NOAA Teacher at Sea
Amy Pearson
Onboard NOAA Ship Delaware II
August 13 – 30, 2007
Mission: Ecosystem Monitoring Survey
Geographical Area: North Atlantic Ocean
Date: August 17, 2007
Weather Data from the Bridge
Air temp: 21.7
Water temp: 24.3
Wind direction: variable
Wind speed: variable
Sea wave height: 4kts.
Visibility: 2 nm
Science and Technology Log
Slept till 9:30 though woke several time during the night. Much bigger rolling than before. Had a banana and some coffee cake for breakfast, after taking a shower and putting in a load of wash. Lay down for about an hour, then moved wash to dryer, ate a little lunch, half a burger, asparagus, and a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie. Have been working on logs and then to laundry – good news is the laundry chemicals got out most of the grease that I got on my shorts. This is a working ship and one does get dirty!
The crew said there had been some lightning this morning, and it was raining lightly at 10a.m. Several things to record on boat life – floor is sometimes not where you think it is, hold on to railings…including the shower which does have railings.
Getting out of my lower bunk continues to be a challenge. I am not big but the opening requires planning to exit the bed! We have been told some rough weather is on the way for later today. Deployment of scientific equipment is halted if seas are over 12 ft. and winds are 30 knots. Today’s first station for me was at 5 p.m. This timing went well and we were able to eat dinner when it was served. I made some photo transfers with Kim Pratt, the other teacher, and did more log work as well as email. Two more stations to work—I’m on deck for the later two. Our last station was at 10:45 p.m., and I was able to sleep at about 12:00 a.m. Very fortunate to get a good night’s sleep! Did not notice any rough weather!
The other nice discoveries are the bright lights on deck for night sampling and rock and roll music we hear when on deck. Lots of good oldies!