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.
OREGON II at the Pascagoula, Miss. SEFSC dock awaiting repair.
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…
NOAA Teacher at Sea Mark Silverman Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II November 11 – 21, 2011
Hi. My name is Mark Silverman and I will be sailing aboard the Oregon II beginning November 11, 2011. I am a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelors of Science in Zoology. I am an avid fisherman, snorkeler and SCUBA diver and a general outdoor enthusiast with a great love for the ocean and a fascination with all types of science.
Diving in the Kerama Islands off Okinawa Japan last summer.
I am currently teaching Chemistry at Homestead Senior High School, Homestead, FL. Homestead Sr. serves about 2500 9-12 graders, a mix of urban and rural populations, at the the extreme southern tip of the Florida mainland. I have been teaching since 1985, the last 16 years at Homestead Senior.
In my classroom.
South Florida is a unique environment in the U.S. The climate is subtropical and many unique animals and plants are found here that are found nowhere else on the U.S. mainland. We are surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, Florida Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. Two national parks, Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, bound the east and west sides of Homestead. Additionally, the northern terminus of the only living coral barrier reef adjacent to the U.S. mainland is found off our coast. So, you can easily see why the ocean is so important to our way of life. Ocean and climate literacy is extremely important in South Florida and as such I’m very excited to be participating soon in my second Teacher at Sea adventure! Since I will be sailing during the school year this time, my students will be more even intimately involved than in the past.
That’s me “surfing” a whale shark this summer off of Tori in Okinawa, Japan!! ( I was not actually riding or injuring the animal in anyway…just a cool photo angle). Photo by: Chad Galvez
For those of you new to Teacher at Sea and Teacher at NOAA, I would like to share a little. NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is responsible for a wide variety of important functions, throughout the United States and the world, related to oceans, weather, and climate, including, but not limited to creating weather reports, tracking hurricanes, studying long-term climate, mapping the sea floor, creating nautical charts, studying fisheries with sustainable use as the goal, and managing MPA‘s (Marine Protected Areas). NOAA Teacher at Sea is a program that promotes Ocean and Climate Literacy and NOAA career opportunities by allowing educators to participate in actual scientific research aboard research vessels and then bring back what they have experienced and learned to their classrooms. I was a Teacher at Sea for the first time in the summer of 2006 aboard the NASA Ship MV FREEDOM STAR, where I assisted with a grouper and lionfish survey off the southeast coast of the United States (Yes, lionfish, a non-native species, but more about that later).
On the bridge of the NASA ship MV FREEDOM STAR in 2006.
After being involved with the development of NOAA Teacher in the Lab in 2007, I spent two summers, 2009 and 2010 at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) on Virginia Key, Florida, as a pilot Teacher in the Lab. There, I worked under the direction of Dr. Trika Gerard in the Early Life History Lab. My work included identifying, counting, and sorting juvenile fish samples from Brewer’s Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The second summer I also extracted otoliths (ear bones…I will tell you more about otolith chemisty in the near future too) and prepared them for radioisotope analysis. Subsequently the lab group hosted my students on several occasions during a fantastic field trip! Working with Dr. Gerard, her lab manager Estrella Malca, and the many other professional scientists at SEFSC was a unique and wonderful experience which gave me a true insight into the work they do on a daily basis. While I was there in 2010, the BP Gulf Oil spill crisis was going on. Although this was a truly tragic event, watching these professionals mobilize in a crisis was an incredibly exciting and fascinating experience!
Snapper otolith after extraction and cleaning.Extracting otoliths at NOAA SEFSC Juvenile and Larval Fishes lab in 2010.Sorting and identifying fish samples at SEFSC in 2009.
I truly look forward to another great experience with NOAA TAS!! I will be sailing out of Pascagoula, Mississippi aboard the NOAA ship Oregon II, a 170 foot trawler, set up as a fisheries research vessel. I will be participating in a leg of the Fall Groundfish Survey. This yearly survey monitors bottom fish in the Gulf of Mexico and is
The Fall Groundfish Survey area.
an important fisheries management tool. You can follow my journey and adventures in this blog and via the NOAA Ship Tracker. Just click on the hyperlink, enter the ship tracker and select the Oregon II (R2) from the drop down menu on the right side of the screen.
The OREGON II.
I look forward to your virtual participation and comments!
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Mark Silverman
Onboard NASA Ship Freedom Star June 7 – 14, 2006
Mission: Pre-closure evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in five proposed no fishing zones in the South Atlantic. Geographical Area: South Atlantic Ocean Date: June 12, 2006
Back in port at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station under the dark, glowering skies of tropical storm Alberto.
Weather Data from Bridge
Visibility: Fair to Poor
Wind direction: ESE
Average wind speed: 7 knots and building during day
Wave height: 1-2’ knots and building during day
Air temperature: 75 oF
Sea temperature: 79 oF
Cloud cover: 100%
Barometric pressure: 1014 mb
Personal Log
This morning I overslept and woke up about 0815. Everyone was just hanging out as we ran for port so it was not an issue. I had a light breakfast, as breakfast was officially over (Patrick “Cookie” Downey, the cook, kindly left out some food for late risers). After breakfast I went up to the bridge to work on this, my final log. The weather outside is deteriorating and the sky is dark with light rain. The bridge crew is in good cheer and we bantered a bit. The launch towers of Cape Canaveral are barely visible to the west through the overcast. On radar I can clearly see the shape of the Cape and our path around it. We are about 1-2 hours from the entrance, a bit more to docking, as we have to pass through the lock. The FREEDOM STAR should dock at Port Canaveral Air Force Station today around 1200. The operations were curtailed 48 hrs. early due to impending tropical storm Alberto. Alberto is currently just off the west coast of Florida around Steinahatchee. About 0100 we passed through the Port Canaveral inlet as a number of the crew and team stood on the bridge joking, talking, and looking through binoculars. I felt quite privileged to be part of this retinue as people on shore and in other boats observed our entrance into port. As we steamed into port, Tim Freely, Chief Engineer, gave us a tour of the one part of the ship we hadn’t entered yet, the Engine Room. Due to the dangers involved we could only enter with an engineer. It was fascinating! FREEDOM STAR has 6 diesel engines. Two for propulsion, two for thrusters, and two for generators.
Several shots from our tour of the engine room: From left, Mark and Tim pose, Tim proudly shows Nancy and Steve the major components of the engine room, one BIG Detroit diesel that turns one of the propellers. Note the ear muffs that are necessary due to the high noise level.
Andy managed to change my flight for this evening to get me out before the storm, so I did laundry, packed my things, took a few more pictures and got ready to debark. Nancy and the ROV team will be flying out this evening as well. The science team and a few of the crew got together one last time at a Port Canaveral restaurant to say goodbye. Overall, it’s been a fantastic time and I’m sad that it’s over, but I have lots of great memories and learned a lot too. Everyone I got to know, the crew, and the science team, were super and made me feel like I belonged. I hope I can participate in Teacher at Sea again someday and highly recommend it to anyone out there reading this and thinking about it. Hasta luego, Mark
Signal flags.
Question of the Day
Answer to yesterday’s question: Yesterday’s question is really just for your own personal reflection. To prepare for a career in marine biology, take lots of math and science. Practice good writing skill. Keep your GPA up and work hard in college. See my interview with Andy David on day 3 for more information. Today’s question: What do the black flags in the photo on the left mean? (See end of this log for the answer).
Addendum 1: An Interview with Marta Ribera, GIS specialist.
Marta was a little shy about giving and interview and claimed she wouldn’t have much to say. However, once she warmed up to our discussion she was vivacious and charming, punctuating her comments with laughter and smiles. She has a much different demeanor while working, although retaining her sense of humor, her seriousness and concentration are obvious. She appears to thoroughly enjoy what she does. Much to my delight Marta was born in Gainesville and is a Gator fan.
Patrick “Cookie” Downey grills up some freshly caught dolphin fish.
Q: Tell me about yourself, where your from etc.
A: I was born in Gainesville, Florida because my father was there to study his PhD. My father finished his PhD and moved my mother, my sister and myself to Spain where he is from.
Q: How old were you [when you moved to Spain]?
A: I was 3 and a half and I have an older sister who was 4 and •••. I grew up in Spain until I was 24. I studied my BS in Biology, the first 2 years [of college] and 2 more years in Ecology.
Q: Where did you study?
A: Universidad Autonóma de Barcelona [Independent University of Barcelona] in Barcelona.
Q: So you studied in Spanish? (Marta was quick to correct me and I could sense her pride)
A: In Barcelona we speak Catalan, but I was really fluent in English from when I was here [in the U.S.]! (Continuing on about her studies) Then I did a degree, kind of a Masters without the thesis, in GIS, Geographical Information Systems. So, I did about a year of that and then I got an internship in the lab [at NOAA, in Panama City, FL]. I came here because of the GIS, because a friend of my father knew the lab needed someone in GIS. I came here for 3 months and I’ve been here for 3 years! That’s about it.
Q: What do you like best about your job?
Left to right: Mike Nicholas, Freshteh Ahmadian, and Craig Bussel goof around at the post cruise get-together.
A: It’s never the same and [I like] the people I’m working with. Being away from home is hard, but they make it real easy! All the GIS and multibeam mapping, I’m doing it with Andy [David]. Then I also help Stacy [Harter] with a study in the bay in Panama City on juvenile snapper. I want to finish my Masters in GIS.
Q: …and a PhD?
A: PhD? Well, we’ll see about that. Now I’m gaining a lot of experience and seeing a lot of things…like 30 people work in the lab on all kinds of stuff, like sharks, measuring age and growth. I know all the areas, now I really know what I like. I’m getting a lot of experience.
Q: How old are you?
A: I’m 27 from last May…well I’m 27.
Group shot at the post cruise get together. Front row, from left to right, Craig Bussel, Freshteh Ahmadian, Mike Nicholas, Mark Silverman, and Steve Matthews. Back row, from left to right, Kevin Joy, Andy David, Wayne Stewart, Stacy Harter, Marta Ribera, Nancy McClintock, and Cece Linder.
Q: Is GIS far from Biology?
A: No, it’s not. I always loved math and computers. My parents thought I would go into engineering. I had a high school teacher who showed me to love Biology. Right when I finished college, I volunteered in forestry and started doing GIS. I really loved it, because it let me mix both. I love computers, but I cannot stand being in front of a computer all week. Now, I can do both! I didn’t think I would work in Marine Biology because I can’t dive [Marta has an ear injury that prevents diving], but now I’m working in Marine Biology!
Marta Ribera smiles while recording fish and bottom composition data and location during an ROV dive.
Addendum 2: An Interview with Steve Matthews, Fisheries Methods and Equipment Specialist
Steve is a fascinating person to get to know. He has a background in saturation diving and has dove as deep as 650 feet. His contributions to the project are diverse, from building the 4-camera array, to expertise in deploying gear off a ship (not as simple a task as it sounds in a rolling sea). Steve has a great sense of humor and enjoys telling jokes. I was privileged to bunk with him aboard the FREEDOM STAR. On his free time I frequently found him reading a Clive Cusseler novel. It must have been good, because he said he’s not much of a reader, but he finished it in several days. Steve’s title is Fisheries Methods and Equipment Specialist.
Q: How does somebody get into a field like that?
A: I didn’t intend to get into a field like that. I just sort of fell into it [smiles]. I’m already retired. I was in the Navy 28 years as a saturation diver…
Q: Steve can you give me a short definition of saturation diving?
A: Go deep, stay long [everyone laughs]. (Saturation diving involves diving until the body has absorbed all the nitrogen it can. After that one can stay down indefinitely, usually in a habitat or bell. Decompression usually occurs on the surface in a decompression chamber over several hours or days, depending on the depth of the dive.) When I retired, I went to work with FSU [Florida State University], Panama City campus, Advanced Science Diving Program. There was a fledgling program at Panama City campus and we set up a dive locker at the Panama City lab at the National Marine Service site. FSU did not have its own facility at that time. That was a new program and they ran out of money and sense. When the fisheries people heard I was going to leave, they offered me to stay on with them and matched me up to the category on the books. Fisheries Methods and Equipment Specialist was the closest thing. Sometimes commercial fishermen are hired on to this field. The equipment part is where I fit in best…marine mechanic, boat maintenance, welding, and fabrication of fishing gear.
Steve Matthews, Fisheries Methods and Equipment specialist on the bridge of the FREEDOM STAR.
Q: How long have you been with the lab?
A: Five years.
Q: Do you always work with Andy [David]?
A: I work for the lab. Andy is one of the groups I do stuff for. There’s several others.
Q: What would you tell students that want to get into this field?
A: If the students ask, tell them the joke about the commercial fisherman who won the lottery. They asked him what he was going to do with all the money? He said, Oh, I’m gonna keep commercial fishing ‘till all the moneys gone! [laughs heartily]. It’s a tough field!
Answer to the Question of the day, today:
The black signal flags let other boats and ships know to stay away. As Cody put it during his tour of the flying bridge (he was pointing out a red signal light that has a similar function at night), “we are pretty high on the pecking order.” It is not permitted to come too close to a government vessel during official operations. The flags were not flown while underway on our cruise. Other large ships are required to be familiar with signals and usually obey them. Many small boaters often are not up to speed on the meaning of the signal flags and lights. During our cruise one 40-50’ fishing boat trolled within a half mile of our port side while the ROV was deployed. Fortunately, many of the operations occur so far offshore that not many pleasure boats are in the vicinity. Our mission took place 50-100 miles offshore. The SRB recovery is about 120 miles out.
Addendum 3: FREEDOM STAR and her crew’s regular assignment
As involved as we were in marine biology on this cruise, its easy to forget that FREEDOM STAR and her sister ship, LIBERTY STAR have as their principal function the recovery of the SRB’s (solid rocket boosters) for the space shuttle program immediately following a launch. The crew is very proud of this role. They must go out regardless of weather. The ship is also used to tow the external fuel tanks from Louisiana, where they are manufactured, to Cape Canaveral, Florida where they are assembled to the space shuttle and prepared for launch.
Space Shuttle lifts off from Cape Canaveral.
Addendum 3: The SRB recovery operations.
Recovery must go forward regardless of weather. The LIBERTY STAR with SRB and Ambar crew still operate in rough seas. Winches are used to bring in the parachutes and the crane lifts the nose cone.
Divers install the equipment need to float NASA ships M/V LIBERTY STAR and FREEDOM STAR the SRB horizontally for towing. The dives enter port with the SRB’s in tow. It can be dangerous, in excess of 130’ due to the length of the SRB and up and down wave motion. A decompression chamber is ready on deck.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Mark Silverman
Onboard NASA Ship Freedom Star June 7 – 14, 2006
Mission: Pre-closure evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in five proposed no fishing zones in the South Atlantic. Geographical Area: South Atlantic Ocean Date: June 11, 2006
Mark Silverman takes still digital photos during an ROV dive. The ROV navigator, Kevin Joy, and pilot, Craig Bussel are seen in the background.
Weather Data from Bridge
Visibility: Good, a little hazy on the horizon
Wind direction: SW
Average wind speed: 12 knots
Harbor wave height: SW, 2-4’
Air temperature: 76 oF
Cloud cover: 10%
Barometric pressure: 1013 mb
Science and Technology Log
This morning dawned with Tropical Storm Alberto expected to come off the north Florida or south Georgia coast sometime late afternoon on Tuesday, June 13. Winds for tomorrow are forecast at 20-25 knots and seas are forecast at 5-7 feet. In these conditions it is not possible to work safely. Capt. Exell and Andy David, the Principle Investigator, made the decision to go in early, upon completion of today’s work. We are scheduled into Port Canaveral by noon tomorrow, so this will be the last science log. I will do one more personal log tomorrow. This morning dawned with fine weather and no sign of the expected storm. Three ROV dives were planned in the Options off southern Georgia. At 0800 a general CTD was deployed to support the ROV. It was decided not to deploy the 4-camera array today because strong currents would interfere.
Before presenting a record of the dives, I will discuss a little about the importance of communication and coordination between the bridge and the ROV team. Although the ROV is piloted by Craig Bussel, it is essential that the ship is moved in the direction that the ROV needs to go. The ROV remains tethered to the ship throughout all dives. Craig explained that the technology is not yet in place for an autonomous ROV. The tether provides electrical power to the ROV and returns data, information on position, and video and still photographs to the ROV lab on the ship. The ROV team remains in constant contact with the bridge using two-way radios. Craig or Kevin, the navigator, may radio: “move us 50 meters, bearing 273o” and the ship can use dynamic positioning technology to make precise movements. Dynamic positioning is accomplished using the main props, bow and stern thrusters, GPS, and computers in conjunction with human pilots. Current and wind play a large role in how well the positioning system functions. The cooperative efforts of the bridge crew, the ROV team, along with external conditions are crucial to the success of the dive. One of my jobs on this cruise was to take still photos during the ROV dives. The still photos are shot straight down to study bottom and habitat composition. One photo per minute is shot and additional photos may be taken of interesting objects.
In what quickly became a “tradition,” the members of the science team and crew gather in the galley to attentively watch an ROV dive on the big screen TV. Cheers and jeers would echo as a big grouper or snapper appeared or was lost from view. From left, Andy David (PI), Steve Matthews(Fisheries Specialist), Tim Freeley (Chief Engineer), Darin Schuster (Winch operator), and Wayne Stewart (Crane operator).
ROV dive 1 was the deepest dive of the cruise at 345 feet (104 m). The current was very strong for blue water (1.7 to 3 knots). This caused some difficulty with positioning the ship as explained above. The bottom was soft, silty ooze. Much less ambient light was present than in the previous dives. The fish seen included flounders, lizardfish, and scorpionfish. Where scattered rocks occurred snowy grouper were also seen. One large jack appeared briefly. Invertebrates included sea pens, crinoids (sea lilies), pencil urchins, starfish, and abundant portunid crabs.
An Atlantic Spotted Dolphin frolics in the wave of the FREEDOM STAR, much to everyone’s delight. The pod had about eight members.
ROV dive 2 transected a mud/silt bottom between significant rock formations and ledges at about 245 feet. Once again it was difficult to position the ship due to the combination of current and wind. Visibility was poor; however, many grouper were seen. Seen for the first time on this cruise were Warsaw grouper and red snapper near the larger rocks. Snowy grouper and scamp were also seen, in addition to the usual big eyes, tattlers, etc. After ROV dive 2, two fish traps were deployed containing cut up Atlantic mackerel (tinker mackerel) as bait. The traps were recovered after ROV dive 3. The first trap came up empty. The second trap was deployed in the rocky area found on ROV dive 2. It produced 37 red porgies of various sizes, which were measured and released. ROV dive 3 was the final dive for the cruise. The bottom was a silt and compacted sand mixture with algal patches. Visibility was poor. Fish seen included amberjack, big eyes, bank sea bass, tattlers (Serranus phoebe), red porgies, and juvenile beeliners (also known as vermillion snapper, which are of a different genus than all other snappers). One large rock with caves had a wrasse bass, yellow tail reef fish, and a large school of unidentified fish, possibly grunts. Several white colonial tunicates were seen. Interestingly, they are of a type that is being investigated for possible medical applications (new drugs). Many terrestrial sources have been tried and produced many drugs. The ocean has many new possibilities waiting to be discovered. Other invertebrates included hermit crabs in long shells, chalice sponges, gastropod egg cases, and starfish. It is unfortunate that the cruise had to be cut short, but a wealth of important data was collected during the 5 days we worked. Work ended around 1700, 195 miles from home, and FREEDOM STAR transited to her homeport, Port Canaveral, overnight.
Personal Log
I woke early in order to finish up yesterday’s log. The conversation at breakfast centered on the impending storm and Andy announced that we would head in tonight. I have had such a wonderful experience that I can’t help but be a little bit disappointed. However, I am just grateful to have had the opportunity to experience the world of a marine biologist and all the wonderful adventures of the last five days. Living and working aboard a research vessel with marine biologists fulfilled a life long dream for me.
A “biting shark” is brought up to the gunwale in order to be released.
I worked on my log until the first ROV run was under way and then assisted with the camera and recovery of the vehicle. Throughout the day I worked in various capacities, experiencing one more time life at sea. Several exciting moments occurred. The first was when I spotted a large school of spotted Atlantic dolphins from the “Lido” deck. After announcing their presence I bolted down the stairs to get my camera. I shot lots of pictures in order to try and get a good one. I have included one of the better ones in this log. The crew fished on and off all day and several dolphin were caught and also a shark! I asked Andy what type of shark it was and he replied, “A biting shark.” Finally, I got up my nerve to try and toss the high-flyer float again on the last fish trap deployment (remember I dented the radar array, and nearly my head, on my last attempt). I had been studying the technique all day and my toss was perfect! Later Cody Gordon, Ordinary Seaman, took me up to the flying bridge and gave me a great tour. It was thrilling to be up so high up on the ship underway as the wind whipped by at about 40 knots. Cody was familiar with all the equipment topside and explained to me the function of each, such as antennae for GPS, radios, radar, etc. and signal lights, search lights and more. As always the food and camaraderie was excellent, another great day at sea! As my Newfoundland friends would say, “I’m beat to a snot!” and ready for a good night’s sleep.
Question of the Day
Answer to yesterday’s question: Yesterdays question about the distribution of fisheries resources has no clear-cut answer and is highly debatable. Much of the fisheries research at NOAA, such as this mission will help answer the question. The current trend is a 50-50 split between commercial and recreational users while maintaining a sustainable fishery for the future. Today’s question: Do you think you would like life at sea or the career of a marine biologist? If so how would you prepare?
Addendum 1: Glossary of Terms
Ambar: Zodiac-like partially inflatable outboard boats carried aboard the ship and deployed by cranes. FREEDOM STAR normally carries two. Tropical storm: A cyclonic storm with winds of at least 40 mph. Autonomous: Something that operates on its own, with no connection to a source or other support system. Ambient: The natural surroundings. Colonial: Organisms that live in close association to one another, but are not completely interdependent on one another. “Lido” deck: A colloquialism (slang) used by the crew for the O-1 deck. The ship has five decks from below sea level up: the lower deck (below the water line), the main deck (at or just above the water line), the O-1 deck (forecastle – pronounced fo’cle deck), the bridge deck and the flying bridge. PI: Principal Investigator.
Ordinary Seaman, Cody Gordon, braces against the wind as he gives me a tour of the flying bridge. Clouds from Tropical Storm Alberto loom in the background.
Addendum 2: Interview with Mike Nicholas and Allan Gravina
Mike and Allan enthusiastically agreed to do an interview. I approached them on day 4 while they were on they’re morning bridge watch. Seamen on the FREEDOM STAR and her sister ship LIBERTY STAR work 2 four hour watches per day or as they say, “4 on, 8 off.” Mike and Allan were assigned 8 AM to noon and 8 PM to midnight during this cruise. I found them to be very proud of they’re work, particularly as it involved the space shuttle missions, with a good sense of humor and a very positive attitude.
Q: Describe your job and life at sea. Mike: Mostly I’m just Navigational Officer. Each day as we go from place to place, I make sure we get there without hazards. Allan: …and charts and communications. Allan: I assist the watch; stand the look out for watch on duty is my main job. Also, my job includes anything else that needs to be done on deck. Retrieving boosters we work on deck. Any time personnel needs to be moved we’ll drive the Ambars.
Q: How did you come to work on FREEDOM STAR? Mike: I actually started on LIBERTY STAR [sister ship to FREEDOM STAR] eighteen and one half years ago.
Q: How old are you now? Mike: I’m 38. Allan: I’m 32. Mike: I started entry level as an ordinary seaman and came up through the ranks. I came on FREEDOM STAR as a promotion 11 years ago and I was transferred over to FREEDOM then.
Q: Do you like working at sea? Mike: Yeah, I enjoy it. I like the idea that everyday is different. You don’t know what you’ll get everyday. Not to mention, the challenges of what we have to do.
Q: Is it fun? Mike: Absolutely…a good time! We usually retrieve the space shuttle solid rocket boosters. This is not our normal mission. Allan: That’d be our number 1 job, that and the external [fuel] tank.
Q: What’s it like working a shuttle mission? Allan: Pretty exciting actually, a good feeling! We know we are one of 24 people in the world that do what we do, no other country, no other boat, no other place. It’s also challenging, because we must go regardless of weather, up to 30-foot seas. They’ve only held the boat back once or twice in the 25 year program history.
Q: Do you see the launches? Allan: About 1 minute after lift off it will fly over us. [They are roughly 120 mi out to see in the recovery zone]
Q: How far to splash down of the boosters are you? Allan: 5-10 miles. You can see them come down, the whole bit.
Q: Is there any danger of them hitting you? Mike: No, they know exactly where they are going to land. Allan, grinning: If you think about it, those things are 130 feet long and 12 feet in diameter coming through the air. They’re pretty big!
From left, Allan Gravina, Able Bodied Seaman, and Mike filled 3 and ½ pages. The Nicholas, 2nd Mate, on the bridge during the 0800-1200 bridge watch. Their duties while on watch include monitoring the ship’s position in relation to other vessels, land, and obstacles, piloting the vessel and monitoring the ships systems and accurate quotes and used notes. communications. They’re ability to pilot the ship was crucial to the success of the ROV dives. When not on watch they frequently lend a hand on deck. Off duty both of them enjoy fishing or a good game of Spades.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Mark Silverman
Onboard NASA Ship Freedom Star June 7 – 14, 2006
Mission: Pre-closure evaluation of habitat and fish assemblages in five proposed no fishing zones in the South Atlantic. Geographical Area: South Atlantic Ocean Date: June 10, 2006
Weather Data from Bridge
Visibility: Excellent
Wind direction: SSW
Average wind speed: 15 knots
Wave height: 4-6’ with higher swells
Air temperature: 73oF
Sea temperature: 79 oF
Cloud cover: 20%
Barometric pressure: 1010 mb
The view from the bridge 100 miles of the coast of North Carolina as she transits to the South Carolina Option.
Science and Technology Log
This morning seas were a sloppy 6-8 feet, again washing over the back deck and creating a safety hazard. Additionally, a low-pressure system forming near the Yucatan is forecast to be in this area early next week, possibly as a tropical storm. For this reason, the decision was made to scrub the North Carolina mission and proceed 48 miles to the southwest to the other South Carolina Option. This would give the seas a chance to lay down and position us better if the need to retreat to port early arose due to the weather. Science operations began at about 1100 in South Carolina Options 1 and 2. The normal routine of camera array, CTD, and fish traps was followed. We also got in 3 ROV runs. All the ROV runs were interesting. The last two runs were on new transects that were selected using Marta Ribera’s maps. The transects turned out to have a significant amount of hard bottom and good populations of fish and invertebrates. The last run revealed an extensive ledge system that harbored some very large scamp and gag grouper. All three runs also came across numerous lionfish. The fish trap produced three scamp and a gray triggerfish. The scamps were dissected to collect their otoliths and gonads. The otoliths are used for age determination and the gonads for reproductive analysis. As evening approached, TD #1 was threatening in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to be in the South Atlantic sometime early next week. The decision was made to run south to the Georgia Options with the hope of getting in another day or two of work while being closer to port in the event that we have to go in early, a possibility that is looking very likely at this point.
Andy stands guard as Mark hurries into position in preparation to deploy the ROV in the South Carolina Option aboard the FREEDOM STAR.
Personal Log
Please note that the satellite system which is used for email aboard the ship went down yesterday. It is likely at this point that it will not work the rest of the cruise, so this and the remaining logs will be posted upon our return to port.
I woke well rested after a good nights sleep, lulled by the rocking of the ship underway and the white noise of the engines. The bow thrusters woke me about 0630 as our cabin is the most forward. A quick shower brought me to life. After eggs, biscuits, sausage gravy and coffee I had some free time while the FREEDOM STAR transited to the South Carolina position. I read my Bible on the upper deck for a while with a grand view of the sunrise over the open ocean. It was inspiring and peaceful. I then worked on my logs. The morning mission began in a flurry of activity. I noticed that the crew and science team are working smoothly and efficiently now. Everyone knows his or her role and the work goes smoothly. Even I have found my niche and have become more familiar with operations, so I know when and where my help is needed. This is a very satisfying feeling. Dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi) came up with the ROV again! I waited until the vehicle was secure and then told the second mate, Mike Nicholas, as I was busy with operations.
Wayne Stewart, crane operator, and Mike Nicholas, second mate, show off a dolphinfish that I spotted.
He made a cast with a spinning rod and jig and caught a fine 10 pounder for the galley. Everyone was very excited in the afternoon over the ROV run and the fish we’d caught. Every time the ROV is diving, the video is projected into the dining hall and the everyone who is not working gathers to watch and comment. Shouts, of “follow that big blackbelly,” etc. are heard. The crew also likes to gather and watch as the fish traps are brought in. All this lends a fine sense of camaraderie. With three ROV runs and fish to be cleaned we finished late. The evening was a bit somber as everyone began to worry about the weather and confer on our options. Nancy and I met with Andy to discuss a plan in case we go in early, which is looking quite likely at this point. Despite the disappointment at the thought of going in early, I went to bed enthused and satisfied that I was able to be a part of this productive team and help to gather valuable scientific data that will help in improve our understanding of fisheries and habitat issues. I will sleep soundly tonight as we transit to the Georgia site. To my family, I send my love and I miss you! Daddy is thinking of you David!
Question of the Day
Answer to yesterday’s question: Nonnative species often compete with native species for prey and habitat. Usually the introduction of nonnative species has a negative affect on the indigenous fauna. Eliminating or controlling introduced species is extremely difficult, as the predators that feed on them and even the diseases that affect them may not be found in the new area. Thus, they will often out compete native species. It is estimated that there are now 1-13 million lionfish in the South Atlantic ranging from West Palm Beach, Florida to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Fortunately they have not spread south yet. Ignorant or uncaring aquarists introduced many of the nonnative fish in freshwater ecosystems. It is theorized, however, that lionfish may have been introduced intentionally by a recreational dive operation in order to boost their business. If this is true it was a very poor decision. Today’s question: One of the questions frequently debated is how to distribute a limited resource fairly. Much debate has gone on regarding recreational versus commercial harvest of marine fish. How do you feel fisheries resources should be allocated and why? What would you base your decision on?
Clockwise: Steve Matthews, Mark Silverman, PJ Zackel, and Andy David use tag lines to control the ROV as it is deployed by the crane.
Addendum 1: Glossary of Terms
GIS (Geographic Information System): Maps dive sites, creates maps with layers such as depth, bottom type, and fish data. These are checked for patterns. The human mind is still the best pattern recognition software available. Otolith: An ear bone found behind the gills of fish. Otoliths add exactly one ring a day and can be used to very accurately determine the age. Gonads: The reproductive structure of animals. They are called testes in males and ovaries in females. Interestingly, all scamp begin life as females. Some will change to males later in life. This is known as protogyny. Blackbelly: Nickname used by the crew for a large male gag grouper.
Addendum 2: The Science Team Marine Science Team:
Andy David-Principle Investigator
Steve Matthews-Fisheries Methods and Equipment Specialist
Stacy Harter- Fisheries Biologist/Data Analyst
Marta Ribera-GIS Specialist
Cecelia Linder-NOAA Headquarters Habitat Conservation Officer on rotational assignment to field
ROV Team:
Craig Bussel-Pilot
Kevin Joy-Navigational Specialist
Freshteh Ahmadian-ROV Intern in the Hollings Scholar Program
Andy David, Principle Investigator, confers with Stacy Harter, Fisheries biologist, on strategies for the day’s mission.Craig Bussel, ROV pilot, prepares for an ROV transect in a South Carolina Option.
