
person and safety observer.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 15
7.3. DEPLOYMENT PROCESS
●Prepare mooring equipment for deployment. This may include, enabling loggers and sensors,
removing protective caps from sensors (such as optodes and/or fluorometers), starting the GPS
tracking beacon and flasher, arming acoustic releases, etc.
●Attach a backing line to the winch drum and spool onto the drum. The other end of the line
should be terminated with a thimble (Figure 10A).
●The thimble should be connected to the top of the profiling wire via a shackle and D- Link
(Figure 10B).
●Spool the Wirewalker wire onto the winch drum (Figure 10C).
●Run a line from the air tugger through the main block on the A-Frame and down (Figure 9) if
using a floating block for the deployment.
●Attach a block at the end with a wide enough gape to have the turnaround bumpers and
hardware (½” safety shackles and swivels) pass through easily. The distance between the cheek
plates of this block should be at least 4 inches. Taglines should be connected to both sides of
this block. It will be suspended above the deck and the taglines will keep it stable (Figure 9B and
11A/B).
●Run the profiling wire through the suspended block. Pay-in on the air tugger to raise the block
so that it is suspended approximately 10’ off the deck (Figure 9B).
Figure 10: Deployment setup - (A) Backing line to be attached to the winch terminated with thimble; (B) Connection
of rope line to the top of the Wirewalker coated wire connected with a D-Ring and shackle; (C) Rope line and most
of Wirewalker coated wire spooled.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 16
●Tighten the tag lines from the suspended block and secure to available cleats on the moving
part of the A-Frame. These taglines will be loosened and adjusted as necessary. They should
never be allowed to become dangerously tight and available tagline operators should always be
on hand to allow for quick manipulation (Figure 11A/B).
●Connect the profiler to the jacketed wire as described in the section AFFIX PROFILER TO THE
WIRE ROPE .
●For safety, the cam should be shifted into the open position (bottom trigger pushed in), which
allows the profiler to rest on the bottom turnaround bumper when lifted.
●Attach the downweight to the bottom of the jacketed wire. The downweight is connected via ½’’
safety shackles to the wire, with a swivel.
●When the ship is in position for deployment, retrieve on the winch to raise the profiler and
downweight off the deck (Figure 9B). Disconnect the ship’s safety lines at the stern of the ship.
●With block tagline operators in place and the profiler and weight raised off the deck, start out on
the A-Frame. The air tugger operator and the block tagline operators will have to adjust as
necessary to keep the block at a constant height off the deck. The deck lead should direct the
A-Frame and air tugger operators as well as the tagline operators during this process to ensure
positive control is always kept on the instrument, the air tugger block is not sucked into the
A-frame’s center block, and the taglines do not get too tight.
●Once the A-Frame is in a full outboard position, fix the block taglines.
●Pay out on the winch to start lowering the weight into the water. Continue to pay out on the
winch until the top of the jacketed wire (including turnaround bumper) has passed through the
block. Stop paying out on the winch when the terminated top of the jacketed wire is within reach
of those on the deck (Figure 11A/B).
Figure 11: Deployment of the Wirewalker - (A) Lowering the Wirewalker into the water; (B) through (D) Stopping the
line off to the deck to connect the surface buoy.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 17
●Using a line stopped off to a deck cleat, run the free end through the shackle connecting the
D-ring to the top of the profiling wire. Take slack out of the line and stop the free end off to the
same cleat. This will ensure that the trailing Wirewalker is secured to the ship while the surface
buoy is connected to the cable (Figure 11C/D).
●Disconnect the winch rope from the jacketed wire. Boom the A-frame back in while carefully
tending to the air tugger’s block position and taglines.
●Move the surface buoy into position on the back deck if it is not already there. If the seas are
high, you may want to make sure it is still secured to the deck.
●Connect the profiling wire to the surface buoy as appropriate for one of the following scenarios,
oAutonomous : Connect the standard jacketed wire termination to the surface buoy via a
shackle/pear-link/shackle assembly.
oReal Time : For instruction on preparing your termination type to connect with the surface
buoy and modem/telemetry system, refer to the HAMMERHEAD TERMINATION ASSEMBLY
GUIDE .
●Connect a Quick Release to the winch line. Connect a hoisting strap to the Quick Release with
the other end run through an accessible pick point on the surface buoy as shown in Figure 12.
●Start to take some of the load from the surface buoy up via the winch line. Have positive control
of the surface buoy as it is raised (Figure 12).
●When ready, slowly loosen the stopper line that is holding the load of the Wirewalker profiling
wire.
●Working with the A-frame operator, air tugger operator and the block tagline operators, raise
the surface buoy while booming out on the A-frame while being mindful not to jam the quick
release into the block.
●When the A-frame is boomed out and the system is ready for final deployment, lower the
surface buoy down by paying out on the winch.
●When ready, trigger the Quick Release to complete deployment of the Wirewalker.
●Once complete, replace the ship’s safety lines and stow all gear.
Figure 12: Quick Release, surface float and stopper line during deployment.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 18
8. RETRIEVAL
The retrieval process is straightforward and much like the deployment process; but, accomplished in
reverse. It requires a few key pieces of equipment and personnel to accomplish the process. This section
covers a recovery process similar to that covered in Wirewalker training at Scripps Institution of
Oceanography, and assumes a well equipped research vessel is utilized. We recognize that each
recovery is unique and that resources, such as vessel size, type, and supporting equipment, are variable.
Other methods of deployment are certainly possible, but it’s impossible to cover all scenarios in this
manual. The information contained herein is offered as a guide based on proven methods.
8.1. EQUIPMENT
❏Winch capable of handling the necessary amount of force
❏Air tugger
❏Hydraulic A-Frame
❏Block wide enough to pass the profiling wire and turnaround bumpers unimpeded
❏Taglines/Securing lines
❏Rope line to spool on winch drum
❏Telescoping pole with releasable capture hook (like a Grab ‘n Go hook)
❏Deck cleats
❏Wirewalker including all components, tools and replacement parts
8.2. POSITIONS TENDED
❏Winch Operator
❏Air tugger Operator
❏A-Frame Operator
❏Block Tagline handler (2) also acting as Boat Hook Operator/Auxiliary person
❏Deck Lead
❏Safety Observer (if required)
8.3. RETRIEVAL PROCESS
●Run the rope line from the winch drum through the air tugger’s block, set up during the
deployment process (Figures 9 and 13A).
●Run this line around the stern of the ship and up whichever side you will be recovering the
Wirewalker from.
●Attach the end of the line to the releasable capture hook connected to the end of the boat hook
or other telescoping pole. This will allow for the captured Wirewalker buoy to be connected
right to the winch.
●Line the ship up for retrieval. As the Wirewalker comes down the side of the ship, capture the
buoy with the releasable hook connected to the winch line (Figure 13B).
●Walk the captured surface buoy down around the stern of the ship.
●Remove the ship’s safety lines at the stern of the ship.
●Boom out on the A-frame. The deck lead will lead the air tugger, A-frame, and block tagline
operators to ensure that the retrieval block does not come in contact with the A-frame block and
that the taglines do not get too tight.
●Retrieve on the winch line to raise the surface buoy out of the water. Boom in on the A-frame
during this process to land the surface buoy on the deck (Figure 13C/D).
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 19
●As was done during the deployment process, stop the surface buoy off to a deck cleat to allow
for removal of the surface buoy.
●Once stopped off and secured, disconnect the surface buoy from the winch line.
●Disconnect the profiling wire from the surface buoy as appropriate, ensuring that the jacketed
wire is stopped off to the deck and that you will not lose the profiler during the process.
oAutonomous : disconnect shackle at the base of the surface buoy.
oReal Time: disconnect the hammerhead termination jumper wire to the seawater ground
and disconnect the shackle at the base of the surface buoy.
●Stow the surface buoy and secure to the deck.
●Connect the winch line to the stopped off profiling wire.
●Slowly release the stopper line so that the winch takes all of the tension. Disconnect the stopper
line from the profiling wire.
●Boom out on the A-frame. The deck lead will lead the air tugger, A-frame, and block tagline
operators to ensure that the retrieval block does not come in contact with the A- frame block
and that the taglines do not get too tight.
Figure 13: Retrieval Process - (A) Boat hook with capture hook. A line is run from the winch around the stern and
connected to the capture hook; (B) Capturing the Wirewalker with the hook as it drifts by; (C) Winching the
Wirewalker in; (D) Stopping the surface.
Wirewalker Users Guide [v4] 20
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