NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jamie Morris
Aboard NOAA Ship Nancy Foster
April 19 – May 1, 2014
Mission: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Southeast Regional Ecosystem Assessment
Geographical Area of Cruise: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS)
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Weather Data from the Bridge
Weather: Clear
Visibility: 10 nautical miles
Wind: 12 knots
Swell Waves: 1-2 feet
Air Temperature: 66.2ºF
Seawater Temperature: 64.8ºF
Science and Technology Log
Due to rough seas, we were not able to depart on Sunday. We waited until yesterday when the waves were only 3 feet at times (much better than 8 feet on Sunday). It took us 5 hours to travel from Savannah to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS). Once we arrived at the sanctuary, machines were calibrated and we began mapping the seafloor. The mapping will take 3 days running 24 hours a day. We are currently “mowing the lawn.” We started at one end of the sanctuary and are traveling in a straight line across to the other side of the sanctuary. Once we reach the edge of the sanctuary the ship turns around and we return to the other side slightly overlapping the previous path. The goal is to map the entire Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS).
The seafloor is being mapped using a multibeam sonar. Multibeam sonar involves sending out 512 sound waves at once at different angles. The sound waves bounce off of the seafloor and are reflected back to receivers on the ship. There are a series of computer programs that uses the information to calculate the distance the wave traveled (depth of the ocean) and generate an image.
The scientists and technicians need to avoid errors while mapping and therefore need to account for the tides, the differences in the temperature and salinity of the water as well as sound velocity. There are several tools and computer programs used to avoid errors and adjust any differences. One of these tools is the CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Density). The CTD is deployed off of the back of the ship. It is sent down a cable to the seafloor. As it descends it is gathering data and sending the data to a computer in the lab. The scientists and technicians make adjustments to the computer programs using this data and can compensate for again changes in the water column.
For a detailed description of Multibeam sonar, please visit: http://graysreef.noaa.gov/science/expeditions/2013_nancy_foster/multibeam.html
Several other projects will be conducted on this mission as well, but most will not begin until Thursday when the dive team arrives. These will include Marine Debris Surveys, Lionfish Removal, Sea Turtle data collection, and Fish Telemetry. In preparation for these projects, a small dive boat was just deployed off the ship. Chief Scientist, Sarah Fangman, with a few crew members went in the boat to test the marker drops. The divers will be looking for very specific sites. It is important to precisely mark the sites from the surface so that the divers will easily be able to find the spots or objects that they are looking for.
The Nancy Foster carries 3 small dive boats. The boats need to be lowered into the water using the crane located at the back of the ship. It is a group effort to deploy these boats. A member needs to operate the crane and four others use guide ropes to assist in lowering the boat. Once the boat is in the water, members need to crawl aboard using a rope ladder that is connected to the Nancy Foster.
I have quickly learned that the most important skill on the ship is teamwork. One person cannot do it all. From safety procedures to gathering data to the general functioning of the ship, you need to work together.
Did You Know?
When using Sonar, extra sound waves are generated. This was once thought to be background noise. Scientists now call this Backscatter and can analyze this data and determine that type of seafloor bottom or the sediment that is present (sandy, rippled, hard bottom).
Personal Log
Photo: Amy Rath
Happy Earth Day!!! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this beautiful planet than sitting out on the deck enjoying the vast ocean. Or by submitting a Selfie to NASA to participate in their Global Selfie Project to create an image of the earth using selfies from around the world.
I have been aboard the Nancy Foster for four days now. I arrived in pouring rain on Friday night so I did not really get to explore the ship that night. On Saturday, I assisted with an Open House on the Nancy Foster where the public was able to tour the ship. Members of the GRNMS including Chief Scientist Sarah Fangman, Acting Superintendent George Sedberry, and Communications and Outreach Coordinator Amy Rath led the tours. Financial and IT Coordinator Debbie Meeks, volunteer Marilyn Sobwick and I signed people up for the tours and discussed GRNMS, NOAA, and the upcoming mission with the public. It was a wonderful experience being able to meet new people and introduce them to the Nancy Foster and Gray’s Reef.
I was all ready to set sail on Sunday, but the weather had different plans. We were all boarded on the ship and the crew was making the final preparations when it was decided to postpone the trip. The waves were 8 feet tall at Gray’s Reef. The rough water would have made it impossible to create an accurate seafloor map. Since that was the only task we had, the trip was postponed.
We were able to set sail yesterday. It was a beautiful day, as it is today. It is gorgeous outside with warm weather and calm waves. I have found several wonderful spots to sit outside and enjoy the ocean.
Many of my students had several concerns about life on the ship. Living on the Nancy Foster is quite comfortable. I am staying in a four person stateroom. Right now I am
sharing it with Amy who is a great roommate. We each have our own bunk with a curtain for privacy. The bathroom, or Head as it is called on a ship, is down the hall. I do feel like I’m back in college sharing a bathroom. The Galley (or kitchen) and Mess (dining room) is directly across the hall. As for my students who were very concerned about food – I am eating VERY well. The Nancy Foster has 2 amazing stewards, Lito Llena and Bob Burroughs, who are wonderful chefs. Yesterday they made a Ginger Chicken Soup that was honestly the best soup I had ever had. Many crew members tell me that the Nancy Foster is one of the best fed ships. I can agree. As for entertainment, the ship has a gym, tv and games in the galley, and a Movie Room!
Some of my students were very concerned about my safety. NOAA Ships want to make sure everyone is prepared for any situation. They are required to conduct weekly drills and all members aboard must participate. We practiced what to do in a blackout situation or how to find your way if you have chemicals in your eyes. We did this by being blindfolding and finding your way out of ship or to an eyewash station. We also practiced an Abandon Ship drill. We had to put on our survival suits and get to our life rafts. I am glad we are prepared.
Photo: LT Colin Kliewer
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