|
1993 Refurbishment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aquarius and it's baseplate upon
arrival in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1991. Aquarius was recovered
from the seafloor using the Mobile Support Barge, which was later
reconfigured to the Mobile Support Base that was moored at Conch
Reef from 1993 - 1996.
|
Aquarius and its baseplate assembled
and ready for deployment after the 1993 refurbishment. The 1993
refurbishment was done at the North Carolina State Docks, in Wilmington,
North Carolina.
|
Aquarius is retrieved, cleaned,
and rebuilt, approximately every four years. This 1993 photograph
was taken at the State of North Carolina docks in Wilmington. The
Center refurbished Aquarius after it operated previously in St.
Croix from 1987 to 1989.
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Stern" view, or wet
porch end of Aquarius. The "gazebo," the white canopy-like
structure, is visible to the left. The gazebo functions as a refuge
from Aquarius, and also as a staging and communication area.
|
"Port" view of Aquarius. The main viewport
remains covered with a protective metal shutter. Aquarius can
be positioned on uneven bottoms by using hydraulic jacks to lift
or lower the baseplate legs.
|
"Starboard" view of Aquarius
and its baseplate. Note the large "mud mats" at the bottom
of the baseplate legs. The mud mats are eight feet per side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Bow" or "bunk room"
view of Aquarius with protective railing visible. The railing protects
Aquarius from major bumps, that could occur during retrievals and
deployments. Note two of the air flasks stored underneath Aquarius.
|
This view from below provides a clear view of
Aquarius resting on its baseplate. Heavy duty turn-buckles and
two large "stabbing pins" are used to secure Aquarius
to the baseplate.
|
"Starboard" view of Aquarius.
For scale, note two people standing underneath.
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) funds Aquarius. The University of North Carolina
at Wilmington (UNCW) operates Aquarius as part of its National Undersea
Research Center.
|
The two cylinders in the foreground each weigh
8000 pounds. They are placed in cradles on either side of the
wet porch during deployment and operations to counteract some
of the buoyancy created by the wet porch air pocket.
|
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) funds Aquarius. The University of North Carolina
at Wilmington (UNCW) operates Aquarius as part of its National Undersea
Research Center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aquarius was highlighted in Sea
Technology Magazine prior to its first deployment in St. Croix,
USVI, in 1987.
|
|
|
