Overboard coring operations are conducted directly on sea ice adjacent to the vessel, providing access to and preservation of in situ ice conditions. This approach is typically employed during consolidated or semi-consolidated floe conditions where the sea-ice cover is considered stable and able to support personnel deployment, and where scientific objectives require minimal disturbance prior to sampling. This document outlines the operational considerations, procedures, and safety considerations for conducting overboard sea-ice coring operations from research vessels operating in polar environments, with specific reference to practices developed aboard the S.A. Agulhas II in the Antarctic marginal ice zone (AMIZ). It is intended as a reference for field teams, technicians, and researchers involved in sea-ice sampling campaigns, supporting consistent, safe, and high-quality data collection. Emphasis is placed on maintaining sample integrity, ensuring personnel safety in a dynamic and potentially hazardous environment, and facilitating efficient coordination between the scientific team, vessel crew, and Bridge.
Audh et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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