PART III: OPERATIONS 



12. As an introduction to the subject of operations, an idealized exam- 

 ple of a typical coastal engineering SSS application is given first. Next, a 

 more detailed discussion of limitations, problems, and recommended practices 

 is presented, followed by a summary of operating rules of thumb. Since 

 coastal engineering use of SSS is in its infancy, much remains to be learned. 

 Any new problem should be approached with ingenuity and flexibility. 



Idealized Example 



13. A poststorm SSS survey of a rubble-mound breakwater on the open 

 ocean side is needed. A Field Operating Agency (FOA) engineer is given the 

 authority to purchase equipment and is free to plan timing of field work. 

 Since the condition of the structure should be determined as quickly as pos- 

 sible before shifting sands cover the evidence, tide/current tables are 

 quickly checked for time windows when there will be minimum currents and maxi- 

 mum depths . Arrangements are made to meet the FOA survey boat captain and 

 crew at the marina to help install the new SSS equipment and to make a prac- 

 tice run of the structure. The FOA engineer arrives at the dock with an 

 as-built plan of the breakwater (annotated over the years since construction 

 as modifications and minor repairs were made) and the best available nautical 

 charts. A manufacturer's representative instructs a hands-on lesson on opera- 

 tion of the new automatic speed- and slant range -correcting SSS equipment. 



14. Fortunately, the survey boat is equipped with powerful engines and 

 is stable and highly maneuverable . There is space to install the control unit 

 in the covered bridge that, while sheltered from wind and spray, has good ven- 

 tilation for the unit. This location also permits the operator to see the 

 display and the position of the boat relative to the structure and to talk to 

 the captain and crewman. In addition, there is room for the batteries to be 

 used to guarantee an electrical noise-free power source, as well as the digi- 

 tal data recorder, position-fixing equipment, spare batteries, display paper 

 rolls, and fuses. At the bow of the boat, there is a 15-ft boom that can be 

 used to deploy the towfish and speed log. The boat also has ample open deck 

 area to allow the crewman to work with the towfish, cable, and winch. 



