NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026

Amelia Black: We’re not in Kansas Anymore, July 8, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amelia Black

Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II

July 6-17, 2026

Mission: SEAMAP Summer Groundfish Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico
Date: July 8, 2026

Weather Data from the Bridge:
Latitude: 28.41N
Longitude: 90.12W
Sea wave height: 1 ft
Wind Speed: 7 kt
Wind Direction: 180
Visibility: 10 miles
Sea Temperature: 88.34℉
Air Temperature: 85℉
Barometric Pressure: 30.03 inHg
Humidity: 70
Sky: Overcast

Science and Technology Log

“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz

Amelia introduces Dorothy

Transcript: [Amelia]: And meet Dorothy! Dorothy is the CTD. And she’s named Dorothy II because we are on the Oregon II.

The entire instrument is called a rosette, but aboard Oregon II it is nicknamed Dorothy II. The rosette is the large circular frame that holds multiple bottles and scientific instruments. At the very bottom of the rosette is the CTD, affectionately known as Toto. CTD stands for Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth and it is one of the instruments scientists use to measure the health of the Gulf.

two images in a diagram. on the left is an photo of the entire rosette, seen against a white background. it is a circular white metal frame that contains a ring of tall, narrow water bottles mounted above an instrument in the base. the image on the right represents an enlarged view of just that bottom instrument. it is titled "CTD: Conductivity Temperature Depth." In this close-up view, arrows point to different labeled parts: transmissometer, conductivity sensor, temperature sensor, altimeter, pump, flourometer, oxygen sensors, pressure sensor (main unit) — Dorothy II (The Rosette on Oregon II)
_{Diagram created by Amelia Black, NOAA Teacher at Sea,
with input from NOAA Senior Survey Tech Stephanie Stable}

top-down closer view of just the conductivity, temperature, and depth sensor housed at the bottom of the rosette. we can see a label on the sensor reads TOTO. — Toto also known as the CTD

The first measurement the CTD collects is conductivity. Conductivity measures the salinity or how much salt is in the ocean. The higher the conductivity, the saltier the water (https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/indicators-conductivity)

You may be wondering, how salty is the ocean? This depends on the temperature of the ocean water. The warmer the water, the more salt the water can hold. The Gulf’s average salinity is 36 parts per thousand or 3.6 percent. That’s roughly equivalent to a little under ½ a cup of salt dissolved in a gallon of water. Now that’s salty!

Next, the CTD measures the temperature of the water. Both temperature and conductivity are measured at different water depths. As the rosette approaches the seafloor, an altimeter uses sound waves to determine the distance to the bottom. An alert is sent to the scientists starting when the rosette is 100 meters from the ocean floor. The altimeter ensures that the rosette doesn’t run into the ground (bottom of the sea).

The next two sensors, the fluorometer and the transmissometer measure different particles within the water. According to NOAA Ocean Exploration page:

A fluorometer measures the amount of chlorophyll in the seawater by shining ultraviolet (UV) light through the water and measuring the amount of red light that is produced by the chlorophyll in response to the UV. (https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/expedition-feature/19gulfofalaska-logs-july26-2/)

Yes, chlorophyll, similar to the chlorophyll that plants use to change carbon dioxide into oxygen (photosynthesis). The fluorometer looks at fluorescents (types of chlorophyll and other compounds) that are in the water. This information helps the scientists to determine the overall productivity, or health, of the water. Similar to the fluorometer, the transmissometer uses a beam of light to measure the turbidity of the water. Turbidity is how clear the water is (https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-07/parameter-factsheet_turbidity.pdf). The clearer the water, the farther the light travels. Think about the difference between a clear clean creek versus a muddy river. Which would you rather swim in?

Senior Survey Technician Stephanie Stabile explains final CTD checks as it is deployed into the water.

Transcript: [Stephanie]: We go over and we check to make sure all the bottles are open, none of the lanyards are stuck. These air vents at the top of the bottles? We want them closed. And then samples valves at the bottom, we want them pulled out all the way so all water stays in the bottle. We take the caps off the sensor: so there’s two red caps and then one white cap at the bottom as well. And then she’s ready to go!

One final piece of the CTD that is very crucial is the cable. This cable transmits (sends) data in real time back to the ship’s dry lab. Scientists receive the data and decide whether to close the rosette’s sampling bottles to collect water for further analysis. Common water samples are tested for chlorophyll, oxygen, and nutrient levels.

Back in the dry lab, scientists analyze the incoming data using multiple displays. There is an incredible amount of information flowing in before a single fish is ever caught!

a man sits at a desk with many computer monitors

photo of a computer screen displaying a table of data

NOAA Scientist Adam Pollack analyzing real-time data from the CTD

And all of this happens before the crew even deploys the otter trawl nets to collect the groundfish sample for SEAMAP.

Personal Log

I am really enjoying my time at sea. I’m not sure if it’s the beautiful ocean, getting to handle fascinating sea creatures, the delicious meals prepared by Chief Steward Missy, or simply the incredible people abroad Oregon II, but so far this has been an amazing experience!

Speaking of the great crew, I would like to introduce you to one of my coworkers, Senior Survey Technician Stephanie Stabile.

Stephanie works with NOAA as part of the relief pool. Rather than being permanently assigned to Oregon II, she gets the opportunity to work aboard many different NOAA ships and crew as relief help, similar to a substitute teacher.

Survey technicians are responsible for data acquisition. They oversee the collection and quality of the scientific data gathered by the ship. “Data is our ‘cargo’, it is why we are out here,” Stephanie explains.

portrait photo of a woman wearing a blue hard hat and an orange life vest, standing near a wooden railing of the ship at night. she has a pair of rubber yellow gloves clipped to her belt. — NOAA Senior Survey Technician Stephanie Stabile

Stephanie has worked for NOAA since 2015. The part of her job she enjoys most is being part of a team, accomplishing the mission, and spending time at sea.

“There are moments where I can’t believe that I get paid to be out at sea,” Stephanie says. “I look out at the horizon and see how vast the world is. It is very humbling.”

photo of sunset over the Gulf. the water is dark blue, and the sky has streaks of yellow, pink, and orange at the horizon beneath gray-blue clouds

“There are moments where I can’t believe that I get paid to be out at sea. I look out at the horizon and see how vast the world is. It is very humbling.”
–_{Stephanie Stabile}

view over the Gulf toward the horizon. the water is very calm, almost glassy in places, and gray. the sky is light blue with lots of white cloud cover. the water reflects the sky in places. — View of the horizon from Oregon II

Her advice for anyone unsure of their future career: “Whatever it is that you want to do, try to be around it as much as you can. Volunteer, work at an aquarium, get the experience.”

I absolutely love this advice! Sometimes the best way to discover whether something is the right path/career is simply to get involved and experience it firsthand.

Did You Know?

The ocean produces over half of the Earth’s oxygen! Check out this article from NOAA to learn more: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ocean-oxygen.html

Don’t forget that you can follow along on my journey through the Gulf at https://www.windy.com/station/ship-wtdo?waves,27.501,-92.356,8,m:esbadxt

Be sure to check back for my next blog as I continue exploring life and science aboard Oregon II.

Adventure awaits!

Sources

July 11, 2026July 11, 2026

Jo Slavitz: And So the Adventure Begins, July 11, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jo Slavitz

Preparing to board NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson

July 19th – August 10th

Mission: Summer Pollock Acoustic Survey, Leg 3

Geographic Area of Cruise: Bering Sea, Alaska

Date: July 11, 2026

Weather Data from Dover Middle School – Dover, NH

Latitude: 43° 10′ 42″ N

Longitude: 70° 52′ 59” W

Winds: NW at 7-10 mph

Air Temperature: 82° F (28° C)

“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” — Jon Krakauer

Introduction

As I cram the last pair of socks, one more sweater and my field guide into my pack in preparation for my voyage on NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson next week, I think about how I got here and where I hope my journey helps to lead my students.

I was born a scientist, we all are; filled with questions and curiosity. As a child, I could often be found barefoot, traipsing about armed with a fishing net, a pair of binoculars, matches, a magnifying glass and the Little Golden Nature Guides. I grew up on an island and loved being out on the ocean and everything living within it. I took every biology class my high school offered because it meant weekly trips to the beach.

As a middle school teacher for over 30 years, my goal is to recreate not just that excitement of discovery, but the deep dive into problems when the answers don’t come easy. I encourage leaning into adventures and opportunities even when you feel out of your element or unsure of yourself. NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program has given me just such an enterprise to lead by example, so come follow me on my great adventure.

Science and Technology Log

All great adventures involve a quest, so who are we searching for? Check out this legendary beast, this is the Alaskan pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) aka the walleye pollock. That scientific name is like his code name: Gadus means “cod” and chalcogrammus “brass mark.” Check out his ID photo, see that golden brown line of spots, that’s our guy!

Pollock are a close relative of the cod fish we see here on the east coast. They typically grow to be between 12” – 20” in length and weigh from 1-3 lbs. It’s a fish eat fish world out there where, depending on their size and life stage, pollock eat everything from zooplankton to small fishes. In turn, pollock are a favorite meal for others including ocean mammals, such as sea lions, larger fish, sea birds and those of us who love a good Filet-O-Fish. Pollock, like middle schoolers, hang out with their buddies and family in large schools, spending their days on both the ocean bottom and the column of water above it. Although they live throughout the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the largest concentration of Alaskan pollock is in the Bering Sea, so that’s where we are headed. Up to the Alaskan coast starting out in the Aleutian Islands at Dutch Harbor.

Did You Know?

Alaskan pollock may seem new or unfamiliar to you but it has been hiding in plain sight all around you. Go on your own pollock hunt and see how many Bingo squares you can find in your home, school or community.

Alaskan Pollock Download

July 9, 2026July 9, 2026

Amelia Black: First Day of School…at Sea July 6, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amelia Black

Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II

July 6-17, 2026

Mission: SEAMAP Summer Groundfish Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of America/Gulf of Mexico

Date: July 6, 2026

Weather Data from the Bridge:

Latitude: 28.40N
Longitude: -91.40W
Sea wave height: 1 ft
Wind Speed: 8 kt
Wind Direction: 330
Visibility: 10 miles
Sea Temperature: 88℉
Air Temperature: 82℉
Barometric Pressure: 30.03 inHg
Humidity: 67.4
Sky: Overcast

Science and Technology Log

SEAMAP Summer Groundfish Survey
SEAMAP (Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program) started in 1982. According to NOAA Fisheries’ Summer and Fall Groundfish Surveys in the Gulf of America, these surveys provide long-term data that help monitor the health of the ecosystem in the Gulf in order to support sustainable fisheries management. SEAMAP surveying is done in the summer and in the fall and consists of over 300 stations (stops) throughout the Gulf, spanning from Texas to Florida.

Map of the Northern Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). The land is depicted all beige, with only the state borders visible. The water shows some bathymetric relief. An area along the coast, stretching from Texas to the tip of Florida and shaded in flat orange, depicts the survey area. — *The Summer and Fall Groundfish Survey combined collects data for over 80 days in the Northern Gulf of America per year, which is critical for fisheries managers. Credit: NOAA Fisheries*

This leg (Leg 3) of the survey will consist of survey points from Louisiana (Atchafalaya River) to northern Florida (north of Tampa Bay).

The scientists deploy a trawl net that sweeps near or on the ocean floor to collect the groundfish. This sampling shows a point in time of the Groundfish population throughout the northern area of the Gulf of America/Mexico.

crewmembers in hard hats, life vests, and gloves stand around a large net suspended from above the photo frame. they each reach toward the net; some are steadying it while others work to untie the bottom. five large plastic baskets are placed underneath the net, ready to receive the catch. it is nighttime. — NOAA Scientist Adam Pollack and NOAA Senior Survey Technician Stephanie Stabile pulling in the trawl net for sample collection.

Our first haul of this Leg took place at 2100 hours (9pm). We ended up with a collection weight of 24.179kg (53 pounds). Shrimp made up the predominant groundfish caught; total shrimp collection tipping the scales at 35 pounds!

There were four different species of shrimp collected within this sample; brown, pink, white, and mantis. The majority of the shrimp were brown shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) weighing in at 32 lbs. Next was 2.8 lbs of pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus duorarum). We collected a small sampling of white and mantis shrimp.

We sorted the shrimp into different taxa (types). The most telling difference between the brown and the pink shrimp is that the pink shrimp has a pink dot on its side.

a comparison of three shrimp species. title: Native Shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico. each species is accompanied by an illustration against a white background, and a list of identifying features. Brown shrimp: brown body, grooved on the back of the shell, tails usually have a purple or reddish purple band and green or red pigmentation. pink shrimp: pink body, dark colored spot on each side of the body, tail usually has a dark blue band rather than the purple band found on brown shrimp, grooved shell. white shrimp: light gray body with green coloration on the tail and a yellow band on the abdomen, no grooved shell, longer antennae than other shrimp (usually 2.5-3x longer than their body) — Native shrimp found in Alabama (Photo credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, taken from Alabama Cooperative Extension System website)

The white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus) is similar to the brown shrimp but has an iridescent tail. The mantis shrimp (Squilla empusa) has a sharp looking tail and is known as a ‘thumb splitter’. This made me quite leary of the shrimp at first, needless to say I was hesitant to handle the mantis shrimp (even though the ones we caught weren’t big enough to cause serious damage.)

After sorting the catch we measured and weighed the groundfish based on SEAMAP set parameters needed for data analysis. Criteria might include sending groundfish in for further testing and processing, while others groundfish populations might only require a certain number of the catch to be measured and weighed. For instance, of the shrimp caught 50 of each type were split between male and female then measured and weighed.

a brown shrimp, tail stretched out behind it, placed on a white fish measuring board. we can see the measuring board's name: Ichthystick. the shrimp stretched from about 40 to 60 cm. — Measuring the brown shrimp (*Farfantepenaeus aztecus)*.
Can you estimate her length?

Personal Log

Amelia, wearing a yellow hard hat and orange life vest, takes a selfie at the railing of NOAA Ship Oregon II. it is sunset, and the water is calm with small ripples. — First Day of School… at Sea!

Monday at 0900 hours, I boarded the ship and started my journey with NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program. I imagine that I felt pretty similar to how my students feel on the very first day of school: a mix of intense excitement and a little bit of nervousness!

The day started with a brief tour of the ship, where I met the Field Party Chief (FPC), Faith. Then, I attended an orientation led by the officers about the ship’s rules and expectations. Just like how teachers go over classroom rules and expectations on day one.

A lot of new terms, vocabulary, and acronyms were thrown our way. Luckily, I had done a little bit of preparation and learned some of the maritime language beforehand, even though I still have a lot to learn! Here are a few quick translations:

Berth=Bed/room
Head= Bathroom
Stern=Back of Ship
Bow=Front of Ship
Muster= Meeting area for roll call

Next, we participated in two of the three required safety drills. The first was a fire drill. Instead of evacuating the vessel (leaving the ship), the science team mustered at the stern and awaited further instructions. This is similar to school fire drills, where we go to our designated area, take a headcount, and wait for further directions.

The next drill that we participated in was the “abandon ship” drill. We meet at our muster station with our lifevest and survival suit. The survival suit is made of neoprene and is designed to keep our body temperature stable so we don’t succumb to hypothermia before being rescued.

You might be wondering (as I did), how can someone get hypothermia in warm water?
While the water in the Gulf may be a nice 85℉, our bodies sit at 98.6℉. This means the ocean would slowly absorb your warmth and cause your core body temperature to drop. Check out this fact sheet on how to put on the survival suit (immersion suit) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/s3//2024-09/NOP-Observer-Immersion-Suit-2023.508.pdf

The third drill we learned about is the “mariner (man) overboard” drill. If someone were to end up in the water it is everyone’s job to stop, point directly at the person, and never take your eyes off them. This allows the crew to follow recovery procedures to save the mariner.

photo of a quarter-sized piece of paper slipped into a plastic holder mounted on a metal door. this is the emergency billet. It is titled: Sci Black, Amelia. Three sections, color-coded, show the different emergency codes and muster stations. — Assigned stations for drills.

After the drills, the science team returned to the dry lab, and I met the crew members I will be working alongside. The work rotations are split into two 12-hour shifts, day and night. I’ve been assigned day shift, working 11:30am to 11:30 pm.

We reached our first survey station at 2100 hours (9pm) and the real work began!

Did You Know?

NOAA Ship Oregon II uses sensors to report up to date weather data every hour. Follow along at https://www.windy.com/station/ship-wtdo?waves,27.501,-92.356,8,m:esbadxt to map my progress through the Gulf.

Speaking of sensors, I met Dorothy and Toto, right here on this ship! Check out my next blog to learn about Dorothy and Toto.

Adventure awaits!

Sources

July 7, 2026July 8, 2026

Guy Sturdevant: The Cave part 2, July 6, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Guy Sturdevant

Aboard Oscar Dyson

June 21 – July 15, 2026

Mission: Summer Pollock Acoustic Survey, Leg 2

Geographic Area of Cruise: Bering Sea, Alaska

Date: July 6, 2026

Weather Data from the Bridge

N 59.52° W 172.60 °, 0 AMSL

Conditions: Overcast, Seas at < 1’

Visibility: >5 NM

Wind: 90°/ 5 kt

Barometric Pressure 1016.1 mBar

Dry Bulb Temp: 45.3 ° F

Science Log

In my last post, we left off our acoustics 101 with the emergence of the first modern echosounders in the 1990s. Today, we will look at the current system aboard Oscar Dyson and learn how the science team can use their knowledge of acoustics to estimate fish populations. First, let’s look at the physical components that make up the EK80 echosounder system.

the EK80 echosounder system, which looks like a stack of black computer housings with cables sticking out of them — *Each frequency requires its own transceiver. These six transceivers are the heart of the EK80 echosounder.*

Transceiver – a combination of a transmitter and a receiver; in other words, it both produces an electrical pulse to be sent to the transducer and converts the backscattered signal into usable data a computer can understand. You can think of the transceiver as the electronic brain that manages all of the signal inputs and outputs.

Transducer – Just like you might plug a microphone into your laptop to record audio, each transceiver needs a transducer to first convert the electrical pulse into an acoustic pulse that is transmitted into the water, and to measure the acoustic backscatter that returns. You can actually see the transducers in the photo of the centerboard below. The transceivers measure frequencies ranging from 18 kHz (those really annoying mosquito ringtones that only young people can hear are around 18 kHz) to 330 kHz.

close-up view of a center board - normally mounted beneath the ship, but currently hoisted up in the air attached to some sort of crane. an arrow points out red circles at the base of the centerboard, identifying these as transducers

simple illustration of NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson with an arrow pointing out the acoustic centerboard, a panel sticking vertically downward from the hull of the ship

A) The red circles on the bottom of the centerboard are the faces of the transducers. These sensitive instruments are mounted at the lowest point of the ship to isolate them from the vessel’s noisy hull. (Photo credit: NOAA)

B) The acoustic centerboard protrudes well below the noisy hull-water interface. (Image: Annotation of illustration by The Scow.)

The Echogram

Once the transceivers process the acoustic backscatter, the data is displayed on a screen for interpretation.

screenshot of acoustic backscatter readings, represented as a color-coded dots, across several panels. a superimposed text box identifies the depth as 109.5 m. — There’s quite a lot going on here! Let’s break it down into smaller pieces so we can learn to look at the data like a scientist.

the previous image of acoustic backscatter readings is repeated here, now with annotation. six vertical panels are identified with different frequencies: 18 kilohertz, 38 kilohertz, 70, 120, 200, 330. along the base of these panels, Guy has added a two arrow ranging from "bigger reflectors" to the left to "smaller reflectors" to the right. An illustration of a cod is at the "bigger reflectors" end of the scale, while krill and copepods appear toward the right side of the range. on the left side of the backscatter panels, there are now a few words along the y-axis, identifying the Surface of the water; the "Munge" (using the mock up album cover) just beneath the surface, Fish question mark in the middle of the water column, and seabed. — Each of the six frequencies appears as a vertical section that scrolls from right to left as the vessel moves. The top of each plot represents the ocean surface, and the thick red layer near the bottom shows the seafloor. The space in between lets us look at what is below the ship! Weak backscatter appears blue; stronger backscatter appears yellow and even red.

Our old friend munge is making an appearance in this echogram! It is the heavy backscatter layer just beneath the surface that is strongest at 18 kHz. Lower in the water column, we see that most backscatter occurs at higher frequencies, with only sparse backscatter in the lower-frequency plots. Backscatter that is observed only at higher frequencies indicates smaller organisms, such as krill or copepods. Backscatter that appears across all frequencies is likely generated by fish.

As you spend more time looking at this scrolling echogram, you can begin to recognize patterns and draw reasonable inferences. Below are some examples of the variety you can see in just a few hours in the cave.

a close up view of three panels (three frequencies) of an acoustic backscatter plot, or echogram. an arrow points to a thin vertical patch of red to identify it as "probable schools of juvenile pollock" — *Younger pollock can gather in schools 20-40 meters tall that appear as very thin red ellipses.*

close-up view of panels of an echogram showing acoustic backscatter readings. an arrow points to blue dots in the 18 kilohertz panel and identifies them as possible dispersed adult pollock. — You can clearly see occasional reflectors on the 18 & 38 kHz channels; these may well correspond to adult fish. The only way to be certain is to trawl in an area that looks like this and see what the net brings up!

example of an echogram (acoustic backscatter plot) with very little shading and few dots. it is labeled "Nobody is home." — *We know that large fish like pollock return a relatively even acoustic signal across every channel that we look at; there do not appear to be any significant pelagic fish present in this echogram.*

Now that we can read echograms, we are ready to call for our first trawl! Come back next time to see what we data we can scoop up in “The Anatomy of a Midwater Trawl”.

Personal Log

Things aboard Oscar Dyson have settled into a routine. We travel along acoustic transects during daylight hours, stopping 2-3 times a day to do a midwater trawl. Routine doesn’t mean boring, though! Maintaining a ship of this size and complexity is more than enough to keep everyone busy. The checklist for this leg included checking on the smaller craft that service and support Oscar Dyson on her mission. Conditions cleared on 06/29, and the Peggy D, the workboat that lives on the starboard hero deck, was given a thorough check and taken for a 30-minute voyage.

a small boat with a blue hull attached to the deck of NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, in part by cables extending from davit arms. — *Peggy D secured to the aft hero deck of Oscar Dyson.*

a man and a woman in float coats and hard hats pose for a photo against the railing of the small boat as it churns away from NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson, visible on the horizon — *Peggy D secured to the aft hero deck of Oscar Dyson.*

Guy, wearing a life vest and neon green hard hat, takes a selfie on the small boat. we can see a woman in a float coat and hard hat sitting or crouching in the background, and a third person at the helm in the small boat's cabin. — *LCDR LeeAnn Keener and I enjoying the scenery.*

inside the small boat's cabin, Guy sits at the helm and another crewmember looks on. they both wear life vests and hard hats. — *LCDR LeeAnn Keener and I enjoying the scenery.*

first of three similar images: a person in a float coat and hard hat reaches a pole over the side of the small boat in motion

second of three similar images: a person in a float coat and hard hat reaches a pole over the side of the small boat in motion as a life preserver comes into view

Safety drills and practice are a part of the routine as well. ENGR Connor Rauch practices recovery during a man-overboard drill on Peggy D. In the case of an actual man overboard, the smaller vessels are used for recovery, as they can respond much more nimbly and are far safer in close quarters with a swimmer.

Wildlife

a very, very round fish, mouth agape, in a green plastic basket — *This smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) is just as surprised to see me as I am to see him.*

underside of the very, very round fish revealing its ventral suction disk — *This smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) is just as surprised to see me as I am to see him.*

July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Jennifer Widdig: Fair Winds and Following Seas, July 1, 2026

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Jennifer Widdig

Aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson

June 17 – June 30, 2026

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario
Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Weather Data from Oswego, New York

Latitude: 043^o27’N
Longitude: 076^o30’W
Sky Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Visibility: 9 miles
Wind speed: 2 knots
Wind direction: NE
Temperature: 78^oF
Humidity: 82%

Jen, wearing a Teacher at Sea hat, takes a selfie at the railing of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson. In the background, rather than water, we see the Port of Oswego: a dock lined with buildings, leading back to warehouses and storage tanks. — Port of Oswego before heading home

Science and Technology Log

Real-World Career Pathways at Sea

Before stepping aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, I assumed most of the crew would be scientists. While hydrography is certainly at the heart of the mission, I learned that it takes professionals from many different career fields to keep the ship operating safely and efficiently. In fact, many of the jobs on board connect directly to the career pathways offered where I teach, Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center.

screenshot of a website listing 12 course names with accompanying photos. examples of courses include automotive, culinary arts, electrical. — PRCTC’s list of programs (Credit: PRCTC)

screenshot of a website listing 11 course names with accompanying photos. examples of courses include health science, law and public safety, precision welding.

The survey technicians are responsible for collecting and processing hydrographic data using multibeam sonar, side-scan sonar, GPS, and specialized computer software. Their work combines engineering technology, robotics, and cyber security & networking.

The deck department operates cranes and davits, launches and recovers the survey boats, performs maintenance, handles lines during docking, and ensures the safe operation of the vessel. These careers require technical skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to safety which are qualities developed through career and technical education programs. Especially since we train our students in Lean Six Sigma.

a launch vessel, still attached by cables to davit arms, is lowered down the side of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson. Crewmembers in hard hats and life vests stand nearby or board the small vessel. — Bosun Alex Bischoff helping 2904 crew aboard

Behind the scenes, the engineering department keeps the ship running 24 hours a day. Engineers maintain the propulsion systems, generators, pumps, electrical systems, and countless pieces of equipment that allow the Thomas Jefferson to complete its mission. Students pursuing careers in diesel technology, industrial maintenance, electrical trades, or advanced manufacturing would recognize many of the same hands-on skills used every day aboard ship.

The bridge is staffed by NOAA Corps officers, who are responsible for safely navigating the ship, supervising survey operations, managing personnel, and making operational decisions. Their careers combine leadership with navigation, meteorology, technology, project management and safety. These officers work very similarly to the students in the Public Safety course at PRCTC.

at least 8 NOAA Corps officers, wearing navy blue uniforms and hats, stand in a line on the bridge of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson. They all face out the windows, away from the camera; some look down at screens and instruments on the bridge. — Officers working the bridge on NOAA Ship *Thomas Jefferson*

Even the steward department plays a vital role. Preparing three meals a day for a crew working long hours requires planning, organization, food safety knowledge, inventory management, and culinary skills. The galley keeps morale high and ensures everyone has the energy needed to perform demanding work much like our commercial foods program.

The Thomas Jefferson also relies on electronics, communications, information technology, logistics, administration, and medical support. Every member of the crew contributes specialized skills that allow the ship to operate as a single, coordinated team.

One of the biggest takeaways from this experience is that there isn’t just one pathway to working aboard a ship like the Thomas Jefferson. Whether your interests are welding, diesel technology, engineering, information technology, culinary arts, electronics, leadership, or science, there is a place where those skills can make a difference.

As a teacher at Pickaway-Ross CTC, this experience has given me real-world examples to bring back to my classroom. Now I can point to an entire ship where technical skills, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are used every single day. Career and technical education doesn’t just prepare students for jobs, it also prepares them for opportunities they may have never imagined, including serving aboard a NOAA hydrographic survey vessel.

Clearing the Way

While the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson is best known for charting U.S. waters, the ship can also play a critical role in responding to natural disasters.

In 2017, after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Thomas Jefferson was deployed to help restore safe navigation to the region. Using its multibeam sonar and side-scan sonar systems, the crew surveyed ports and waterways to identify underwater hazards and ensure safe passage for the U.S. Coast Guard, relief vessels, and other emergency responders. Because so many essential supplies reach the islands through these ports, reopening them quickly was vital to the recovery effort.

Over the course of just three weeks, the Thomas Jefferson surveyed 13 areas, including more than 18 ports, helping authorities safely resume maritime traffic.

a nautical chart of the water surrounding Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 13 boxed map insets show enlarged views of survey areas and the color-coded shading of depth measurements. these surveyed areas represent all the major ports. there are three photos also superimposed on the map: one of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson and two of survey launch vessels. — Areas surveyed by NOAA Ship *Thomas Jefferson* after Huricane Maria in 2017 (Credit: NOAA)

One of the ship’s greatest strengths is its ability to operate independently. With a crew of 38, the Thomas Jefferson can remain at sea for several weeks without relying on outside support, making it an ideal platform for extended emergency response missions. Its two survey launches, 2903 and 2904, further enhance its capabilities by allowing crews to survey shallow waters and areas where storm debris may have accumulated.

Learning about the Thomas Jefferson‘s role after Hurricane Maria gave me a broader perspective on hydrography. Before this experience, I mainly associated nautical charting with supporting everyday navigation. Seeing how these same surveying skills and technologies can be used to assess storm damage, clear ports, and help restore critical shipping routes showed me just how important this work is. It is another example of how the crew’s expertise extends far beyond routine charting operations.

Personal Log

Unfortunately, I am on my way home. However, I want to share a few last memories from this experience.

The Crew’s Greatest Challenge

I had started to think the crew aboard the Thomas Jefferson was almost flawless, then game night happened.

Communication on the bridge during unfavorable conditions is exceptional. Navigating video games? Not so much.

four men and two women sit around a table covered in a blue table cloth and lines of condiment bottles. the wall behind them is wallpapered in nautical charts. there is a large tv screen mounted on this wall above their heads. — Crew working on their communication skills during game night

The Commanding Officer remained calm, cool, and collected through two weeks of transiting the Welland Canal, changing weather, and demanding survey operations. Yet during game night, I caught a glimpse of what looked like a silent question in the CO’s eyes: “Is this really my crew?” as everyone demonstrated their less-than-stellar teamwork in a video game. I also learned that it is, in fact, possible to earn negative points.

The evening was filled with unforgettable comments like, “I have steak on the starboard quarter!” followed by, “Fish pasta, aye!” and “Who keeps putting the fire extinguisher on the stove?” Somehow, those made perfect sense in the middle of the chaos. And no game night would be complete without a few “passionate” debates over the official rules of Scrabble.

Crew demonstrating teamwork skills during game night

As entertaining as the games were, my favorite part was seeing this side of the crew. After watching them work with such precision and professionalism every day, it was refreshing to see the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer relax alongside everyone else. For a few hours, ranks took a back seat to friendly competition, laughter, and good-natured teasing. It was a wonderful reminder that the strong teamwork I had witnessed throughout the mission is built not only through hard work, but also through shared moments like these.

at least 8 people in a room at two different tables; the back table is focused on the video game displayed on a large monitor mounted on the wall, and the table in the foreground has a scrabble game. — Crew of NOAA Ship *Thomas Jefferson* at game night

Sharing the Mission

An exciting part of my journey home was getting the chance to share my experience aboard the Thomas Jefferson with people I met along the way. My Uber driver and the hotel front desk attendant were both curious about why I had been on a NOAA ship, which gave me the opportunity to explain the mission of the Thomas Jefferson and the important work the crew does to create accurate nautical charts and ensure safe navigation. They both had said they had lived here all their lives and never saw a boat like that in the port or knew that the lake was not surveyed. After spending time with the crew, I found myself proudly talking about their work and the dedication it takes to accomplish such an important mission.

Mission Complete

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Commanding Officer Kidd and Executive Officer Duffy for welcoming me aboard and giving me the opportunity to be part of this incredible experience.

I also want to thank the entire crew for making me feel at home from day one. Everyone was so welcoming, patient, and willing to answer my endless questions. A special thank you goes to the survey technicians, who took the time to explain everything to me slowly and more than once when needed. Their patience and enthusiasm for their work made it easy to appreciate the science and technology behind every survey.

two women wearing life vests stand near the railing of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson facing out toward the water, opposite the camera. a metal frame containing the conductivity, temperature, and depth probe is partially visible on the deck in front of the woman on the right. a pully on a beam extends into the photo from the right, over the women's heads, and rope hangs on either side of the pully. the sky and water are bright blue. — Chief Scientist Sarah Thompson explaining the Sea-Bird CTD proceedures

I also want to thank my roommate, Junior Officer Bridget Ruiz, for making life aboard so enjoyable. Thank you for your friendship, the great conversations, and for making me feel at home while we were at sea. Sharing this adventure with you made the experience even more memorable.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been assigned to NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson. I have a much deeper appreciation for the important work this crew does. More importantly, I am returning home excited to share what I have learned with my students. I hope that through these stories, they will discover careers they may have never considered and see that science can lead to adventures far beyond the classroom.

Fair winds and following seas, Thomas Jefferson. Thank you for an unforgettable journey.