NOAA Teacher at Sea
David Walker
Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II
June 24 – July 9, 2015
Mission: SEAMAP Bottomfish Survey
Geographical Area of Cruise: Gulf of Mexico
Date: Friday, June 26, 2015
Weather Data from the Bridge
Weather was quite calm on Days 1 and 2. As noted in the above weather log, the only real disturbance was a small squall (SQ) observed at 7 AM on Day 2. Sky conditions are estimated in terms of how many eighths of the sky are covered in cloud, ranging from 0 oktas (completely clear sky) through to 8 oktas (completely overcast). FEW in the above log represents 1-2 oktas of cloud coverage. SCT represents 3-4 octas, and BKN represents 5-7 oktas.
Science and Technology Log
I have been assigned the night watch, which runs from 12 midnight to 12 noon. Accordingly, on Day 1, I went to sleep around 2 PM and woke up around 10 PM to prepare for watch. My first day consisted mostly of general groundfish biodiversity survey work, one of the focuses during the summer being on shrimp species. Data collection points have been randomly plotted throughout the Gulf, and data is collected via trawling the seafloor, which consists of the boat pulling a fishing net behind the boat, along the seafloor, for a predetermined length of time. To allow for collection along the seafloor, the net has rollers on the bottom. The net also contains a “tickler chain” to stir up organisms (mainly shrimp) from the seafloor, so that they can be captured with the net. The trawl catch is transferred to the boat, where the following steps are completed:
1. The total catch is weighed.
2. The catch is run along a belt, and the three significant shrimp species (white, brown, and pink) are taken out and saved. In addition, multiple unbiased samples are taken from the catch and saved. The sample should contain at least one of each species encountered in the catch.
3. The entire taken sample is sorted by species.
4. Individuals within each species are counted.
5. Length, weight, and gender are recorded for shrimp individuals within a significant species (white, brown, and pink).
6. Length measurements are taken for all other species individuals within the sample. Weight and gender are recorded for one individual out of every five within a species, for species other than shrimp.
7. Everything is returned to the ocean.
On Day 1, we completed the above process for 4 separate catches. Aside from my lack of knowledge, the only other mishap was that my middle finger accidentally got pinched by a fairly large Atlantic Blue Crab. I was amazed at the amount of force of the pinch, as well as the amount of pain caused. I ended up having to break the crab’s claw off in order to free myself.
Also on Day 1, I got to observe the CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) sensor in action. A CTD’s “primary function is to detect how the conductivity and temperature of the water column changes relative to depth” (NOAA). The salinity of the seawater can be determined from this conductivity and temperature data. On the Oregon II, the CTD also contains a dissolved oxygen sensor for measuring levels of dissolved oxygen in the seawater. In addition, the CTD is housed in a larger metal frame (called a “rosette”) with water bottles, allowing for sampling at various depths. Various data collection points have been randomly plotted throughout the gulf, and data collection consists of sending the CTD (+ dissolved oxygen sensor and water bottles) to and from the ocean floor. The photo at right shows the data output – the y-axis represents water depth, temperature is recorded in blue (two data points taken at each scan), salinity is recorded in red, and dissolved oxygen is recorded in green (2 data points taken at each scan). The ocean floor was at a very shallow depth (between 10 and 20 meters) for all sampling done on Day 1.
On Day 2, we completed more shrimp survey work and CTD sampling. I also got to participate in a plankton survey at the beginning of my shift. This entailed dropping two fine-mesh nets into the water – a dual-bongo and a neuston – and dragging them through the water to collect plankton. The dual-bongo is lowered to a predetermined depth, while the neuston remains at the surface. Obtained plankton is transferred to a jars with salt water and formaldehyde (for preservation) and sent to a lab in Poland (with which NOAA has a partnership) where it is categorized, measured, etc.
Personal Log
I have already met all of the scientific personnel and most of the other core and crew on the ship. Andre Debose is the Field Party Chief, and he heads up all scientific operations on the ship. The Executive Officer of the ship is Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Eric Johnson, a NOAA Corps Officer. These are the two people who approve of all of my blog posts before I submit them to NOAA. The night watch (12 AM – 12 PM) consists of me, Kevin Rademacher, Warren Brown, and Alfonso Hamilton (watch leader). The day watch (12 PM – 12 AM) consists of Adam Catasus, Jeffrey Zingre, Joey Salisbury, and Michael Hendon (watch leader). CJ Duffie completes his watch from 6 AM to 6 PM. Adam, Jeffrey, and CJ are volunteer graduate students from Florida. This is their first NOAA research cruise, but they have already completed a two-week leg, so they know much more than I do. Alfonso, Kevin, Warren, Adam, and Joey are all seasoned NOAA veterans, have completed many years of research cruises, and have a wealth of knowledge.
My stateroom is quite nice. There is sufficient storage space for all of my clothing and equipment, such that I am able to keep most everything off of the floor. I am rooming with Joey Salisbury (I have top bunk), but as Joey is on the day shift, we do not see too much of each other. I am quite paranoid about not waking up on-time, so I tethered my cell phone to a pipe on the boat, directly above my head. This way, the phone alarm blares directly toward my face, and there is no danger of my phone falling off of the bunk.
I have not yet experienced any seasickness, although I am still taking preventative medication every day. Andre noted before we left that ginger helps with seasickness, so I brought some ginger ale and ginger cookies.
The food served on the ship is amazing, definitely much more than what I was expecting. There are multiple course options for each meal, and everything I have had so far has been exceptional. The highlight was the made-to-order omelet that I had for breakfast after 7 hours of sorting and measuring fish.
Notably, I also got to experience two boat safety drills on Day 1 – a fire drill, and an abandon ship drill. For the abandon ship drill, I got to try on my survival suit. It is made out of neoprene, so in that regard it reminds me of fly fishing waders. However it feels quite claustrophobic once you put your arms in it and zip it
halfway up your face. I needed much assistance in putting it on.
Did You Know?
NOAA has a Commissioned Service, one of the seven Uniformed Services of the United States. The NOAA Corps consists only of Commissioned Officers (i.e. no enlisted personnel or Warrant Officers). The Corps first became a Commissioned Service in 1917, during World War I, as the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps. In 1965, this Corps was renamed the Environmental Science Services Administration Commissioned Corps, and in 1970, was again renamed the NOAA Corps (Source — NOAA).
Notable Species Seen
