Enjoy clips of life during the first few days at sea for the crew of the Plastics at SEA: North Pacific Expedition 2012.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/D6rkgRFvhpo]
See Christa in the last group shot, mid-left.
The ship is a celebrity with a great supporting cast
To my Dearest Ones 10/10/12
We have a chance to write, and it is so difficult to decide what to fit into a short email to you. So much has happened, between learning about the ship, how to manage watch duties, meeting all these amazing people, etc.
You would be astounded at the amount of data we collect every hour -ten times more than at the dojang! But it is exciting to collect it, realizing that every piece of information is so valuable to where the ship is heading, the projects we are undertaking, the safety and comfort of the ship and crew. Right now in my bunk, I can hear the crash of the waves just on the other side of the hull. I’ve recorded it for you. The ship is rocking forward over the swells. We are moving very fast for the moment, (8-10 knots?) mostly motoring, with the four lower sails up. For a day this rocking made many of us sick, but now we are fine and moving with the ship with more and more ease every day.
I hope things are going well with all of you. There were so many unfinished projects and situations when I left. I trust you can manage without me, but imagine there will be plenty to catch up on when I return. Continue reading “The ship is a celebrity with a great supporting cast”
Today. Awesome.
Today. Awesome. Started with an intense evening watch, followed by unending science deployments on midwatch. We assembled the MOCNESS for about an hour, recorded hourlies, deployed MC, brought it back, deployed Hydrocast, brought it back, deployed Neuston, brought it back. Tons of data to record, just with the deployment. Next watch gets to pick through what we found, and rinse the nets. MC is pretty incredible with five nets attached that deploy at different depths. We only sent it down 15 meters -plenty enough to collect the plastics floating near the surface or forced down by wind or weather. We are still learning how to use it, deployed it for the second time today.
Serious Science
The MOCNESS can be programmed to open at different depths to collect samples. Awesome piece, on its maiden voyage. -ChC
What is MOCNESS and why do we use it?
MOCNESS is a much-improved, high-tech version of the humble sampling net. The letters in MOCNESS refer to the specific improvements: it’s a Multiple Opening and Closing Net, with an Environmental Sensing System.
As MOCNESS tows behind a research ship, each net can be opened and shut independently so that it samples a discrete patch of water. The researcher chooses exactly when by using the environmental sensing system. This is an array of sensors mounted on the instrument frame that relays water conditions up to the ship in real time. The data also help researchers match what they find in their sample to the physical properties of the seawater.
From: Ocean Instruments
Photos: Below Deck
More photos taken below deck by Christa. She sent these by email in the days before the ship set sail. Continue reading “Photos: Below Deck”
Photos: Below Deck
More photos taken below deck by Christa. She sent these by email in the days before the ship set sail. Continue reading “Photos: Below Deck”
Seal Training
If you can see the seal: a young one is being trained with antennae strapped to its back. (Click image for a larger view.)
Photos: On Deck
Plastics at Sea 2012 Expedition Journal
Keep up with the latest Journal posting, as well as photos, videos and the latest plastics data at http://www.sea.edu/plastics/journal/
From the Pre-cruise entry posted by Kara Lavender Law:
“Here you can keep up with the daily progress of the 37-day Plastics at SEA: North Pacific Expedition 2012. Learn about the sailing conditions, the scientific sampling, and the people who are steering the ship and picking plastic debris from plankton nets at all hours of the day and night. The Expedition Journal will keep you as informed as if you were on the high seas aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans yourself. Here, you won’t get to sample the delicious meals or smell the salty sea air, but you won’t suffer from seasickness either.”
Night Watch
Happy birthday to my oldest, 15 today!
Just came off night watch– only one hour because we are still in port, alongside. Typing on phone.
Quiet wake up call by previous watch, telling me it was 0150, ten minutes to two, and a little chilly out. Time for my watch.
On deck, two others from my watch–kim and noah, and Katy, first scientist. Read standing orders, initialed. Had read night orders before going to bed. Just regular boat check and log weather.
Boat check includes walking the deck and surveying the lines tying us to dock, to ensure no chafing, that the lines are still holding correctly, tide hasn’t moved them to rub or loosen. General check of the deck– lines, any gear out of place, all’s well. Below-decks it includes a walk-through, looking for any standing water, unusual smells, anything amiss, check dry stores, refrigerator temps, and engine room– record oil pressure, temps, water levels, etc.
Also need to record seas and weather. Skies currently 6/8 covered in cirrus, seas calm, wind 1 beufort. Temp 20C. Continue reading “Night Watch”