• Name: Andre Amador Ramirez
• University: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
• Major: Mechanical Engineering
• Email: andre.amador@upr.edu
• Testimonial: My research as a RIOS intern involves the analysis and validation of CODAR HF radar data output from the CDDO station located in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. This station was installed last February and we are now looking at its readings for the first time. Since CODAR measures sea surface currents, comparing its output against established systems such as NOAA tidal current predictions, ADCP readings, and ADCIRC Model predictions can tell us if CODAR is operating consistently and accurately. In addition, I have been receiving training on how to troubleshoot a CODAR station.
• Interview with Andre

Andre’s poster

• Name: Samuel Rivera Aparicio
• University: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
• Major: Civil Engineering
• Email: samuel.rivera8@upr.edu
• Testimonial: In the IMCS Research Internship in Oceanographic Sciences Program (RIOS Program 09), I am working with the data from the 13 MHz Codar System CDDO in Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico, primarily with the ship detection data. The CDDO site was installed in February of 2009 and until now nobody had looked at the data. It is of top priority to calibrate and validate the data of a Codar System once it is installed so that agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard can use it to enhance emergency responses and identify threats to national security. Also, I have been receiving training in the operation of the hardware and software of the SeaSonde system so that once the summer is finished I will be able to operate and troubleshoot the system in Puerto Rico. Hopefully by the end of the summer the CDDO site will be working at its full potential and providing reliable data.
• Interview with Samuel

Samuel’s poster

During this first trip, Ethan Handel showed students the different hardware components of the CODAR System – location for Rx and Tx antennas and equipment shed. He showed the correct way to assemble hardware, described the role of each component, and showed tests that need to be done every time the CODAR site is visited. Ethan showed the students the log notes kept at each site, and trained Andre and Sam in the correct way of measuring the vital CODAR site statistics.

This training will certainly be of great use to the students, since they are expected to work at the CDDO site in Puerto Rico. Samuel described the experience as “unique, invaluable and most of all exiting.” Andre said, “I hope we are going to have the opportunity to see more sites.”

New York Bay is also characterized by heavy boat traffic such as barges, oil ships and cargo ships and there is a concern to research boat traffic for National Security. Stevens research is primarily focused on the sound emitted by the motor and by using infrared cameras to detect ships. RIOS summer students are focusing on CODAR data to learn techniques to detect ships. The experience at Stevens Institute will provide them with a wider view on different on going collaboration research between Stevens and Rutgers University to improve ship detection in New York Harbor.

- Erick Rivera Lemus
See pictures on Flickr

Mike Smith interview

Andre Amador Ramirez interview

Samuel Rivera Aparicio interview

Carissa Wilkerson interview

Jeff Vieser interview

During this trip we were very lucky with the weather only encountering a slight bit of rain, allowing the deployment to go great. Both went off with out a hitch, and were set for great productive missions!

- Kathrine L. Bianchini