Target Trawl Commander

For the Denman Marine Science campaign, our engineering team embarked on the Nuyina for a four-day round trip to Burnie to refuel. With a tight turnaround after the vessel’s return from its previous voyage, we chose to get on board early to set up the science systems, ensuring we could troubleshoot any hardware or electronic issues before heading 3000km into the remote ocean. Thanks to solid planning and preparation, we enjoyed an unexpected lull during the transit to the Denman Glacier, with nearly a week of relatively quiet time. To stay engaged, a few of us used the opportunity to brush up on our JavaScript skills by creating some marine science-themed games for the ship’s intranet.

Note: Clicking the heading will take you to a Github hosted copy of the game.

Target Trawl Commander

Target Trawl Commander simulates the challenging process of target trawling, where we use fisheries sonar to locate a target, such as a krill swarm, and then attempt to maneuver the vessel to tow the rectangular midwater trawl net through the swarm, collecting samples. As I understand it, this process helps calibrate the sonar data against the actual biomass of the krill swarm, providing more accurate information when surveying krill stocks. However, successfully catching the krill requires skill and strategy. One counterintuitive aspect is that the vessel turns by swinging its stern, like in real-life, which can cause the net to pass farther from the swarm than intended. Adding to the complexity in this game, each successful catch requires paying out more wire to the net, all while navigating through a field of colliding icebergs.

Acoustic Calibration: The Game

The RSV Nuyina is equipped with two multibeam sonar systems, along with various other hydro-acoustic instruments. To ensure accurate readings, these sonars require calibration using a small tungsten-carbide sphere. This process involves carefully positioning the sphere within the sonar’s field of view, typically using a mechanical system. However, this system has proven unreliable at times, forcing technicians to manually adjust the wire by hand – a tedious and time-consuming task. This game simulates a 2D acoustic calibration exercise, where you control two winches using the A/D and Up/Down keys to maneuver the sphere into the desired position before the sonar emits its pulse. As you play, the challenge escalates with a mischievous seal attempting to steal the target sphere, while the time limit decreases and the target area shrinks.