Jacquelyn Hams 2006 – Page 3 – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

July 31, 2006March 26, 2021

Jacquelyn Hams, July 31, 2006

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jacquelyn Hams
Onboard NOAA Ship Rainier
July 24 – August 11, 2006

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographical Area: Shumagin Islands, Alaska
Date: July 31, 2006

Weather
Partly cloudy
Visibility: 10 nm
Wind direction: 330
Wind speed: 10 knots
Sea Wave height: 0-1
Seawater temperature: 10 degrees C
Sea level pressure: 1016.5 mb
Temperature dry bulb: 12.2 degrees C
Temperature wet bulb: 10.6 degrees C

Science and Technology Log
Today I practice the skills necessary to navigate underway using radar navigation and dead reckoning. Radar navigation is a technique by which radar is used to determine the distance from the ship to known points on shore. These distances are then transferred to the chart to plot the ship’s position. Radar navigation is useful for fixing the ship’s position in reduced visibility, and as a check against visual means even in good weather. Dead Reckoning is a method of estimating the ship’s position based on assumptions about ship speed, heading, length of time underway on that heading, and other influences such as current or wind.

In general, if the speed of the ship and length of time the ship has been on a particular heading is known, the simple formula “Distance = Speed x Time” is used to estimate distance run. To plot the estimated current ship position using dead reckoning, we lay down an approximate track line on the chart from our assumed starting position in the direction the ship was traveling and for the distance the ship traveled in nautical miles. Dead Reckoning is used by NOAA as a backup to the more accurate means of fixing the ship’s position in the event that all electronics are lost and there are no visible landmarks for reference. The navigators aboard the RAINIER also keep dead reckoned position, or “DR”, current on their charts to use as a check on their position fixes. The interpretation of radar images, radar navigation, and dead reckoning are definitely acquired skills that I plan to work on during the remainder of this cruise.

Personal Log

The RAINIER held a beach party after dinner. We were transported to a nearby beach in Northeast Bight on Nagai Island for a few hours of relaxation. The beach is rocky and composed of andesite and tuff. The andesite is much lighter in color than I usually see. I wasn’t sure it was andesite until I found a rock with the characteristic needle-like pieces of shiny black basalt (obsidian).

Lesson of the Day: Navigation underway

Terms of the Day: Radar, Dead Reckoning

Bonus questions: What does anchors aweigh mean?

Recommended reading: Radar Navigation Manual, Publication #1310, .6^th edition, 1994, and Defense Mapping Hydrographic Topo Center.

July 30, 2006March 26, 2021

Jacquelyn Hams, July 30, 2006

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jacquelyn Hams
Onboard NOAA Ship Rainier
July 24 – August 11, 2006

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographical Area: Shumagin Islands, Alaska
Date: July 30, 2006

TAS Jacquelyn Hams charting a course in the Pilot House

Weather
Partly cloudy
Visibility: 10 nm
Wind direction: 255
Wind speed: 10 knots
Seawater temperature: 9.40 degrees C
Sea level pressure: 1016.8 mb
Temperature dry bulb: 11.7 degrees C
Temperature wet bulb: 10.6 degrees C

Science and Technology Log
The RAINIER is anchored in Porpoise Harbor while boats conduct hydrography surveys. I completed my first navigation assignment given to me by ENS Nate Eldridge, RAINIER Junior Officer. The assignment is to plot a course from our anchorage at Porpoise Harbor to our next anchorage at Northeast Bight. ENS Eldridge provided me with the detailed sail plan showing waypoints, distances, bearings (directions) as a way of checking my work.

NOAA sail plan to Northwest Bight — Sail plan to Northwest Bight

NOAA has several checks and balances that navigators use to assure accuracy of charts. After a rough start, I begin to get the hang of it. NOAA charts are extremely accurate and a larger than normal dot and circle can result in an error of one or two degrees. Most of my navigation skills are related to recreational boating or classroom teaching, both of which allow a large margin for error. Toward the end of the exercise I begin to make small but precise points. ENS Eldridge revises the sail plan due to a change in weather and I complete the revised chart. When pressed, ENS Eldridge said he would give me and A- on my course! I feel that working with the NOAA navigation officers here will provide me with a skill I can take back to the classroom.

Portion of bathymetric chart for Nagai Island and Unga Island with course plotted to Northeast Bight

July 29, 2006March 26, 2021

Jacquelyn Hams, July 29, 2006

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jacquelyn Hams
Onboard NOAA Ship Rainier
July 24 – August 11, 2006

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographical Area: Shumagin Islands, Alaska
Date: July 29, 2006

TAS Jacquelyn Hams helps prepare lines on a boat

Weather
Partly cloudy
Visibility: 10 nm
Wind direction: 250
Wind speed: 140 knots
Sea Wave height: 1 ft.
Seawater temperature: 9.4 degrees C
Sea level pressure: 1024.3 mb
Temperature dry bulb: 13.3 degrees C
Temperature wet bulb: 11.1 degrees C

Science and Technology Log

At 0900 all new personnel including Teachers at Sea participated in deck training. Deck training consists of learning basic sailing knots and handling lines for launching the boats. Deck training lasted from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. with 1/2 hour for lunch. One of the first things I learned is the difference between handling lines on a recreational boat and a ship. Recreational boaters always lock a knot when you tie up at a dock. Ships never lock a knot because the lines are much heavier and they need to loosen lines quickly. Recreational boaters tidy lines and make clever loops and swirls.

Ships demand utility and want lines hanging in places that are easy to access. I also practiced another way to tie a bowline! A bowline is a basic knot that is taught as many different ways as there are people who tie them. It is important that everyone learn safety procedures and participate in lowering and raising the boats. Most of the survey work is done from boats while the RAINIER is anchored. I feel slightly uneasy walking around the deck of the boats. Even though there are sufficient hand holds, I am ever vigilant and aware of how cold the water is!

Personal Log

Here are some stunning photos taken from the RAINIER anchorage at Porpoise Harbor. These photos were taken after 9 p.m.

View of Nagai Island from Porpoise Harbor

July 28, 2006March 26, 2021

Jacquelyn Hams, July 28, 2006

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jacquelyn Hams
Onboard NOAA Ship Rainier
July 24 – August 11, 2006

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographical Area: Shumagin Islands, Alaska
Date: July 28, 2006

Weather Data
Weather: Clear/Fog Drizzle
Visibility: 2 nm
Wind direction: 245
Wind speed: 14 knots
Sea Wave height: 0-1 ft.
Seawater temperature: 9.4 degrees C
Sea level pressure: 1021.7 mb
Temperature dry bulb: 11/7 degrees C
Temperature wet bulb: 11.1 degrees C

Personal Log

Today I took a launch to Sand Point on Unga Island with crew members to pick up another crew member and some groceries. I have not seen an Alaskan town since Kodiak and am curious to see how different Sand Point may be. The ride took approximately 2 hours and we passed more spectacular geology and scenery. Sand Point is a tiny Alaskan fishing village on Unga Island. It is picturesque, off the tourist path, and full of friendly people. So far the two towns I have seen in Alaska (Kodiak and Sand Point) are very clean and uncluttered. There have been two major earthquakes, many minor earthquakes, and tsunamis in the Aleutian Islands, so it is no surprise that tsunami evacuation routes are well marked.

Tsunami Evacuation route sign in Sand Point

July 27, 2006March 26, 2021

Jacquelyn Hams, July 27, 2006

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jacquelyn Hams
Onboard NOAA Ship Rainier
July 24 – August 11, 2006

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographical Area: Shumagin Islands, Alaska
Date: July 27, 2006

TAS Jacquelyn Hams at the helm of the NOAA Ship RAINIER

Weather Data
Weather: Partly cloudy
Visibility: 10+ nm
Wind direction: LT
Wind speed: AIRS
Sea wave height: 0 ft.
Swell waves direction: 160
Swell waves height: 1 ft
Seawater T: 9.4 degrees C
Sea level pressure: 1025.9 mb
Temperature Dry bulb: 11.01 degrees C
Temperature Wet bulb: 10.0 degrees C

Science and Technology Log

ENS Sam Greenaway, RAINIER’s Navigation Officer and Kenneth Keys, RAINIER Deck Utilityman and Helmsman, gave me a lesson in navigation. I steered the ship for approximately two hours during which time I completed several turns. I learned that it is very important to steer the ship along the survey lines so that data quality is not distorted. A few of the navigation instruments used on the RAINIER are shown below.

Gyrocompass repeater (top) and rudder angle order indicator (bottom) — Gyrocompass repeater

Personal Log

We are passing many of the smaller islands that make up the Shumagins. The fog has lifted and the RAINIER is approaching Porpoise Harbor, the anchoring spot for the night. The Shumagin Islands are part of the Aleutian Islands Arc system and formed by volcanic activity. The islands provide a scenic backdrop of dramatic peaks and snow capped summits. We anchor at Porpoise Harbor off Nagai Island.

Lesson of the Day: Navigation

Terms of the Day: Rudder, fathometer

Bonus question: What is a fathometer?

Recommended reading: The American Practical Navigator, Bowditch Publication #9