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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1998-99: VUWAE 43

Under ice buoyancy for CRP-2/2A

Under ice buoyancy for CRP-2/2A.

The two five tonne air bags were deployed under the sea ice below the Drill Rig with the assistance of Crary Lab Divers. About 9 tonnes of buoyancy was applied under the 17 tonne drill rig and this maintained the freeboard in the ice page break hole to 180 mm (210 mm when unloaded) by the end of drilling. No buoyancy was applied under the Mud Hut complex which is also a significant load especially when the mud tanks are full (about 9 tonnes) and at the end of drilling this freeboard was reduced to less than 100 mm. Both air bags have been recovered but will require an improved mooring system to prevent freeze-on under the sea ice and facilitate recovery at the end of drilling.