FOCI Standard Operating Instructions

January 2002
5.4 Ultra-Cold Freezer Requirements - The scientific ultra-cold freezer will remain on the ship in operating condition from the beginning of the first FOCI cruise until the ship returns to Seattle and the samples within can be unloaded.  Since valuable samples will be in the unit, operation must be continuous without interruption.  Therefore, the unit should be hardwired into the ship's electrical system or connected with a threaded plug.  The unit must be securely fastened to a bulkhead or counter, easily accessible, with a minimum of four inches on each side around the bottom.  The location, fastening, and wiring should be similar to the configuration that FOCI has used in the past.  In addition, a weight should be taped to the top of the unit to prevent the lid from lifting in heavy seas.

The freezer has an alarm, but ship's personnel are requested to check the digital temperature display twice daily to insure that the operating temperature is below ­60°C.  The unit will be locked between cruises, and a key left with the Chief Survey Technician.  In the event that the unit fails, the temperature will maintain for about twelve hours if the lid is not opened.  If the unit fails and cannot be fixed on the ship, the scientific blast freezer should be pre-cooled to its minimum (-38°C), and all frozen specimens should be transferred to it immediately, without thawing.  Kevin Bailey must be notified by either telephone or e-mail.  A daily record of the temperature (digital readout) on the scientific ultra-cold freezer will be submitted to Kevin Bailey upon the ship's return to Seattle.

allen.macklin@noaa.gov