The 「Oshoro-Maru」 is equipped with various functions necessary for research and surveys in order to achieve the goal of "meeting various research needs" set forth at the time of its construction. This section describes the Oshoro Maru's (1) observation and fishing facilities, (2) research and survey area, and (3) observation equipment, as well as (4) living quarters.
The equipment required for oceanographic observation includes a "crane" for lifting equipment, a "winch" for raising and lowering equipment in the sea, and a "davit" and "boom" for swinging and towing equipment above the sea surface. Figure 1 shows the layout of the observation and fishing equipment on the Oshoro-Maru.
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Figure 3 Stern working deck (VR animation)
「 Oshoro-Maru」 is equipped with four observation winches, each of which is designated by a number from No. 1 to No. 4 (Table 1). All winches can be operated remotely from the winch control room (Fig. 1-⑭) located at the rear of the end deck. No.2 winch (Fig. 1-2) and No.3 winch (Fig. 1-3) are both wound with armored cable (coaxial cable covered with steel wire) and are mainly used for observations with the CTD water sampling system. The equipment connected to the armored cable is lifted by an articulated crane (Figure 1-7), which is located right next to the armored cable, and is placed into the sea from the port side.No. 4 winch (Fig. 1-4) is a general-purpose observation winch used for sampling with plankton nets and small mud samplers.
Both winches are equipped with a wire rope (or armored cable) of 7,000 to 8,000 m in length, allowing the instruments to reach the seafloor in all areas of the North Pacific Ocean except for some trench areas.
Table 1 Winch Specifications for 「Oshoro-Maru」 Observation
On the aft working deck is a large gantry-type crane, the "A-frame," which is used to lift large, heavy observation equipment such as multiple corers,piston corers, solinets, and MOHTs, and to swing them out over the sea. The A-frame is used to lift large and heavy equipment such as multicorers, piston corers, solinets, and MOHTs, and to swing them out over the sea surface. The A-frame can fine-tune the speed of movement, making deck work safer than the method of lifting with a winch, which is difficult to adjust the speed at low speeds. Another feature of the A-frame is that it can move a suspended load in a straight line, whereas a conventional crane moves a suspended load in an arc by slewing.
Figure 4 A-frame operation
Booms installed on the port side (Figure 1-⑧, ⑩) are used when towing a neuston net or fry net near the water's surface. The use of these booms reduces the effects of vessel navigation (e.g., bow waves and propeller agitation, contamination from the vessel's hull, etc.) compared to towing from the stern.
To accommodate sampling by fishing methods, 「Oshoro-Maru」 is also equipped with fishing equipment such as a trawl winch (Figure 1-⑬), an up-and-down slipway (Figure 1-12), an automatic squid fishing machine, and fish collecting lights.
(2) Research and study section
Figure 5 shows the layout of the 「Oshoromaru」dedicated research and survey compartments. Each compartment has different features to meet a wide range of research needs. The main stage for research and surveys is the research area, which occupies the middle of the aft deck. Consisting of three laboratories, it is located on the same level as the researchers' living quarters and the observation deck, to allow for flow lines in the execution of research and survey cruises.
Figure 5: Arrangement of survey/research compartments
Figure 6 shows the details of "Laboratory 1. The control equipment for the ship's permanent instruments, such as the CTD and various acoustic measuring instruments, are installed in this room, and the operation of these instruments and data recording and processing are performed in this room. To avoid bringing in water and dust, which can cause malfunctions of electronic equipment, visitors are required to remove their shoes, coats, and other equipment at the entrance. A multi-display system is used for the monitors installed on the walls, and each monitor can be used to display any of the observation equipment.
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Figure 7: Laboratory 1 (VR animation)
Figure 7 shows a plan of Laboratory 2. Laboratory 2, the largest of the three laboratories, is a laboratory for handling aqueous samples such as seawater, organisms, and sediments. A laboratory that does not bring in water, such as Laboratory 1, is called a "dry laboratory," whereas a laboratory like Laboratory 2 is called a "wet laboratory. The floor is waterproofed, and drains are provided so that dirt and salt contained in seawater can be washed away with water. In addition to several lab benches, the laboratory is permanently equipped with basic equipment necessary for research, such as a sink, a refrigerator-freezer, a draft chamber (a lab bench with an exhaust function for working with harmful gases), and an ultrapure water production system. On the other hand, nothing is permanently set up on the laboratory table so that the passengers can freely arrange the equipment and materials they bring on board and conduct experiments. Bolt holes are provided in the laboratory table, ceiling, and walls, allowing the attachment and removal of metal fittings for fastening equipment and materials (Figure 8). The dimensions of these bolt holes are the same for all experimental tables. If an analyzer or other equipment with holes that match these dimensions is prepared in advance, it can be easily fastened to the laboratory table (the same dimensions as those of the JAMSTEC Hakuho Maru). The top panel of the laboratory table is made of wooden plywood, so wood screws can be driven directly into the table to secure the equipment. Furthermore, since the lab bench is removable from the floor, it is possible to remove the lab bench and bring in and install large laboratory equipment, allowing the entire laboratory to be arranged to suit the purpose of the voyage.
The sink is equipped not only with a fresh water faucet, but also with a faucet that supplies seawater pumped up from the ship's bottom for research purposes. A surface seawater monitoring system installed right next to the sink continuously measures the characteristics of the surface seawater (temperature, salinity, turbidity, and chlorophyll-a concentration) pumped from the ship's bottom during the entire voyage.
Figure. 7 Layout of 「Oshoro Maru」 Laboratory 2
Figure. 8 Removable eyebolts on the experimental table
a) Before installation b) Bolt holes and eyebolts c) After installation
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Figure 9: Laboratory 2 (VR animation)
Laboratory 3, also known as the "environmental control room," is a room for conducting experiments under controlled environmental conditions (brightness and room temperature). Because of the inevitable temperature fluctuations in Lab 2, which has an outdoor entrance, Lab 3 is used for work that must be conducted at a stable room temperature (e.g., measuring the salinity of seawater). This room has no windows, so it can be used as a dark room by dimming the lights and closing the door.
The "water sampler room," which is adjacent to laboratory 2, is used to store observation equipment such as the CTD water sampling system. A water sampler trestle is installed on the wall of the water sampler room, and up to 36 Niskin water samplers up to 12 liters in size can be fixed side by side. The open door of the water sampler room leads to the observation deck, where the observation work is performed.
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Figure. 11: Water sampler room (VR movie)
The "Container Lab," a portable laboratory, is installed in the exposed section of the end-boat deck. The Container Lab is a shipping container converted into a laboratory, and one of the four types (wet, clean, refrigerated, and multipurpose) is selected and installed as required for the purpose of the voyage.
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Figure 12 Container lab (VR video)
A "cryogenic laboratory" (room temperature range: 0~10°C) and two "frozen sample rooms" (internal temperature range: -50~-20°C) are located on the rear of the upper deck. The cryogenic chamber is used for experiments under low-temperature conditions and also serves as a storage area for samples that need to be kept refrigerated. The cryo storage is divided into two compartments, each containing different types of samples to prevent contamination of the samples by mixing samples of different properties. One compartment is used to store samples that must be protected from contamination by other samples, such as seawater for chemical analysis, while the other compartment is used to store samples that are more likely to become contaminated, such as fish specimens.
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Figure. 13 Low-temperature laboratory (VR movie)
(3)Observation equipment
In addition to the equipment and facilities permanently installed on board, the 「Oshoro Maru」 also has a collection of survey and observation equipment as shown in Figure 14, which is installed as needed depending on the purpose of the voyage. After the voyage, these instruments are unloaded from the ship and stored in the observation equipment warehouse adjacent to the Oshoro Maru's dedicated wharf.
Fig. 14 Oceanographic instruments owned by the Oshoro Maru
(4)residential area
For a successful research and study voyage, it is important to have a comfortable living environment on board. Onboard the ship, with its many restrictions, you may feel more cramped and inconvenienced than on land, but if you know what it is like onboard beforehand, you can make your own preparations and devise ways to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Here, we use 360° camera images of the living quarters to give those who have never sailed on the「 Oshoro Maru」 an idea of what life on the ship is like.
First, Figure 15 shows the layout of the Oshoro Maru's living quarters. The living quarters are divided into the 「student living quarters」,「student dining hall」,「researcher living quarters」and 「chief researcher's room」each of which is located on a different level.
Figure 15: Layout of residential compartment
・Student Residential Area
The living quarters for students are located on the second deck, the lowest level. The living quarters are equipped with sleeping quarters (7 x 6-person rooms + 2 x 4-person rooms) and separate men's and women's washrooms, bathrooms, and toilets. The rooms are furnished with bunk beds and lockers for each resident, study desks, fans, and internal telephones. There is a washing machine and a clothes dryer in the bathroom, which can be used freely except for short voyages.
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Figure 18: Bath (for men) (VR video)
・Student cafeteria (classroom)
On the floor above the student living quarters (upper deck), there is a cafeteria where faculty and students can gather together for meals. The cafeteria also serves as a classroom for lectures and is equipped with audio-visual equipment such as projectors and TV monitors. When not in use for meals or lectures, the cafeteria is also used as a place for passengers to relax.
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Figure 19: Student cafeteria (VR video)
・Researchers' living quarters and principal researcher's apartment
For the purpose of teaching students and conducting surveys and research, university faculty and research institute staff (researchers) also board the Oshoro Maru. For convenience in conducting surveys and practical training, the quarters for such researchers (3 x 2-person cabins) are located on the same floor (aft deck) as the research compartments and observation deck. Each voyage also has a 「chief researcher」 on board as a leader who supervises the researchers and students. Since the chief researcher often goes up to the bridge as a coordinator and liaison between the ship and the crew, a single room for the chief researcher is located on the floor immediately below the bridge (end-boat deck). The chief scientist, who has the responsibility and authority to achieve the objectives of the voyage, is considered equal to or superior to the person in charge of the ship's operations, and his/her room is located alongside those of the captain and chief engineer.
The chief researcher's room is furnished with a bed, desk, locker, refrigerator, television, washstand, fan, and extension telephone. Researchers also use the bathroom and lavatory on the aft deck (both shared with the ship's crew).