NOAA Teacher at Sea
Mark Silverman
Onboard NOAA Ship Oregon II
November 11 – 13, 2011
Mission: Cancelled
I arrived safely in Pascagoula Mississippi. I was met by an awesome and enthusiastic group of scientists from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). Unfortunately I was told the ship had a problem with its water heater and the cruise may be in jeopardy. I had a tour of the lab and saw the OREGON II from the dock. All I could do was wait.
After several attempts at repair by the CO and crew, I was told that the heater was not repairable. A new heater was needed, and this was a lengthy process. To my great disappointment, the mission was scrubbed. I know all the scientists were equally saddened by the turn of events. I was to return home without sailing. I am sorry to bring this news to all my students and others who were following this Blog. It is no one’s fault, just the circumstances that occurred. I can only hope that I can join another NOAA TAS mission in the near future…
Signing Off,
Mark Silverman
Hi Mark,
Would you mind submitting your whale shark sighting photo from Japan to http://www.whaleshark.org? We would love to map the spots, ID the animal, and see if it has been sighted elsewhere in the Pacific.
Thanks,
Jason Holmberg
ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification Library