GROPLAN 2014 MALTA CAMPAIGN€¦ · GROPLAN is a project for 4 years and the Maltacampaign represents the main sea campaign to collect data to be used during the project. This campaign

ARCHEOMAR 2010

SEA OPERATIONS REPORT P a g e | 1

2014

GROPLAN 2014 MALTA CAMPAIGN

SEA OPERATIONS REPORT

GROPLAN CAMPAIGN 2014

XLENDI – MALTA

16th July to 20th July 2014

COMEX SA

COMEX SA. Département Opérations Marines 36,bd des océans BP143 13275 MARSEILLE CEDEX 9 FRANCE TEL : +33 (0)4.91.29.75.00 FAX : +33 (0)4.91.29.75.07 email : [email protected]

S.A au capital de 2.300.000 € - Siret 062 802 459 00024

mailto:[email protected]

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PROJET GROPLAN AREA XLENDI - MALTA REF DOC COMEX REPORT – ARCHEOMAR 2010 -REV0 REVISION REV 0

REALIZED BY VERIFIED BY APPROVED BY B.CHEMISKY E.SEGUIN

F.ALCALA F.GAUCH

DOCUMENT DISSEMINATION COMPAGNY NAME NB COMEX SA Frédéric GAUCH 1 EX. HDD With all data UNIVERSITY OF MALTA Tim GAMBIN 1 EX. HDD With all data




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SUMMARY

1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 4

2 EQUIPMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 SURVEY VESSEL ............................................................................................................................. 5

2.1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................ 5

2.1.2 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MINIBEX ........................................................................... 6

2.2 EQUIPMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 7

2.2.1 SURFACE POSITIONING SYSTEM – DGPS .............................................................................. 7

2.2.2 SUBSEA POSITIONNING – USBL ............................................................................................ 7

2.2.3 Super ACHILLE ROV ............................................................................................................... 8

2.2.4 REMORA 2000 .................................................................................................................... 11

2.2.5 ROV3D System .................................................................................................................... 12

2.3 OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................. 13

3 OPERATIONS DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................ 14

3.1 GEODETIC REFERENCE SYSTEM .................................................................................................. 14

3.2 CREW LIST ................................................................................................................................... 14

3.3 SUMMARY DATES ....................................................................................................................... 14

3.4 XLENDI WRECK ............................................................................................................................ 15

3.4.1 CONTEXT ............................................................................................................................. 15

3.4.2 3D PHOTOGRAMMETRY –ROV3D SYSTEM FROM R2K. ...................................................... 17

3.4.3 R2K DIVE FOR SCIENTIST OBSERVATION ............................................................................ 18

3.4.4 AMPHORAE AND MILLSTONE RECOVERY ........................................................................... 18

3.5 WRECK AREA 2 -3D PHOTOGRAMMETRY –ROV3D SYSTEM FROM R2K .................................... 24

4 DAYLY PROGRESS REPORTS ................................................................................................................ 25




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1 INTRODUCTION

GROPLAN project is a project founded by the French Research Agency, with a partnership composed of the French Research Institute CNRS with the LSIS Laboratory specialized in informatics and model, the French company COMEX specialized in underwater engineering and research, and archeologists from the Malta University, CNRS Camille Jullian laboratory and Texas A&M University.

GROPLAN is a project for 4 years and the Malta campaign represents the main sea campaign to collect data to be used during the project. This campaign is included in the work package 5 managed by COMEX.

The MINIBEX vessel with all the equipment required to collect the 3D data on the XLEDI wreck in Malta leaves Marseille the 10 July to be ready to start the campaign the 16th.




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2 EQUIPMENT

2.1 SURVEY VESSEL

Operations have been conducted from the MINIBEX DP vessel.

2.1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Minibex is a light, highly maneuverable 30 meters vessel fitted with a Dynamic Positioning system, allowing research and subsea operations down to 800m.

Minibex offers an outstanding ratio between mobility, reduced crew and onboard equipment.

The “DP” designed by COMEX allows the ship to remain stationary above a fixed seabed reference point, to keep a constant heading or to follow free swimming or tethered, mobile target accurately.

MINIBEX is equipped to provide comfortable living conditions for 11 persons. Thanks to her high level of automation and sophisticated equipment, a multidisciplinary team can operate a wide range of underwater scientific or oceanographic equipment and subsea exploratory vehicle.

While of moderate size compare to more conventional oceanographic vessels, MINIBEX offers a far higher cost/value ratio with increased mobility, reduced crew, safe handling and wide range of equipment.




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2.1.2 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MINIBEX Length 30 meters

Breadth 7 meters

Draught 2.50 meters

Maximum speed 10 Knots

Loaded displacement 125 tons

Gross tonnage 147 UMS Hull material AG4 MC high tensile aluminium alloy

« Dynamic positioning » Via 2 Schottel "PUMPJETS" (fore and aft) controlled

by a COMEX DP system (offered for sale) Main engines 2 MAN diesel engines (steady service 400 BHP at 1800 rpm) ROV COMEX SUPER ACHILLE

Depth rating: 800 m Tether management system P&T Camera, HD camera, panoramic sonar, manipulators

Submarine REMORA 2000 (in option) Working depth: 600 m

Stern handling frame Hydraulic tilting multifunctional gantry (submarine, sidescan sonar, etc.) Lifting capacity : 5,5 tons in tilting mode 8 tons in static mode

Tender V shape semi-rigide hull – 60CV engine

Architect Bureau d’Etudes MAURIC, Marseille

Classification BUREAU VERITAS I 3/3 (-)

Flag French (RIF)




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2.2 EQUIPMENTS

2.2.1 SURFACE POSITIONING SYSTEM – DGPS

DGPS AG132 - TRIMBLE

The TRIMBLE AG132 is a DGPS with sub metric accuracy. The AG 132 can use a technology which is the combination of the beacon differential, satellite differential and WAAS/ EGNOS differential receiver.

2.2.2 SUBSEA POSITIONNING – USBL

HPR 410P – SIMRAD

To positioning Side Scan Sonar, ROV or submarine, a subsea positioning system is required.

The system used on the MINIBEX vessel is an Ultra Short Base Line (USBL) HPR 410P from SIMRAD.

A transponder is fitted close to the Side Scan Sonar Towfish or on ROV, Submarine, depending of operations. All records will geo-referenced in real time.




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2.2.3 Super ACHILLE ROV

Our SUPER ACHILLE, in place on board MINIBEX, is a light observation ROV (80 kg) fitted with a Tether management system that enables it to operate quickly at a depth until 800 m. It is equipped with two video color cameras, one 3 axes working arm and a Tritech panoramic sonar.

In function of needs, It can be fitted out with specific tools, to perform:

• Research, • Inspection, • Observation, • Sampling, • Subsea movie, • Divers assistance, • Recovery of wrecks, • etc…




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DYNAMIC POSITIONING AND TMS : THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION

Super Achille is a turnkey solution composed by:

• 1 handling hydraulic winch : A capacity of 800 m of umbilical. Breaking strength of 15 tons (diameter: 20 mm).

• 1 cage : It’s the "garage" of the ROV vehicle, thanks to which it is lowered vertically to the working depth.

• 1 ROV vehicle and its tether

Once at its working depth, "SUPER ACHILLE" can leave its cage on a 60m floating Umbilical.

• 1 Top side unit mainly composed by control command and video monitors.

The entirety builds a Tether Management System (TMS).

Tether Management System

The TMS allowed the ROV to operate at no reachable depth in free swimming mode

In shallow or middle operating depth, the TMS increase the maneuverability compared of a free swimming ROV. In fact, the length and so the weight of umbilical is greatly reduced (less inertia, courant effect…)




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Fitted with a “transponder”, acoustic beacon communicating with surface vessel’s USBL, the ROV can be followed by the ship navigation system. Interfaced with the vessel’s Dynamic Positioning system, it allows the ship to stay at the vertical of the vehicle and to carry out high accuracy work in total security.

Thus Super Achille is able to perform mission in hazardous environments including in the presence of sunken cables or wrecks:

• In case of salvage of heavy sunken elements, The TMS can be used as powerful lifting device

• Otherwise, the TMS allows the use of tools which can’t be fitted on a “free” ROV.




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2.2.4 REMORA 2000

The latest in the range of COMEX’s innovative submarines, REMORA 2000 combines the functions and instrumentation of an oceanographic subsea vessel with the built-in amenities and eye-catching design of a recreational submarine

Its primary mission is to carry two persons down as far as 610 meters for up to 5 hours of underwater exploration in the comfort and safety of an air-conditioned cabin at atmospheric pressure.

Equipment:

• One hydraulic arm CYBERNETIX “SAMM” 5 axes

• One hydraulic arm CYBERNETIX “SAMM” 3 axes

• A high resolution 725 kHz scanning sonar

• An echosounder

• A complex system of cameras:

Pan & Tilt camera

High Definition camera

Video recorder (DVCAM or HDD recorder)

Reflex digital camera + flashes

4 halogen searchlights and 4 high power HMI searchlights.




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2.2.5 ROV3D System




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2.3 OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY

The objectives of the campaign are defined with Timmy GAMBIN from Malta University and Jean-Christophe SOURISSEAU from French institute CNRS – Camille Jullian laboratory. The first objective is to produce a very high resolution 3D model of the Xlendi wreck using the

last ROV3D system developed by COMEX and LSIS laboratory of the CNRS. This system is operated by the REMORA submarine as describe in this report.

The second objective is to recover 4 pieces from the wreck At least, a large area with many amphora will be surveyed to produce a model on which we can

identify the different artifacts.




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3 OPERATIONS DESCRIPTION

3.1 GEODETIC REFERENCE SYSTEM

All geographic positions written in this report are referred to WGS84 geodetic reference system.

3.2 CREW LIST

Crew list during the campaign between 18th and

• Patrick CHAUMAT Captain • Joann FOLCHIER Second officer / chief engineer • Vincent HAREL cook / sea man • Felix BOUILLEAUX Sea man / diver • Bertrand CHEMISKY Party chief • Yvan TCHERNOMORDIK Submarine supervisor and pilot • Frédéric ALCALA Senior surveyor / submarine and ROV pilot • Jonathan MORVAN Scuba Diver / ROV Pilot • Emmanuelle SEGUIN Surveyor • Hugo FRUY Trainee Surveyor

3.3 SUMMARY DATES 10/07/2014 Transit MBX (Harbor PAM - bad weather) GROPLAN 11/07/2014 Transit MBX (Harbor PAM – bad weather) GROPLAN 12/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 13/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 14/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 15/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 16/07/2014 Opération Malte GROPLAN 17/07/2014 Opération Malte GROPLAN 18/07/2014 Opération Malte GROPLAN 19/07/2014 Opération Malte GROPLAN 20/07/2014 Opération Malte GROPLAN 21/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 22/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 23/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN 26/07/2014 Transit MBX GROPLAN




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3.4 XLENDI WRECK

3.4.1 CONTEXT

“Over the past years, local heritage authorities in Malta have conducted a number of systematic remote sensing surveys off the coasts of the Maltese Islands. One such collaborative project resulted in the discovery of a well-preserved ancient shipwreck. From initial studies conducted on the site it was established that the site is datable to circa 7th century BC at a depth of 125 m. This shipwreck may offer new and significant information about Phoenician seafaring and trade in the central Mediterranean during the archaic period. To date, little is known about the earliest contact of Phoenician mariners with the Maltese islands. Most archaeological evidence stems mainly from funerary evidence. This discovery may be considered as one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in Malta datable to the early Phoenician period. The use of a remote operated vehicle, side scan sonar and a sub bottom profiler enabled the discovery, study and assessment of this deepwater shipwreck. Preliminary photomosaics were created and video footage obtained. Importantly, it was also established that the bulk of the cargo still remains buried in the sediments.”

Xlendi Side Scan Sonar mosaic data (Timmy Gambin)




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The Xlendi Bay is localized in the South in Gozo Island in Malta.

Recently discovered, the Xlendi wreck on approximately 120m depth shows on the top part a freight well preserved, composed by amphorae and millstones which reminds off a 12 – 14 meters by 4-5 meters vessel. Some images evoke a second level of amphorae. The exam of the first level shows a mixed freight and the vessel seems entire.

From the information the archaeologist have, the ship wreck is dated between the end of the VIIIe century and the middle of the VIIe century before J-C.

This configuration is perfect for a photogrammetry studies, in fact, the photogrammetry will permit to provide a 3D reconstitution of the first level, in order to pick up amphorae and millstone to provide studies on.

The operation was composed:

• ROV observation to determine the 3D acquisition protocol of the ship wreck • Photogrammetry data acquisition from REMORA 2000 • From the first rapid photogrammetry processing data, identification of the millstone and

amphorae to be recovered




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3.4.2 3D PHOTOGRAMMETRY –ROV3D SYSTEM FROM R2K.

Pilot Y. Tchernomordick – Co-Pilot and ROV3D: B. Chemisky

The REMORA 2000 equipped with ROV3D system has been deployed for the first survey the 17/07/2014 at 10:30am

The survey begun at 11:00, 8 passes E-W and 6 passes N-S and the record finished at 12:20.

The camera has been disposed at the vertical of the site.

The second survey has been done the 18/07/2014, the camera has been disposed at +22.5° and the survey begun at 11:29 and finished at 12:25. 10 transects E-W and 8 transects N-S

Another record has been done on isolated amphorae on the North West boundary on the shipwreck. This record has been made in closed photogrammetry procedure.

KEY NUMBERS

On site results: Mosaic Low resolution: about 24 hours: 664 photos – 23 Millions pts – 20 Millions faces

Post process results: 829 photos – 27 Millions pts – 30 Millions faces

All data: 2 831 photos HR & 28 310 photos HD in two dives 01:20 & 00:54




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3.4.3 R2K DIVE FOR SCIENTIST OBSERVATION

The 18th of July, Timmy Gambin has been co-Pilot to realize a scientific observation of the Xlendi wreck.

The 20th of July, Jean-Christophe Sourisseau has been co-Pilot to realize a scientific observation of the Xlendi wreck.

3.4.4 AMPHORAE AND MILLSTONE RECOVERY

From the first photogrammetry process in low resolution, the material to recover has been identified by the scientist on board, Timmy Gambin and Jean-Christophe Sourisseau.

The 19 of July, the aim was the recovery of amphorae and millstone.

The 19 of July, the aim was the recovery of amphorae and millstone.




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Sample 1: Millstone recovery




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Sample 2: Amphorae recovery




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All samples have been secured by divers at 25 meters depth before being on board.




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3.5 WRECK AREA 2 -3D PHOTOGRAMMETRY –ROV3D SYSTEM FROM R2K

Pilot Y. Tchernomordick – Co-Pilot and ROV3D: J. Seinturier for 2 hours dive.

Close to the Xlendi wreck, there is another wreck 100 meters depth; it would be several wrecks on a large area. Area dimension: 360m x 60m

Data for photogrammetry have been acquired during a REMORA 2000 dive; the photogrammetry is at this time in progress.

The site is large and the material is scattered.

Timmy Gambin Side Scan Sonar mosaic data

WORK IN PROGRESS…..




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4 DAYLY PROGRESS REPORTS




Documents

GROPLAN 2014 MALTA CAMPAIGN€¦ · GROPLAN is a project for 4 years and the Maltacampaign represents the main sea campaign to collect data to be used during the project. This campaign