Tag: crew interview

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Kiersten Newtoff: Boats, Bolts, and Brain Power. January 30, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
(Was) Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 27, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 30, 2025
Location: Back on land now in Maryland! We ended a few days early, but there’s still much to share!

The Engineers

If the kitchen is the soul of the ship , and deck is the heart, then that makes the engine the muscle.

Meet the engineering department, who’s number one job is to make the boat move. That is of course way oversimplifying it, especially when we are talking about a 209 foot vessel. While every crew member is important to NOAA’s mission, if we didn’t have the engineers, we would be hanging out at a dock for a long time.

Hezekiah stands to the side of an instrument panel, pointing to some data as he poses for the camera.
Hezekiah showing off some data.

I learned from the Chief Engineer, Hezekiah that the Pisces is a diesel electric boat, kind of like a hybrid car. The combination of diesel engines and electrical motors lowers harmful gas emissions and works towards NOAA’s Net Zero emissions goal by 2050. There are 2 large and 2 small generators on board and depending on what the boat needs to do will dictate how many are running at a time. There is redundancy in the system so that if anything happens to one generator, there are backups. There’s also a bow thruster that gets used when standing still; it is managed by the dynamic positioning system to keep the Pisces at a single spot, instead of moving with the current.

You may be thinking that the engineers are just managing the engines (I mean, it is in the name), and you would be partially correct. But they do so much more! They are responsible for everything that is in the underbelly of the ship. This includes fuel systems, potable water, wastewater, incineration, ballast water, and I’m sure a bunch more. Hezekiah and Drew showed me around and I have pictures but I can’t quite tell you what they are because there were so many things to keep track of. As chief engineer, Hezekiah has the ultimate responsibility of the equipment and safety of his team. He has been with NOAA for about a year, permanently stationed to the Pisces.

Under boat machinery
Under boat machinery
Under boat machinery
“Stuff” under the boat that makes the boat go zoom zoom.

Evaluate.
Nothing
Gonna
Implode.
Nice,
Engineers
Evade
Repairs.

The titles in the engineering department are so much more straight forward to a civilian like me than the deck crew. Are you ready? The role below Chief Engineer is 1st Assistant Engineer. Then 2nd Assistant Engineer. Then…you guessed it… 3rd Assistant Engineer. Then Junior Engineer, Oiler, and General Vessel Assistant (similar to that on deck, but going the engineering path).

David poses for the camera in the "engineering photo spot" which is in front of computer screens and a table of buttons.
David looking technical in the spot that I have deemed as the “engineering photo spot”.

The 1st Assistant Engineer, David, has been with NOAA for 4 years and serves as the assistant to the chief. In fact, he has all the certifications, trainings, and classes to serve as a chief engineer. He is currently in the augmented pool (I describe this more in the deck crew post), but plans to get assigned to a vessel when there is an opening. His main responsibility is the Shipboard Automated Maintenance Management (SAMM) system. Think of it like an oil change light, but it lets you know everything you should be doing as preventative maintenance on the ship. It’s a great system to address issues with equipment before they even become issues.

How Did You Make Your Way To NOAA?
1. Hezekiah was in the U.S. Navy for 10 years in engineering and then laterally switched to NOAA.
2. Both David and Tom went to SUNY Maritime College and Solomon went to the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy
3. Drew started in the galley 1.5 years after high school and worked his way up through the engineer ranks.

The main job of the 2nd assistant engineer is all things fuel. Drew transfers fuel throughout the day between tanks and machinery that removes water, sediment, and other impurities from the fuel. He generates a daily report recording the amount of fuel, ballast, sewage, and potable water for the chief engineer. Like other engineers, he also does 8 hour watches through the belly of the ship to make sure everything is running smoothly. Tom is also a 2nd assistant engineer and added that they will do preemptive maintenance too. As part of the aug pool, Tom jumps around between vessels, though he will be on the Pisces for another month as there is a second leg of the AMAPPS mission. He enjoys being part of the aug pool because of the flexibility he has and he has a clear separation between work and personal life. He enjoys working for NOAA, but plans on working for the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association union more in the future. Drew shared with me that the 60 day on, 30 day off schedule that we’ve talked about previously is actually a new system that started about a year ago. Drew shared it means less overtime pay, but he prefers the new system because it’s a better quality of life. Drew started with NOAA in 2005 and is on a permanent placement with the Pisces, only second to the bosun!

Drew stands in front of the Fuel Oil Manifold, smiling for the camera
Drew
Tom poses for the camera in the "engineering photo spot"
Tom

The Junior Engineer onboard the Pisces for this leg is Danny. His job is to monitor and record data from various equipment throughout the day. He also has miscellaneous duties throughout the day such as standing watch and repairing mechanical equipment. Danny is shy and didn’t want to talk more about his journey, but I still wanted to make sure he was included!

Solomon is the just starting out in the merchant marine world, serving as a General Vessel Assistant but recently got his credentials to be an oiler. His main responsibility is to help the other engineers, particularly with cleaning (salt water does horrors on metal equipment!). He is part of the aug pool, and other ships may have him doing different responsibilities depending on the mission. He is interested in going back to school to become a reefer electrician (I had to use ChatGPT to figure this out, I thought I heard it wrong on my recording. But I didn’t – “reefer” is short for refrigeration) and he’s interested in still doing NOAA part time as well as working for a union.

What Should I Know About Pursuing This Path?

As you saw, there are quite a few pathways to becoming an engineer in the NOAA fleet. Here are some other tips shared by the guys on getting into this field:

  1. Take as many trades-like classes as you can while you’re in school (particularly high school), such as welding, mechanics, electrical, and construction.
  2. A four-year degree is not required, but that could get you into the door at other companies that have a degree requirement.
  3. The trainings, classes, and certification exams add up, about $35,000 for all the way to chief engineer. Find employers (like NOAA) that covers these costs as you grow and learn.
  4. Because NOAA supports people who want to come in brand new to the field, start at the bottom and try it out for a couple years to see if you like it. You will learn lots of soft skills since you are living and working with people 24/7 that will translate to other jobs.
  5. If you are interested in traveling the world, NOAA may not be a good fit since few ships travel outside of U.S. waters.

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Kiersten Newtoff: GO NOAA, BEAT ARMY, January 24, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 29, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 24, 2025
Data from the Bridge: N38°17’0″, W70°54’0″. 19kn winds. It says it’s 38°F, but I’m pretty sure it has said that for every single post so I suspect the temperature probe isn’t working.

Did you know that the NOAA Corp is a uniformed service? There are 8 total uniformed services, and NOAA is the smallest (about 337 personnel) – even smaller than the Space Force! I also legit had no idea the Space Force was a real thing. Huh. The more you know.

The NOAA Corps supports missions in understanding our oceans and atmosphere and its impact on humans such as fisheries, hurricanes, flood prediction, and resource management.  The Corps is essentially the officers that drive the boat, manage the people, and support the science missions. To join you need to have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field. If you’re interested in more research-based roles, the NOAA Corps may not be a good fit, but other NOAA offices are. If accepted, then you go through military medical screening, then officer training at the NOAA Corps Training Center at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and then lots of courses and trainings. From there you can pick one of two paths: maritime or aviation. Most Corps members go the maritime route; if you choose to go with aviation you’ll go through additional training. We’ll go through the different positions on the maritime side of things since that’s who I’ve been working with!

Excerpt: Into the Oceans and the Air (NOAA Corps Official Service Song)
Into storms we love to fly. Buckle in, we’ll reach the eye.
We survey the mountain tops, predicting floods and saving crops.
From the peaks to the coasts, we do soar.
We are the NOAA Corps!

Balancing Sea and Shore Assignments

In earlier posts, you learned how many of the crew positions have 60 days on ship and 30 days on shore schedules. The NOAA Corps officers do something similar, but just longer: they spend two years at sea and three years on land. Sometimes the shore assignment still includes some sea time, but for much shorter stints. This five-year cycle coincides nicely with the positions on board. After completing training, your first boat assignment will be as a Junior Officer where you learn the ropes of your boat and learn from the other officers on board. The next sea duty will be as an Operations Officer, then Executive Officer (XO), and finally as a Commanding Officer (CO). Going through all these positions would get you to 20 years, when you are eligible for a pension.

Commanding Officer (CO)

The head honcho on the Pisces is Commanding Officer Colin Kliewer (pronounced like ‘cleaver’). He makes the ultimate decision as to what the ship’s activities or plans are for any given day as well as overall operations. All operations on Pisces are ultimately his responsibility. His day-to-day is a combination of administrative and operational tasks. He works alongside the Executive Officer (XO) on administrative work and with the Chief Engineer on boat systems. He will also work with the Operations Officers and Chief Scientist to come up with the daily operational plan with regards to weather and other conditions.

Commander Kliewer smiling for the camera in the wet lab
Commander Kliewer in the wet lab.

Like many of the scientists on board, Commander Kliewer got his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. He always saw himself in public service; he applied to NOAA because he was able to serve and explore the country and the world. He started his journey in the NOAA Corps over 18 years ago, and he’s about to finish his CO position with the Pisces before heading to his next shore duty. Although he will be eligible for his pension in 2 years, he plans on staying in the Corps because there is a lot more he wants to experience and do. Commander Kliewer shares that the most crucial soft skill needed for the Corps is communication. He is a self-identified introvert (this surprises no one on board), but he recognizes how crucial good communication is to help improve operations and being aware of what’s is going on.

As I was working on this blog post, a small group of North Atlantic Right Whales hung out by the ship. These animals are critically endangered, with only about 360 or so left in the world. This is roughly around how many NOAA Corps members there are. Therefore, if we expand the NOAA Corps, then we will also have more right whales, because corps-elation = causation!
I’ll see myself out.

Executive Officer

If Commander Kliewer is the president of the Pisces, then Executive Officer Steve Moulton is the vice president. If the CO goes down, Steve’s #1 job is to take over his role. He will make sure he gets us home safe and sound. But a typical day is usually not the worst case scenario, so otherwise he is helping the CO administratively. He is the go-to guy for all personnel administration and logistics. As you’ve learned, people are switching between shore and ship duty often and he works with shore support to make sure that the Pisces has the appropriate personnel every cruise. Shoreside recruitment will also identify potential hires for open positions on the ship and the XO will conduct virtual interviews to make sure they are the right fit for the Pisces. Steve shares that being trustworthy and good-natured are crucial characteristics for this career. If you can work well with others, everything else can be taught (and NOAA provides lots of training!). His goal is to bring on someone who is willing to learn and works well with others.

Getting the right people is paramount. When you have the wrong type of person on a ship with 30-35 people per leg, things can get really difficult, really fast.
Steve

Steve is sitting at his desk, looking at the computer. His desk is a hodge podge of pieces to make it larger.
Steve getting his administrative duties on. I specifically wanted a picture of his desk, because he has engineered it to give him almost double the space.

Steve used to serve in the Coast Guard, primarily in the reserves and worked in industrial hygiene and OSHA compliance on job sites. When the Deepwater Horizon disaster happened, he worked a temporary, full-time position with the Coast Guard. There, he met quite a few people from NOAA and a Chief coast guard encouraged him to join the NOAA Corps. It was a great fit for him because he enjoyed science and education more than law enforcement and war. Steve will pass his XO reigns at the end of July and will start his 3ish years on shore duty in the DC area at headquarters. Since I’m local to the area I asked him about his commute. He will be taking the train, twice a day, for nearly 4 hours. Maybe he is trying to simulate being underway??

Operations Officers (Ops)

Nick and Ryan are the two operations officers on board. Their main job is to be the liaison between the ship and the science party. Ops know the capabilities of the ship and communicate with the science party to work within those parameters. This can include logistics in mobilization and demobilization, daily planning, and working with all departments to make sure equipment is ready for the project. They are also responsible for berthing, watch bills, fueling, course planning, and general reporting.

Ryan smiles for the camera out on deck.
The best picture of Ryan that’s ever been taken (his words, kinda).

Before NOAA, Ryan served in the Air Force as a medic for 6 years. After his tour, he used his GI bill to get a degree in meteorology with the plan to go to Officer Training School. He was accepted, but it would be another 3-4 years before he could start due to a bottleneck of people joining. He really liked the job security, pay, camaraderie, training style, and rigid framework, but he didn’t want to wait years before starting OTS. He decided to join NOAA to maintain the structure he wanted but on a timeline that was more reasonable. Ryan shares that having high emotional intelligence to assess situations and interactions with others is important for the service. While there are ranks and hierarchy, it’s more important to understand and appreciate the experience people have and to build good relationships with everyone, no matter their position. Nick adds that having initiative is also important. You can’t just wait to be given a task; you need to recognize what needs to be done and be proactive in your response.

Nick started in the NOAA Corps in 2017, but he had a lot of interesting adventures before then. In college he focused on biomechanics and locomotion research, played professional soccer in Germany (check out his college stats), and taught 7, 8, and 11th grades. Then one day he was hiking in the woods and met a guy who was trying to make friends because he moved a lot because he was a NOAA Corps Officer. They got to talking and the rest is history. I asked what inspired a change in career, and his response:

I like being on boats.
Nick

Emerson and Nick behind the control panels on the bridge. Both are looking away from the camera but still smiling.
Emerson (left) and Nick (right) on the bridge. Credit: Commander Kliewer

Junior Officer

Fresh(ish) from training are Junior Officers Emerson and Christy. As Junior Officers, their primary responsibility is to navigate the ship and conduct underway watches on the bridge. Their collateral duties (as an aside – I’d never heard of the term ‘collateral duties’ and had no idea what it meant. Like, you have to offer up something you own for work?? But during the interview I never asked even though Emerson said it like 5 times because I didn’t want to interrupt, so I just sat there nodding. I’ve since googled it; it’s essentially duties that aren’t your primary duties. Why they aren’t called secondary duties…) include serving as damage control officers. They ensure that the ship complies with emergency policies that are in place and are responsible for planning drills, debriefing afterwards, and addressing any concerns to make improvements.

The things we get to do are pretty cool.
Emerson

Emerson also serves as the Medical Person in Charge to handle and treat common injuries on board and follow protocols for more serious injuries and communicating with shore. As he got closer to finishing his undergraduate degree in environmental service, he was considering joining a uniformed service. Emerson learned about the NOAA Corps through his good friend Google. It really appealed to him because he could serve and also apply his science background on missions. He thinks that being curious, and having the mentality for continuous learning, will make you successful in the NOAA Corps. Having a want to learn new things and develop new skillsets will get you far.  

Christy smiling for the camera on the deck.
Christy on deck.

Some of the collateral duties that Christy does are serving as a navigation officer, environmental compliance officer (ECO), dive officer, and the manager of FUN. Because why do one thing when you can do many things? Her most important role (in my opinion) is leading the Morale, Wellness, and Recreation committee – we all live and work together for long periods of time, so keeping morale up is mission critical. Christy has both a bachelor’s and master’s in marine biology, but research wasn’t really scratching that itch. She studied abroad and did outdoor recreation programs but same thing – none of these really felt like the right fit. But there was a common thread – being on boats. And she liked boats. And boats liked her. A couple twists and turns later, and Christy joined the NOAA Corps. Christy is the epitome of adaptability – assignments and duties are constantly in flux, and you really need to be able to adjust so that you can function. You also have to be able to adapt to life at sea and maneuver how you approach friendships and relationships.

Does the NOAA Corps sound like something you want to pursue? Get started here!

Bonus!

So the picture below was the original picture of Steve. Notice how the light is glaring from the window? I don’t really do photo editing, so I don’t really know how to fix it. I know that Photoshop has some AI tools, so I tried that. I highlighted over the window and the glare and prompted “Remove Glare”.

Original picture of Steve in his office, with a noticeable glare from his window.

And the results were definitely not what I was expecting…

Results of Steve's picture using AI to remove the glare. AI added interesting backgrounds and changed Steve to have different hair styles and glasses.
Results of Steve's picture using AI to remove the glare. AI added interesting backgrounds and changed Steve to have different hair styles and glasses.
Results of Steve's picture using AI to remove the glare. AI added interesting backgrounds and changed Steve to have different hair styles and glasses.
Results of Steve's picture using AI to remove the glare. AI added interesting backgrounds and changed Steve to have different hair styles and glasses.
Results of Steve's picture using AI to remove the glare. AI added interesting backgrounds and changed Steve to have different hair styles and glasses.

At least he has some ideas of what looks good as far as hairstyles and glasses go!

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Kiersten Newtoff: Deck the Halls with Cranes and Winches. January 21, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 29, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 21, 2025
Data from the Bridge: N35°0’0″, W74°54’0″, off the coast of Hatteras, NC. 38°F outside, with 14kt winds.

If the kitchen is the soul of the ship then the deck crew is the heart. Without the deck crew, we could not run the science missions because they run all of the equipment (cranes, winches, etc.) and provide deck support 24/7. I appreciate the deck crew letting me interview them.  

Chief Boatswain

I have never been so confused with reading a word like I have with the word “boatswain”. Since I have 0 nautical knowledge, I have been pronouncing it like “boat-swane”. But it’s not. It’s pronounced “bo-sun”. And people will spell it that way too. I have heard of “bosun” from Below Deck, but had no idea that “boatswain” was the ‘official’ way of spelling it. It’s like donut instead of doughnut. I don’t like it.

Chief Bosun

Looking over the back deck of the Pisces, James is up a level controlling the winch. Tanya is looking toward the winch as she guides the line being wrapped. Tanya is in the foreground wrapping up rope.
When the bioacoustic array comes in, James controls the winch from an upper deck. Tasha is guiding the line to neatly place it on the spool and Tanya is wrapping the support rope to put it safely away.

There, that’s better. James is the big boss of the deck. He trains and teaches the deck crew, operates all the equipment on board, and oversees the small boats. His favorite is operating the fish trawls, but unfortunately, it’s been quite a few years since a science team has done that on the Pisces. James has been with the Pisces for 17 years! He is the only crew member that has been on the boat since it was commissioned, which means James has earned the “Plankowner” title. He plans on retiring in 3 years, at the 20 year mark, which he very much deserves. He previously did 20 years in the Navy and one year of teaching. He chose to join NOAA because they aren’t at sea as much as the Navy, so it means he can spend more time at home (a common theme we have been seeing with the crew!).

Lead/Skilled Fisherman

Here’s another position where I just don’t get the name. I hear “fisherman,” and I think of a person on the deck fishing. And if they are the lead fisherman, that means they catch more things because they are more skilled. More skilled than the “skilled fisherman”. Apparently, none of this is true. The ‘fisherman’ title comes from the type of vessel; the NOAA Pisces is a fisheries vessel with lots of gear needed for catching fish. Those with “Fisherman” titles are responsible for the usage, upkeep, and repair of the fishing gear. Rodney is a Skilled Fisherman but is filling in on this trip as the Lead Fisherman, since the Lead is on leave (more on how scheduling works later on). Rodney oversees the day-to-day operations, operates the cranes, serves as the rescue boat coxswain (like boatswain, this word is not pronounced anything like how it’s spelled), does security rounds, bridge watches, and assists in science operations. Many of these duties overlap with the bosun, but Rodney is on the night shift. He started about 1.5 years ago as a General Vessel Assistant and has been working his way up, hopefully to bosun some day! His hometown community was full of fishermen and merchant mariners, which influenced his path. He had some bumps here and there, but when he started at NOAA, he truly found a career he was passionate about. He enjoys giving back to his community by guest speaking at the Bluewater Maritime School, where he trained at.

I love this boat. I love the camaraderie. I love the people.
Rodney

Able Seaman
(AB; sometimes also referred as Able-bodied Seaman)

On the side deck of the Pisces. In the tower (side sampling station) is Rodney, looking down on Lily and Santanna on the lower deck. They are stnading around the bongo before it gets lifted into the ocean.
Rodney is in the side sampling station controlling the winch that lets out the bongo. Lily and Santanna get in position to guide the bongo over the railing.

The Able Seaman role wears many hats: they do lookout, drive helm, sanitation, keep the ship spotless, mooring lines, anchor the ship, preservation of the ship, help with the science party, work oceanographic equipment, and drive small boats. If you need to do anything on the boat, they are probably right alongside you. There are three Able Seamen on the Pisces: Tanya, Tasha, and Santanna. Tanya and Tasha are part of the aug pool (more on that soon), and Santanna is attached to the Pisces. Tanya used to work in property and casualty insurances but wanted to try something new. She took advantage of the Workforce Investment Act to get training to become an AB. Tasha worked in healthcare for 19 years but also had a twinkle for the ocean as her dad and husband served in the Navy. As her kids got older, it was easier for her to be away at sea. Santanna is a friend of the seas, having worked in the Military Sealift Command resupplying Navy ships. He enjoys the sea life but wanted to be home more and NOAA enables him to do so. He just started, this is his second cruise, but he has been enjoying it so far!

General Vessel Assistant (GVA)

When you first get started on deck, you likely will come in as a General Vessel Assistant. Your roles are more limited such as just working with sanitation, repair, and cleaning. But NOAA offers lots of training and credentials to learn skills to become an Able Seaman and more. At the moment, the Pisces doesn’t have any GVAs in the deck crew, but that can definitely change over time!

The Deck Crew, a limerick

All aboard the NOAA Pisces
James has sailed with her over many seas
Santanna and Rodney are permanent crew
While Tanya and Tasha fill in for a few
Working together makes tasks a breeze

How Does Scheduling Work?

Many positions on board are 60 days on and 30 days off. “On” refers to being on the boat, and “off” referring to shore work. This helps to prevent fatigue of living on a vessel and gives time for family. Leave can be used when on shore, or personnel can do training or other tasks. Although someone may have 30 days off of the Pisces, the ship is still operating as usual. This is where the augmented (or aug) pool comes in. Crew members can choose to be in the aug pool versus permanently assigned to a ship. In the aug pool, you share your availability for the year and vessels will reach out to the pool to fill positions for when a crew member is “off”. This isn’t just reserved for deck positions, the aug pool is for every position on the ship that isn’t filled by a NOAA Corps member (more on them in a future post). The aug pool is still a fully benefited position and can be great for someone who wants more flexibility, but with that it means you need to be adaptable. You’ll be working on different boats with different people constantly, which for some is a welcomed challenge! It’s important to reflect on your work style to choose what would be best for you.

How Can I Work on Deck?

Requirements

  1. Get your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC)
  2. Get a passport, or ensure yours is current
  3. Get your Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Tips

  1. Try to learn about as many jobs as possible and soak up all the knowledge you can.
  2. The earlier you start the better; you’ll start at the bottom and have to work your way up.
  3. Get as much sea time in as possible.
  4. Go to maritime school (partial list here).
  5. Work hard no matter your position. Word gets around about your work ethic to other ships.
Tasha and Robert are on the back deck in warm weather gear. Tasha is holding the line that connects to the acoustic array that Robert is holding.
This photo was too cute to not share. Here Tasha and Robert pose with the bioacoustic array.
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Kiersten Newtoff: WiFi and Memes, Do We Really Need Anything Else? January 17, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 29, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 17, 2025
Data from the Bridge: Located at N37°23’0″, W75°5’0″, off the coast of Eastern Shore. A bit chilly at 38°F and very gusty at 21kt wind.

Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs, with "WIFI" added to the base.
A modern take on Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs. Credit: Tolu Aibana

Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs outlines what humans need, arranged in a pyramid. The base of the pyramid starts with physiological needs, including things like food, water, shelter, and sleep. As a general rule, people can’t address needs that are higher in the pyramid until their needs are met lower in the pyramid. It’s been jested that a new level be added to the base of the pyramid: WiFi. Having WiFi or just internet in general can help attain the needs in the pyramid. It is an interesting theory that we have been putting to the test on the Pisces.

Here enters Alex, the Chief Electronics Technician (ET). He handles all things related to electronic equipment, including WiFi. There have been some difficulties getting everyone connected to the internet and it’s been eye opening to see just how much we rely on it. I remember growing up that you had to be hard-lined in, using a phone line, and it was so incredibly slow. WiFi didn’t exist and using the internet was limited. Now 30 years later, our society can barely function without it (I say as I write this blog post, online).

A meme that says "The Internet is Broken!" at top. The picture on the left is of two women yelling and it's titled "Everyone" and the picture on the right is a white cat sitting at a dinner table with a scowl with the text "ET".
Artist: Ian

To the crew, WiFi may seem to be the most important job, but Alex takes care of so much more. He starts every morning checking and testing the SOS system, because “I don’t know about y’all, but I don’t want to be going in that water.” Same Alex, same. After checking the SOS system, he checks in with the crew on the ship to see how they are doing and if they have anything that needs to be updated, changed, fixed, etc. The equipment on a ship takes a beating between wind, waves, and salt. He maintains office hours during the day so that anyone can stop on by and ask him for help with an issue.

Alex the Electronics Techniciation sits at his desk, looking at the camera.
Alex, Chief Electronics Technician aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

This is Alex’s first solo NOAA cruise, but he has been working in the field for quite a long time. He was in the Navy for 4 years, went to community college, completed his bachelors in Neuroscience and Electrical Engineering, and worked in private sector electronics positions. He’s excited for this new role as he is passionate about science and how NOAA does research to benefit people and the environment.

How Can I Become an ET?

The most common pathway to this role is serving in the Navy as either an AET (Advanced Electronics Technician) or an EM (Electrician’s Mate), which is what Alex did as well as some private sector jobs. In these roles you gain valuable experience that directly transfers to the ET role at NOAA. If you don’t want to do military service, here’s some other things you can do to get your foot in the door:

  1. Go to trade school for electrician training (make sure to pay attention to all the electrical theory!)
  2. Go through certification pathways
  3. Find an electrical apprenticeship
  4. Join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union
  5. Pursue IT positions
  6. Take classes on Radio Frequency (RF) theory
A 6 panel meme, the text goes "Seas are Rough", "Pop a Meckie", "We low in Meckies". The corresponding images are of a dummy head with hands on his head and it says "Panik". The second one is a dummy head that says "Kalm". And the third is a dummy head with hands on his head and shaking saying "Panik".
Meckie = Meclizine, medicine for motion sickness. Artist: Ian

While Alex makes sure that everything is up and running, Ian the Survey Technician will use the equipment for water monitoring, ocean floor mapping, and helping to facilitate the science however he can. He works with a lot of different systems, such as the:

  1. TSG (thermosalinograph): Water is pumped through the TSG which measures temperature and salinity. Using these variables, we can calculate how fast sound waves are traveling through water.
  2. EK-80: This echosounder uses a single beam of sound and listens for the echo which provides information on how deep the water is and things that may be below the ship, such as fish.
  3. EM2040: Similar to the EK-80, but instead uses multiple beams. This is used in mapping the seafloor since it has a wider swath and a higher resolution.
  4. SIS: The Seafloor Information System visualizes what the EM2040 is gathering. 
  5. SCS: The Scientific Computing System allows for the real-time conveyance of oceanographic variables to the science team and other crews.

When the bioacoustics array is out, Ian puts many of the systems in passive mode so that they don’t emit any sound waves. Otherwise, the sound would make it difficult for the bioacoustics team to hear marine mammals through the hydrophones.

Ian’s other job on board is making memes. I’m not even joking. There is a screen in the galley that he updates every morning with information about the day plan, food menu, riddles, and memes. What is great about the memes though is that they reflect something that is going on with the ship and this applicability makes all of them so much funnier. He also helps manage the morale fund, which NOAA supplies for making t-shirts, organizing outings, and more. When you are on a ship with the same people for long periods of time, especially in rough weather, morale is mission critical.

Tips on Becoming a Survey Technician

Ian, the survey technician, stands next to a switchboard panel and other electronics.
Ian, Survey Technician aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
  1. The military route isn’t as common for survey techs versus ET but can still be helpful getting sea time and experience in rough weather, particularly the Navy. (Ian served in the Marine Corps Reserve for 6 years).
  2. Get an undergraduate degree in marine biology, hydrography, or geology
  3. College of Charleston has a BEAMS program which teaches students nearly every aspect of a Survey Technician; this is where Ian went. There are also programs in Mississippi and New Hampshire.
  4. Try out a lot of different positions and apply for everything
  5. Make sure that you are okay being away from family and friends >8 months of the year. Develop good communication plans with your loved ones.
  6. Be good at making memes.

Keeping the Crew Happy, a haiku

WiFi and good memes,
Do we need anything else?
Snopes, morale is high.

Posted on

Kiersten Newtoff: The Fastest Way to a Scientist’s Heart is Through Their Stomach, January 13, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 29, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 13, 2025
Current Location: 38°02.141′ N, 73°30.716 W (you can follow us on Windy in real time!)
Weather from the Bridge:

Team Spotlight: The Michelin Stars

While the purpose of NOAA cruises is conducting science, it’s not just scientists on board. There is a whole community of people who make the day-to-day on the Pisces possible. In addition to the blog series on the different science teams, we will also meet the different teams that run the Pisces. First stop – the galley.

The kitchen is the soul of the ship.
Jean

Meet Jean and Julius, easily the most loved crew members of all because they keep our bellies full of the good stuff. You know how you overeat during the holidays and when they pass you try and workout more and lessen your eating? Yeah, this cruise right after the holidays is definitely not the time to start a new diet. Jean and Julius make us three meals a day, and lunch and dinner always have dessert! I attempt to only grab 2-3 food items from the buffet bar, but it’s really hard and I rarely do. And how does someone not take dessert when they are just sitting there, waiting to be consumed? I guess I’ll start with those New Year’s resolutions after getting back.

The Michelin Stars make a wide variety of dishes each day that accommodates the diets of the 34 folks on board, and everything is incredibly delicious. Not only do they make sure that everyone has something substantial to eat; they also take care of the crew that have to miss meals based on their shift. I’m impressed that they are always so prompt with the meals; always finished the moment the meal starts. If you have seen the reality TV show Below Deck, you know that the food is never on time. I had no idea what to expect as I’ve never done a trip like this before, so most of my boat knowledge comes from that show. And it’s nothing like this. NOAA Pisces is so much better!

a view into the galley (the kitchen) across the buffet bar. in the foreground is a selection of dishes - vegetables, rice, sweet potatoes, maybe chicken - in metal bins with serving utensils. beyoned a metal counter is the open ktichen area. Jean stands in front, near a kitchen island, and Julius at the back of the kitchen.
Jean (foreground) and Julius (background) put the finishing touches on dinner.

Meet the Michelin Stars

The chief steward on board is Jean (pronounced like “John” but fancier) and the second cook is Julius. Jean is half black – half Panamanian, where he grew up. His parents met in Panama where his father was working. Jean used to work in offshore drilling, but during the COVID shutdowns, only small teams were working. Jean really wanted stability in his career and his mom, who works for NOAA, recommended filling out an application with the agency. Jean got the position and began in the laundry department. While he doesn’t work for NOAA, his dad works as a chief steward on a University of Hawaii vessel. Something tells me that Jean was destined for a chief steward role in NOAA. His first assignment was on Rainier, which experienced a fire in September 2023. Jean was on the fire team and after 3 hours the team was able to control and extinguish it. None of the 41 passengers on the ship were injured, but there was quite a bit of damage and the ship had to be towed from America Samoa to Honolulu. Since the Rainier was out of commission, Jean needed to transfer to another boat. He already knew some people aboard the Pisces and shared that it is important to have good working relationships with your crew. Jean only recently was promoted to Chief Steward, and so far, he is really enjoying the role because he gets to make decisions and please people.

Julius is a man of many hats. When he first started with NOAA in 2014, he started on deck and moved to sewage and engine before settling in as the second cook. Technically, he is assigned to the Brown, but it has been docked for repairs for Julius has been floating around different vessels. He plans on making a switch to the Pisces because he really likes the crew and working with Jean. Julius doesn’t have a culinary background, but he’s picked up a lot of skills from floating around departments and working with the different stewards for the past decade. Of all the positions he has worked, he enjoys working in the kitchen the most.

Julius and Jean do more than just cook though, there’s a lot of moving pieces to make a perfect meal. They have to inspect and repair the cooking vent systems, manage the linens, make menus (3 per day!), and ensure that dishes are clean and sanitary and not break during foul weather.

If the food’s good, people are going to be happy.
    Jean

Jean and Julius stand on opposite sides of a metal counter in the galley (kitchen). Jean is wearing black latex gloves and working with what might be chicken; next to him is something large wrapped in foil. An open can of diced tomatoes, a can of cooking spray, and some other containers are visible on the corner. Julis faces away from the camera.
Jean (left) and Julius (right) preparing the crew meal in the kitchen.

I asked the Michelin Stars about their favorite parts of their job. Julius says he really enjoys cooking and he likes seeing the crews’ faces light up as they eat something good. I think I can easily say that everyone on board loves the food, so hopefully we have been bringing them lots of enjoyment! Jean’s initial answer is that he likes getting off work and getting paid. I mean, you can’t really fault him for that, because same. He then agreed with Julius, and I am choosing to believe that would have been his real answer.

They both agreed that the hardest part of the job is being away from home so much. Julius has a wife and two kids at home and Jean has a partner at home. Jean shares that it’s hard getting into arguments when you can’t really make up. They have missed birthdays, anniversaries, and other important milestones, which is difficult. But the stableness of a position with NOAA and doing something they truly love to do has helped get through the difficulty times.

How Can You Work in the Steward Department?

Both Jean and Julius would look on USAJobs for positions with NOAA but couldn’t find any. Julius then went to the NOAA website where he found a position for the deck crew that he applied for. He got the position, but soon after boarding, he asked if he could work as a second cook, which they granted. Jean didn’t find much on the NOAA website (this was during the shutdowns when he was looking), but fortunately his mom works at NOAA and was able to forward along some job opportunities.

Neither Jean or Julius started in the steward department, they both worked their way up. You likely will have to start at a lower rank, but your work ethic will be noticed – and that goes in both directions. Although NOAA ships are found all across the US, nearly everyone knows everyone else. If you change ships, you can guarantee that word about your work ethic has already spread to your new crew. And if your work ethic is as great as Jean and Julius’, then you will be going places.

Breakfast, a Limerick
It’s 0600 and breakfast is ready.
Half of the crew is there already.
Pancakes, bacon, sausage, and cereal,
All the best for a perfect meal.
Lunch is next, hoping for spaghetti!