Vessel Charter for retrieval of anchor lines with attached temperature probes in the southern Gulf of Saint Lawrence

Objective Request to charter a vessel to retrieve 8 anchor lines with attached temperature probes in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (see map below). One line consists of 3 anchors separated by 65 fathoms of rope and 1-2 temperature probes attached to the anchor (see image below). As bottom temperature data are important information for snow crab biological investigations as well as stock assessment, it is primordial to recuperate these lines. The lines should be retrieved by dragging with a grapnel/chains at the following stations. In case the first attempt is not successful, start to drag in a circular pattern around each stations' positions. The use of grapnel (s), chain, and necessary amount of rope to accomplish the task is required and must be provided by contractor. For every station, the time and position of the retrieved lines must be recorded. If a line is not successfully retrieved, the start and end times of attempted retrieval and area covered (provided by GPS locations) must be recorded. 1 day of work consists of the successful retrieval of 1 line or up to 12 hours (including transit and attempts of retrieval) if line is not retrieved. A maximum of 2 days per station will be allocated. A DFO employee may accompany the contractor when completing part or all of the work. Anchors, rope and temperature probes will be collected by a DFO employee returned to DFO Moncton.