Planning your Drop Deployment route
Deployment Planning
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Before ever taking the system out, it is important to plan your trip accordingly.
Hydrographic Marine Charts
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It is advisable to use high-quality, trusted hydrographic marine charts to understand the expected terrain before towing, to mitigate the risk of snags or underwater collisions.
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If this is not available, for example, in very remote locations, it is advisable to conduct a hydrographic survey before using the DCS.
Deployment Site Planning
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Plan your drop locations in relatively flat areas, keeping a safe distance from the coast if near shore.
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Avoid deploying directly over or adjacent to steep underwater cliffs or severe drop-offs. The chances of the system swinging into obstructions due to vessel drift or underwater currents are highly increased in these types of dynamic geography.
Seafloor Conditions
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Note the expected type of seafloor at your drop site. Is it a sandy bottom, gravel, rocky, or boulders? If this information is not available on local charts, execute a cautious initial descent. Lower the DCS slowly and utilize the live video feed and altimeter data to establish visual contact while remaining safely above the seabed.
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If operating in a rocky area with large boulders or complex structures, maintain a safe vertical clearance. Keep the DCS suspended high enough to avoid collision, keeping in mind that surface vessel heave (wave action) translates directly down the tether. A test deployment pausing at a higher altitude is advised to assess the terrain safely before moving closer.