We began the meeting with updates from the FleetLink Partners. [Editorial note: Most of the meeting's agenda was accomplished as part of an extended "update" discussion.]
Gary Williams reported problems with integrating the MET sensors and the Athena data acquisition software. The problem may lie in the Athena code and how Athena talks to the devices. He is working with his sub-contractor to make necessary modifications to allow the sensors to talk to Athena. The goal is still to allow transmission of 5-second averages for the data.
Gary also reported good progress with the net sensors. The prototype sensor talks with the transceiver over 1000'. He expects that data files of 4K or 5K can be exchanged in 4 or 5 seconds, but will require a clear (i.e., line of sight) path. With the net sensor working, Gary is now working on a system to log the data. The pickup partnership has been pretty well worked out; packet transfer handling has also been worked out. The design of the 900 mHz Dalron antenna may need some modification or adjustment, depending on where and how it is to be installed on the vessel.
Gary passed around a schematic of the net sensor housing. It will be 3.5" in diameter and 16" in length, with a ~6" antenna. The housing will be aluminum. The sensor temperature range will be -2 to 35 degrees C. A discussion of how the sensor will be mounted on the gear, including what orientation is required for successful transmission followed. The resolution, for future consideration, was that Cliff would create a wooden model of the given dimensions so that Craig could watch how it fared during trawling and as the gear was wound on the winch. Questions of whether the sensor should have a syntactic foam flotation collar, whether the housing needs rings etc. for attachment will be resolved using the model. Craig suspects that he will wrap the entire sensor in line to protect it, but cautioned that the housing will need to be very strong to withstand normal fishing practices. Additional discussion concerned battery life (Gary wasn't sure), and whether a salt-water switch would be a good idea (similar to those on the acoustic pingers). Data rates were discussed again, with the concern that the data rate should be high enough to resolve vertical structure in the water column during deployment of gear (7 minutes to set gear at 100 fathoms). This may mean that a variable data rate is needed.
Finally, Gary discussed expected time frames for completion of sensor production and integration. He anticipated that the sensor integration would be completed in a week and the gear sensor would be functional in 3 weeks.
The group then turned to the issue of the timing of system installation on the Susan & Caitlyn. Ken reported that he still needs a week or so to continue work on software and to install the MET sensors (and he warned the group that he would be on vacation for the first two weeks of December). He is facing a curious problem that static discharge is killing his GTX boards; the company is replacing them. [This should not be a problem on the vessel.] However, he said the data telemetry (transmitting to Bob at WHOI) was now working well. Craig said that pilot house modifications will best be done after he has the hardware to be installed, but that vessel modifications will only require a few days. Gary agreed to arrange for Craig to get a sensor box and tree framework to work with.
Installation of the system on the Caitlyn & Susan will require some additional thought. Craig's mast is steel, which may cause magnetic interference and affect operation of the MET sensors. If Craig installs an additional pole for the sensor mounting, it would be better if it were not made of steel. Craig estimated that that the sensors will be about 20' above waterline.
Ken reported that he could move from Windows 98 to Windows 2000 if desired. He has not been able to look at the GUIs on the shore-based version of the WHOI ship-board website displays. Peter will ask Bob to help Ken get access to the website(s).
Cliff raised the issue of selecting a second vessel for the demonstration phase. Cliff suggested that we ask Bobby Kohl, who fishes out of Fairhaven, and also may land fish at New Bedford, Boston, and Portland. He has a 65' steel-hull dragger with several computers already onboard. Cliff will invite him to a future meeting, and will talk to him about whether he now hails his catch at sea.
Cliff also reported that he and Gary were investigating whether they would be competitive for the DOC SBIR program for installation of sensor systems on ships of opportunity, that would involve data display for the vessel but no transmission. Gary considered using the MIT "box" and the sensor array. Dave Hosom might be involved in any proposed effort. This led to a discussion about how the FleetLink group should operate in seeking future funding and developing related projects. The group agreed that we should develop a written agreement among ourselves about how to handle hardware ownership issues, software liscensing issues, and intellectual property in general. The intention is to come to a consensus among the P.I.s about "best practices", which also takes into consideration any Navy / ONR requirements concerning results and proceeds from DOD-funded efforts. The intention was not to develop a legal document. Ann agreed to take the lead in preparing a draft version of such a document. The group seemed to have a positive view about the eventual development of commercial product(s) related to the FleetLink mission.
Rollie reported that he has reserved a booth at the Fishermens' Forum in Rockport ME during the first weekend in March. There will also be two separate sessions on collaborative research at the Forum, and Rollie will make sure that FleetLink, the U.S.GLOBEC Georges Bank Study, and the Northeast Consortium are included in the discussions as appropriate. Rollie also reminded us that he would like to work toward production of a video of the FleetLink project. Rollie will talk to UNH videographer, Stuart Williams, once we are sure we will have the funding (about $7,000).
Gary agreed to pursue possible contacts with GTS (not sure of full company name), which uses weather data from buoys.
The group agreed that Coast Guard vessels would be excellent platforms for installation of the FleetLink system, and may eventually be customers for the marine forecast data. In order to determine what possibilities for partnership there might be, Cliff agreed to call the Boston regional Coast Guard headquarters; Gary agreed to call the Groton office.
Rollie mentioned that conservation groups may also be potential customers. We talked about contacting Scot Kraus to see whether right whale reporting would be a basis for additional funding for the system.
Identified priorities for next steps include:
Costs of the renewed and continued FleetLink project will include: hardware (system computers, servers, sensors), maintenance and repair, satellite telemetry, visualization software. We anticipate the roles of the existing partners would remain much the same: MIT would purchase computers and integrate the systems, Clearwater would purchase and produce the sensors.
An extensive discussion regarding appropriate people for membership on the NEC Advisory Committee. The Committee will be structured to be representative of all three states and all stakeholders, and be composed of 25-30 people. [Note: The list of suggested Advisory Committee members was distributed to the FleetLink P.I.s by Ann following the meeting.]
The NEC Advisory Committee members will: approve the RFP (early January), evaluate preliminary proposals (early March), and make recommendations regarding funding of full proposals (early May). The goal is to have projects begin June 1, 2000. Ann argued that funding decisions should be based primarily on quality of the proposal and the strength of the partnership, assuming the topic area falls within the scope of fisheries management issues critical to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and/or Maine. The NEC will not attempt a firm prioritization of topics for funding, but will rely on documents in existence, including the Pearse/Rothschild document commissioned by the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Recovery Act and Don Perkins' workshops report.
The next meeting date was set for Wedneday, January 5th, at MIT Sea Grant.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.