Despite a number of somewhat mysterious line entanglements near the grid corners, which were untangled (often with the assistance of two vessels at the site), this was a very successful operation. A more complex mooring — due to the sensitive nature of the electro-mechanical grid and riser mooring cables, and the incorporation of nine load cells with their supporting strongbacks into the mooring system, was deployed and positioned at the OOA site. This was a team effort between the UNH research vessels Gulf Challenger and Galen J. and the fishing vessel Nobska. The Nobska proved to be a powerful and most versatile vessel. Her 4 independently operating winches, 3 powered net reels, and a 33 ft loading boom powered by 4 independent winches, with lifting capacities up to 35,000 lbs, allow the complex retrieval and deployment operations to be conducted rapidly and effectively. The needed transfer of lines, often under high loads, from one winch to another was achieved smoothly. The UNH diver assistance was vital, as was the ability of the UNH vessels to help with the mooring of net cage and the unexpected entanglement of the mooring members near and at the grid corner rings. The skillful handling of the Nobska by its skipper Matt Stommel and the rapid handling of the mooring and temporary retrieval operations by WHOI mooring technician Will Ostrom and the professional Nobska crew greatly accelerated the flow of work. The overall guidance of Michael Chambers, heading up the UNH team, was mandatory for the overall success of the mission. The UNH North Cage is now back in operation ready for fish, and ready for final instrumentation and recorders.

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