NOAA Teacher at Sea
Christine Hedge
Onboard USCGC Healy
August 7 – September 16, 2009
Mission: U.S.-Canada 2009 Arctic Seafloor Continental Shelf Survey
Location: Beaufort Sea, north of the arctic circle
Date: August 23, 2009
Weather Data
Lat: 810 48’N
Long: 1420 16’W
Temp: 33.890 F
Science and Technology Log
The official name of our ship is the United States Coast Guard Cutter Healy (USCGC Healy for short). There are 3 icebreakers in the Coast Guard fleet, Polar Star, Polar Sea, and the Healy. The homeport of all 3 icebreakers is Seattle, Washington. Healy is the newest icebreaker and because of her advanced technology, she can operate with half the crew of the Polar-class ships. The Healy was specifically built to do science research in the Arctic.
Here are some facts about this floating science laboratory:
- Length: 420 feet
- Top speed is 17 Knots
- 4 decks are dedicated to working and living quarters (berthing)
- Each berthing deck has a lounge with computers, library, TV and sitting area
- There are 2 workout centers, barber shop, helicopter pad, machine shop, and a laundry
- The ship has 4 diesel electric generators putting out an astounding 6,600 volts
- The fuel capacity is 1,220,915 gallons of diesel
- There are 4,200 square feet lab space, deck spaces and electronic winches dedicated to science
FOR MY STUDENTS: Can you convert knots to miles/hour? How fast can the Healy go?
On my tour of the ship I was struck by how much attention has been put onto safety and backup systems. For example, we are currently running on 2 engines. When ice is heavy we might need 3. But the Healy has 4 engines so that if one breaks down – the ship can still navigate safely through ice-covered waters. Another safety feature is that all the engineering functions are compartmentalized and separated with watertight and fireproof doors. If something goes wrong in one area (flood, fire) – that area can be closed off and the rest of the ship can carry on. Over the decades, ship builders have learned to design ships with such features to make life at sea safer for sailors.
Personal Log
Last night, the science party prepared and served dinner for everyone on the Healy. We decided that Jennifer Henderson, from Louisiana, would have the best flair for developing a unique menu. Our most excellent southern meal consisted of lentil soup, chicken and sausage jambalaya, shrimp and grits, okra and tomatoes, Caesar salad,
buttermilk cornbread and apple crisp. Christina Franco de Lacerda from Brazil came up with the Lentil soup and the apple crisp was my idea. There is nothing like working in the kitchen together to build camaraderie! The meal was delicious, the music was great, and a good time was had by all!
Today we sailed further north than I have ever been. As I watch our track on the map and watch the latitude climb, I get more and more excited. In the next few days we hope to travel even further north and hopefully see some multiyear ice and clearer skies. With less melted ice, there is less moisture in the atmosphere and therefore less chance of fog.
My students sent lots of questions last week and I really enjoyed answering them. Keep the questions coming!!!
perfect Caesar salad dressing.
