NOAA Teacher at Sea
Anne Mortimer
Onboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson
July 4 — 22, 2011
Mission: Pollock Survey
Geographical area of cruise: Gulf of Alaska
Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Weather data from the bridge
Air Temperature: 8.8 C
Sea Temperature: 9.3 C
Wind Speed: 16.42 knots
Wind Direction: 210.11 degrees
Barometric Pressure: 1018.31 mbar
Personal Log
We’ve been at sea for almost 24 hours now, and so far, it’s been smooth sailing. We’re headed southwest to the area where the last leg of the cruise left off, which means lots of sailing and no trawling yet. Yesterday, before the ship left port, we participated in a man-over-board drill and fire drill. These drills are required, and we are also required to don the life suit for practice.
My shift will be from 4pm to 4am, so I’m trying to adjust myself to that schedule, which last night led me to the bridge. The bridge is where the Commanding Officer and others navigate the ship and control several of the fishing operations. The bridge has windows all around, so even at 11pm, when the sun is close to setting it is still filled with daylight. Yesterday evening, I spent most of my time on the bridge watching Humpback whales with binoculars. Then, just as the sun was presenting a spectacular sunset, we saw multiple whale flukes and spouts on the horizon in the glow of the sun’s rays.
Species list at Sea (biggest to smallest!):
Humpback whale
Sea lion
Black-footed Albatross
Northern Fullmar
Petrel
Tufted Puffin