NOAA Teacher at Sea
Laura Grimm
Aboard NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson
July 4 – July 22, 2022
Mission: Hydrographic Survey of Lake Erie
Geographic Area of Cruise: Lake Erie
Date: July 16, 2022
Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 14ᵒ 13.8’ N
Longitude: 080ᵒ 12.6’ W
Sky Conditions: Scattered clouds
Visibility: 10+ miles
Wind Speed: 9.8 knots
Wind Direction: 212ᵒ SW
Lake Temperature: 23.0 ᵒC
Wave Height: 1 ft.
Dry Bulb: 20.6 ᵒC
Wet Bulb: 16.5 ᵒC
Calculated Relative Humidity: 56 %
Science and Technology Log
There is a lot of technology used in the science of hydrography. Each system and software have a monitor that needs to be checked and manipulated to be sure good data is being acquired. I like to call this array of monitors the “Eyes of the Beast”. At the Acquisition Desk, one can see what each of 10-15 cameras, software programs, navigational systems, and sensors are doing.
A description of what each monitor is connected to will occur below the diagram. I will refer to each monitor by letter.
A = This is where you will find a suite of security-like cameras on the fantail (deck at the stern or back end of the ship) that monitor various pieces of equipment. These include the MVP (Moving Vessel Profiler) and the (SSS) Side Scan Sonar. The MVP and the SSS are attached to different winches on the stern and can be used at the same time. We are currently not using the SSS because the water that is being surveyed is too shallow. The TJ will often use the SSS between 25-40 meters of water. We are surveying water with the MVP that is between 10-20 meters deep.
B = The monitor shows what is going on with a software called “Hypack”. This displays data that has been processed (it is blue and green in this picture) and coverage of data being collected real-time that has yet to be processed (yellow). Blue = water that is between 22-25 meters of depth; Green = water that is between 10-22 meters of depth. It also has the nautical chart displayed in the background showing water (light blue) and land (tan). It helps hydrographers visually keep track of what data has been taken and what still needs to be completed.
C & D = These are currently not conveying any information. They can be used when other sensors like the SSS and a different Multibeam Echo Sounder, referred to as the EM 710 (pronounced “seven-ten”), are in use.
Warning! Warning! Nerd Alert! –
- The MBES that we are currently using to acquire data is more technically called the EM 2040 (pronounced “twenty-forty”). It uses between 200-400 kilohertz (kHz) of sound energy. One kHz equals one 1000 hertz (1000 Hz). Therefore, 200 kHz = 200,000 Hz. A hertz is a measurement of frequency of sound or how quickly a wave of sound moves past a fixed point. 1 hertz = 1 cycle per second. The EM 2040 can measure as deep as 300 meters. It is for higher resolution of images in shallow water.
- The EM 710 emits sound energy in the range of 70-100 kHz. It is used to survey deeper waters and can image as deep as 2300 meters. The resolution is lower than the 2040.
- Increasing kHz = use in shallow water with more resolution
- Decreasing kHz = use in deeper water with less resolution
E = This monitor is also linked to the Hypack software. It is used to plan the survey (what “lines” to drive), show the real-time acquisition of data, and help to communicate with the bridge – letting them know where to go next. There is constant conversation between the bridge and the hydrographers in the survey room. They frequently discuss what line should the ship go to next. They also talk over the width of the lines with respect to sonar coverage (and adjust them accordingly) and plan what will happen when there are small fishing vessel or other obstructions (buoys, primarily) in the area.
F = MVPs actions and controls are shown on this monitor. The Hydrographer in Charge (HIC) can also keep an eye on the MVP by looking at camera monitor “A” explained above.
G = This is the monitor for the Positioning & Attitude System (POS). It provides information with respect to the ship’s position (latitude and longitude), its direction and how it is “sitting” in the water.
Meet the Crew – Erin Cziraki (CHST)
There is a soft spoken, ever pleasant Chief Hydrographic Survey Technician (CHST), who is great at taming the “beast”. Her name is Erin Cziraki. She supervises the survey department that is comprised of 6 members, makes the watch schedules, oversees training, is a mentor to new hydrographers as they work through their first project, compiles a lot of data for reports, and has various other administrative duties. She also stands watch at the data acquisition desk and serves as a substitute when needed. If you need assistance with trouble shooting technical problems or answers to questions regarding hydrographic data, Erin is your go to person! She is very knowledgeable, competent, and approachable.
How long have you been with NOAA? Please explain your school and career path. Erin went to college at Coastal Carolina University and majored in marine science. Her major included classes in marine chemistry, geology, physical oceanography, physical geography, and biology. After graduation, she was unable to secure employment in the field of marine science, so she entered the field of veterinarian medicine. She worked as the customer service supervisor of a veterinarian hospital for 5 years. The dream of working in marine science was ever present, so she went back to school at the local community college to obtain a degree in marine technology after which she got a job with NOAA. She has worked as a hydrographic scientist for four years.
What do you do when you are off the ship? Do you have any hobbies? Erin enjoys scuba diving (in fact, she is an instructor) and enjoys traveling.
You are a role model for others when it comes to following your dream. Thank you, Erin, for your expertise, attention to detail, and service to NOAA.
Literary Connection
Earlier this summer, I read The Lobster Chronicles by Linda Greenlaw. I came across a real-life reason for hydrographic surveys! Read this account of an early 1900s shipwreck off the coast of Maine.
“Soon they were in the midst of a howling northeaster, and a blinding snow squall. It was then that the captain decided, for the safety of his crew and vessel, which were both being wracked by the storm, to try to find safe harbor, a lee from the seas that threatened to pound men and boat to pieces. The southwestern and leeward shore of this mountainous island would have been the ideal place to anchor and wait out the gale, if it hadn’t been for the ledges that peppered the area. From Western Ear to Trail Point, vicious ledges lay just beneath the surface, while other boldly poke their heads above. These remote outcroppings of rocky peaks are surrounded by deceivingly deep water; some rocks are as far as a mile from the coast. The men, convinced that they were doomed if they remained at sea, took their chances at navigating the treacherous gauntlet.”
If only the captain had had access to a NOAA hydrographic survey of the area! He could have navigated the island safely and all souls aboard would have been saved! (Spoiler alert: they all swam to shore safely although they almost froze to death in the frigid waters!)
There are LOTS of books about adventures at sea at your local public library! One of my favorites is The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. Check it out!
For the little Dawgs . . .
Q: Where is Dewey today? Hint: It is important to visit this room to keep your clothes fresh and clean.
A: Dewey is in the laundry room. There are two washers and dryers available to the crew . . . soap and fabric softener are provided. We are asked to only wash full loads and not to use the washer when we are in heavy seas (periods of time when the waves are big).
Personal Log
One of the questions I have received from my family is, “What is your day like? How do you spend your time?” Well, each day, we receive a Plan of the Day (POD) from the Operations Officer (OPS). It is a schedule of what is happening on ship that day. It also assigns you your watch or duties. I use this information to plan my personal schedule. A typical day for me might look like the following (I will be stating times using a 24-hour clock):
0510 – Rise and Shine
0530 – Report to my watch as a Hydrographer in Charge in Training (HIC-IT) at the Acquisition Station in the Plot Room
0730 – my watch is over, and it is time for breakfast
0800 through 1130 – I usually work on my blog post, interview crew members, hang out on the Bridge, do whatever it takes to learn about all aspects of living and working on Thomas Jefferson. There are often meetings scheduled for the morning that I am not expected to attend.
1130 – Lunch
1200 through 1630 – I attend various safety training sessions, observe what others are doing on the ship (like yesterday when I watched the Ensigns training in the Fast Rescue Boat), safety drills, work on blog posts, etc. This is also the time when I work out in the Exercise Room, take a shower, and/or do laundry.
1630 – Dinner
1700-1930 – Continue the work that was started earlier in the day, read, play a card game, enjoy looking out at the lake, or sometimes we have a “Morale Event” like BINGO or a movie. If we have good cell phone coverage, I call my family.
1930 – Bedtime!
It is a full day! Everyday is different, and you can be sure I am learning tons and making friends. To be honest, sometimes I forget that I am on a ship, especially when the waves are small.
Ship Joke of the Day
Q: What do you call a boat owned by a bunch of football players?
A: Sportsman-ship!