NOAA Teacher at Sea
Nick Lee
Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson
June 29 – July 20, 2024
Mission: Pollock Acoustic-Trawl Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Bering Sea
Date: July 2, 2024
Weather Data from the Bridge:
Latitude: 59° 54.8 N
Longitude: 171° 54.9 W
Wind Speed: 14 knots
Air Temperature: 5.0° Celsius (41° F)
Science and Technology Log:
We’ve been sailing for just under two days, and I’ve already had an opportunity to witness lots of science aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson!
We spent the first day transiting to the start of the survey – I am part of Leg 2 for this cruise, and so we are picking up where Leg 1 left off. Since we won’t be able to find every pollock in the Bering Sea, we will need to rely on a representative sample, and then our data will be used to estimate the total stock.
The map below shows the intended path of our cruise, and the vertical lines represent transects, or lines along which we will collect data, spaced 40 nautical miles (or 74 km) apart so that we can cover the entire region with the time we have. Since we just recently arrived at the start of our survey, I’m still learning about the different data the science team will be collecting – more on that in a future blog post!
On our way to our survey site, I was able to launch a drifter buoy through NOAA’s Adopt-a-Drifter Program. Unlike some other buoys, a drifter buoy is not fixed to the ocean floor. Instead, they float and “drift” with the ocean currents. Importantly, drifters are equipped with some sort of drogue – an underwater anchor. This way, the surface float (and the drogue) will move with ocean currents, but won’t be influenced as much by wind.
Deploying a drifter is as simple as dropping it into the ocean! I was able to deploy our first drifter last night off the stern (back of the ship). Our drifter was wrapped in biodegradable packaging for a safe deployment, but once in the water it should have opened up and extended to its full length.
Once deployed, the drifter transmits its location via satellite, and scientists are able to use this data to better understand ocean currents. You can track my drifter’s trajectory here!
In addition to a GPS that tracks location, drifters are often equipped with sensors for temperature, pressure, salinity, and more. Below is the path my drifter took in its first day after deployment, and the sea temperatures it encountered.
I also was able to observe the deployment of a CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) sensor. CTD measure some of the same properties as drifters, but CTDs are lowered down into the water and then raised back into the boat. This means that CTDs only collect data at one geographic location at a time, however, they collect data throughout the entire water column, from the surface down to the ocean floor (~80 meters at our last deployment). CTDs can also collect water samples at different depths, allowing scientists to study them further. NOAA has a great resource on CTDs here!
Personal Log:
When I applied to NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program, I was told that one thing that was required of all its participants was flexibility. This is especially true for cruises leaving from Dutch Harbor, where bad weather and flight cancellations are common. On this leg, a series of travel delays meant that we left port a day later than expected. However, this meant that I was able to spend some time exploring Dutch Harbor!
Dutch Harbor is one of the most remote and beautiful places I’ve ever visited. During my wanderings around the town, I spotted whales, a fox, and plenty of bald eagles. Alaska’s military history is also apparent in the hills surrounding Dutch Harbor, which are full of World War II bunkers.
Since we left port, there’s been a lot to adjust to about living on a ship. The ship is a bit of a maze – lots of narrow hallways and hidden staircases. After making a lot of wrong turns, I’m starting to get a sense of the layout.
Work happens on the ship at all hours of the day – I’ve been assigned the night shift (4 pm – 4 am), so as a natural morning person, I’ve completely changed my sleep schedule! Because someone is always working, that also means that someone is always trying to sleep, so I’ve learned to be careful about not letting doors slam behind me.
This morning, we practiced our first set of safety drills. To simulate what would happen if we needed to abandon ship, everyone was required to don a survival suit (also called a “Gumby suit”). It was quite a process to put on the suit – luckily one of the other scientists, Mike, gave me some pointers ahead of time!
I’m looking forward to learning more about life at sea over the next few weeks!
Did You Know?
NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson was named after an Alaskan fisherman and activist who worked to improve the industry for other Alaskans (https://www.omao.noaa.gov/marine-operations/ships/oscar-dyson )
A few links to the drifter program would be great as would a link to how a drifter is made and the technology behind them.
Keep up the good work helping/teaching kids
NOAA has some really good resources on their Adopt-a-Drifter program page:
https://www.adp.noaa.gov/