FOCI Standard Operating Instructions

January 2002
3.2.12 Simrad EK 500 Scientific Echosounder Monitoring - When requested, the Simrad EK 500 Scientific 38-kHz and 120-kHz echosounding system in the acoustics lab will be turned on during all scientific operations and should be monitored regularly for the presence of unusual acoustic signals or heavy fish sign.  The bridge should notify the scientific watch on duty if any unusual sign appears on the bridge echo sounder.

Because of the vast amount of data and paper generated by this system, the data logger and color printer should only be turned on in an area of interest or when unusual sign begins to show up.  A trained scientist should be available on each watch to begin logging data and to record station data and file names in the notebook provided.  Files should be backed up onto optical disks and magnetic tape before the end of the cruise following instructions in the ARC Manual.  The printer pen cartridges and paper should be replaced as needed.  The SIMRAD EK 500 settings will be set at the beginning of the cruise and remain the same throughout the cruise.  When data are being logged, the printers need to be checked every hour at a minimum.


allen.macklin@noaa.gov