Nuyina Desktop Backgrounds

As part of my work with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), I’ve been developing control software for the Nuyina Underwater Towed Termination System (NUTTS). Designed by the Polar Tech Design Team, NUTTS is a system that enables the operation of deep-sea science equipment. The system features four Electro-Optical-Mechanical (EOM) cables and supporting equipment, which provide power and interface capabilities for a range of deep-sea science platforms.

Each system operates on a dedicated Linux computer, which can be accessed and controlled through a KVM switch. This setup allows us to display the desktop interface of any system on multiple monitors throughout the Science Operations room on the Nuyina. To visually differentiate between the identical systems, we utilize custom desktop backgrounds. Initially, we used simple solid colors with text labels, but during my downtime at sea, I created had a bit of fun designing backgrounds using Inkscape, adding a touch of personality to our monitoring setup.

Design Team Patch

Our first custom background showcases the “Polar Technology Design Team” patch I designed, featuring a penguin character equipped with a vintage oscilloscope and soldering iron.

Deep Tow Computer

The Deep Tow desktop background pays tribute to the classic film Top Gun, reflecting the similarities I try to see between operating the deep tow camera’s Heads Up display software and navigating a fighter cockpit.

Towed Body Computer

The Towed Body desktop background is a playful parody of the Jaws movie poster, replacing the shark with a midwater trawl net about to scoop up a krill.

CTD 1 Computer

For the CTD1 background, I drew inspiration from the notion that our deep-sea science platforms, with their bright lights, must resemble alien spacecraft to the sea creatures dwelling on the abyssal plain. This idea is depicted in this background, which features a CTD platform beaming up a krill with its deep-sea lights, in a nod to Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

CTD 2 Computer

The final NUTTS background, designed for the CTD2 PC, reimagines the ship’s moonpool as a gateway to the cosmos. Instead of gazing into the deep ocean, the view through the moonpool reveals a portal, with the moon suspended in the vastness of space beyond.

Bridge Computer

Following the previous designs, I was asked to create a custom background for the Bridge PC, which enables bridge officers to access Science Operations displays. This background is a tongue-in-cheek response to the well-reported challenges we faced with Tas Ports and the resulting detour to Burnie for refueling. The design features the Nuyina equipped with oversized rocket thrusters, soaring effortlessly over the bridge – a lighthearted take on the situation.

Psi Ops

Our scientific operations, including CTD casts and towed camera deployments, rely on the coordinated efforts of three teams: the bridge crew, led by the Master, who navigate the vessel; the deck crew, under the Chief Mate, who deploy equipment from the aft deck or CTD hangar; and our team in Science Operations, who operate the scientific equipment on behalf of the researchers. Internally, we refer to Science Operations as “Sci Ops” over the radio. Over time, we’ve jokingly referred to our room as “Government Psy Ops” or “Psi Ops.” Recently, after watching The Men Who Stare at Goats and exploring the concept of Remote Viewing, I was inspired to create a patch design for our door: “Psi Ops.”