Testing the glider in the bay off Charlottetown. Robin controlled the glider from a van onshore while the rest of the team were out watching from a skiff.
Photo credit: Mark Downey
Lowering the glider into the water off the dock in Charlottetown for a final check on science sensors.
Testing complete, it was time to deploy.
Photo credit: Robin Matthews
Sunrise on deployment day in Port Hope Simpson (where we were staying), down the road from Charlottetown.
Photo credit: Robin Matthews
Snowflakes on our van window.
Photo credit: Robin Matthews
Charlottetown harbour with our deployment vessel, Little Bubbles tied up to the dock on the left. As can be seen in the foreground, ice is starting to form around the edge of the bay. In only a few more days the harbour may be completely frozen over and Little Bubbles won't be able to get off the dock. So we're deploying just in the nick of time!
Photo credit: Robin Matthews
Close up of Little Bubbles.
Photo credit: Mark Downey
The deployment team - from left to right: Brian, Everett, Mark and Robin.
A big thanks to Everett and Brian for use of their vessel and testing/deployment assistance.
Photo credit: Darlene Turnbull
The path out to our offshore deployment location from Charlottetown was riddled with numerous small islands, many separated only by narrow passages containing treacherous submerged rocks. Fortunately our experienced local crew knew the route to take to avoid these underwater hazards and navigated us out into open waters with ease. It won't be long now before this area is frozen solid and you can walk out to the islands.
Photo credit: Mark Downey
Deployed! We slid the glider off its cart into the water over the side of Little Bubbles in the manner of a kid going down a slide. It shot down beneath the surface before bobbing back up again (to our relief).
Photo credit: Mark Downey
Robin sends the glider on its way from the cockpit of Little Bubbles.
Photo credit: Mark Downey
Back in Charlottetown, Little Bubbles had to cut a path through the ice in order to get back to the dock. This made a disconcerting crunching noise on the boat's fibreglass hull.
Photo credit: Robin Matthews
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