Leyf Peirce, July 14, 2004

Time: 10:00
Latitude: N 55°17.24
Longitude: W 160°32.17
Visibility: 6 nm

Wind direction: 060
Wind speed: 1 knots
Sea wave height: 0 – 1 foot
Swell wave height: —
Sea water temperature: 10.0 °C
Sea level pressure: 1009.3 mb
Air temperature: 11.7 °C
Cloud cover: 7/8

Science and Technology Log

This morning I went out on launch boat 1 to conduct shoreline hydrography. Shoreline research differs very much from the other research I have seen so far, for it does not require “mowing the lawn” lines. Instead, it is a technique that is used to check the data collected from the LIDAR (airplane) labs. As I learned earlier this week, the data collected using a laser from the airplane primarily focuses on the shoreline and depths up to 30 meters. Today, we went along the shoreline checking questionable data points such as rocks and shoals that may have been confused with kelp or other variances in data collection. In order to do this checking, the survey technicians and officers conducting the research look at the LIDAR chart the day before launching and determine where rocks might be misplaced or not including at all. During surveying, which is what we did today, the researchers take a boat with a single beam echo sounding system and go to the places of concern. With some one on the bow to look out for uncharted rocks, the captain then drives over the areas where there might or might not be a rock. Because all of this is done very close to shore, it is very important to drive slowly. There is also a lot of kelp that can get in the way. Once the boat has past over the area a few times, the true depth is recorded as well as the position and a note is made on the chart where any changes need to be made to the chart. A relatively simple procedure, this type of shoreline research is critical for anyone planning to go on shore on any of these islands. Once again I was able to see how important this work is!

Personal Log

My morning was spent on the launch boat doing shoreline surveying. While the technology used was fascinating, I still did not hesitate to wonder at the naturally beauty of these islands. Almost completely uninhabited, these islands host wildflowers, puffin, gulls, and an occasional seal basking on a sandy or rocky beach. The green slopes are sharply cut by dramatic cliffs, creating a feeling of comfort and adventure at the same time. With the clouds dancing across these islands, I almost felt like I was about to see a dinosaur emerge from one of the cliffs—this looks very much like Hollywood’s rendition of “Jurassic Park”! This afternoon I plan on working on more lesson plans as well as a possible journey on another shoreline survey boat.