Retrofit trigger weight camera device and method

A method of collecting coring data during a piston core sampling process via a retrofittable coring data collector apparatus, the method comprising:

• connecting the coring data collector apparatus to a piston corer, the apparatus having a base having a bottom face, a top face opposite the bottom face, and a side wall connecting the top face and bottom face;
• a central support member having a first end connected to the top face of the base, and a second end connected to one or more minor beams;
• each of the one or more minor beams having a first and a second end, the first end of the minor beams connected to the top face of the base, the second end of the minor beams connected to an area proximal to the second end of the central support member, the minor beams forming a cage around the center support beam;
• one or more accessory mounts operable to mount an accessory within the accessory mounts, wherein the accessory mounts are attached to the central support member;
• and a lifting connection member attached to the second end of the central support member;
• connecting the lifting connection member to non-rotating suspension member connected to a trigger arm of the piston corer;
• mounting at least one camera in an accessory mount, wherein the at least one camera is oriented in a direction of the piston corer, wherein the camera is operable to monitor the piston corer;
• mounting at least one laser in an accessory mount, wherein the at least one laser is oriented in the direction of the piston corer, wherein the at least one laser is operable to monitor the piston corer;
• mounting at least one light in an accessory mount, wherein the at least one light is oriented in the direction of the piston corer, wherein the at least one light is operable to monitor the piston corer;
• activating the at least one camera, at least one laser, and at least one light using a control system;
• releasing the coring data collector apparatus, the piston corer, and the trigger arm into a body of water;
• allowing the coring data collector apparatus to contact a sea floor before the piston corer contact the sea floor, wherein when the coring data collector apparatus touches the sea floor, slack is created in the non-rotating suspension member allowing the trigger arm to raise, causing the piston corer to deploy;
• and
• monitoring the piston corer using the at least one camera, at least one light, and at least one laser, wherein the at least one light, and at least one laser, are oriented towards impact of the piston corer penetrating the sea floor, a seafloor environment, and a core barrel exiting the sea floor.

A method of collecting sea floor data via a retrofittable weighted data collector apparatus, the method comprising:

• connecting the weighted data collector apparatus to a crane, the apparatus having a base having a bottom face, a top face opposite the bottom face, and a side wall connecting the top face and bottom face;
• a central support member having a first end connected to the top face of the base, and a second end connected to one or more minor beams;
• each of the one or more minor beams having a first and a second end, the first end of the minor beams connected to the top face of the base, the second end of the minor beams connected to an area proximal to the second end of the central support member, the minor beams forming a cage around the center support beam;
• one or more accessory mounts operable to mount an accessory to within the accessory mounts, wherein the accessory mounts are attached to the central support member;
• and a lifting connection member attached to the second end of the central support member;
• connecting the lifting connection member to a tether, wherein the tether is operable to suspend the weighted data collector apparatus above water;
• mounting at least one camera in an accessory mount;
• mounting at least one laser in an accessory mount;
• mounting at least one light in an accessory mount;
• activating the at least one camera, at least one laser, and at least one light using a control system;
• releasing the apparatus into water;
• and
• collecting data using the at least one camera, at least one light, and at least one laser.