OTTB Surface Support System There are two facets to the OTTB surface support system. • The Service Buoy is a work platform that has been permanently moored in Saanich Inlet, and is used to raise and lower the recoverable platform. • Operations Support are the various assets that the OTL uses to facilitate operations:ROV, boat, communication system, etc.

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Service Buoy

The service buoy, pictured above, is permanently moored in Sannich Inlet and is used to raise and lower the recoverable platform. The service buoy is a stable work platform equiped with a crane for moving equipment onto or off of the recoverable platform. The service buoy is also a gathering place to prepare for other experiments which may not require the recoverable platform, such as underwater vehicle testing.

Operations Support

The operations support for the OTTB is centered around the shore station, located at the Institute for Ocean Science on the shore of Patricia Bay. The shore station houses the OTTB communication system and servers, and is the place where the communication fibers provided by VENUS come ashore. The equipment in the shore station monitors what is happening with the subsea equipment over these fibers.

When operations are underway, the OTL crew uses a 5.8 GHz wireless data system to provide communication between the equipment in the shore station and the crew on the water. This datalink has a range of 5km and provides wireless coverage over the entire operating area. This not only keeps the crew informed of the status of the underwater equipment, but it also allows other researchers to participate in experiments remotely via the internet.

The primary vessel used for operations is a 27' boat (shown above) which is outfitted with the necessary power, A-frame, davits and workspace necessary to utilize the OTTB and all of the associated tools. The location of the boat relative to the underwater infrastructure is monitored using a differential GPS system based at the shore station. This GPS system allows the shore station to track objects on the surface in the same way that the IAS system tracks objects in the underwater arena.

A Sea Eye Falcon ROV (depicted in the foreground above) is used to assist with day to day operations. The ROV is operated from the OTL's primary vessel and is used for routine maintenance on the facility and to assist in deployments or experiments.