REGION 10 DIVE TEAM
www.epa.gov/region10/dive
EPA Region 10 Dive Team
PISCO Support Work
What: The EPA Region 10 Dive Team's assistance was requested in the recovery of a Partnership
for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) instrument, that had been lost due to a
broken shackle during recovery operations.
Why: PISCO scientific studies of the ocean hope to better characterize the ocean ecosystem, so
ocean managers can make informed decisions based on up to date scientific information. This
specific instrument measured a variety of parameters, such as salinity and current.
Where: Mark Hatfield Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport Oregon, and offshore of
Newport, Oregon.
When: Diving took place in August, 2009.
How: EPA Region 10 divers brought a pinger locator and trained OSU personnel in its use, to assist
in instrument recovery, along with safety equipment. Divers utilized the OSU dive platform R/V
Elakha f^T pisciaimlr for open ocean dives.
Results: Unfortunately, it was determined that the pinger attached to the instrument had likely
run out of battery power. This in combination with inhibited visibility on the bottom prevented
instrument recovery on this attempt.
More Details: Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans
Contact: Sean Sheldrake (206) 553-1220, Sheldrake.sean@epa.gov

-------
Photos:
Photo of the pinger locator transducer being placed deep in the water to search for a signal

-------
Photo of OSU divers retrieving the staged decompression line during training, necessary due to the
depth of the planned dive.

-------
Photo of the pinger locator being used on the back of the Elakha above the PISCO instrument site.
Return to EPA Region 10 Dive Team homepage.

-------