engineer – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

January 30, 2025January 30, 2025

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 — “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 1^st Assistant Engineer. Then 2^nd Assistant Engineer. Then…you guessed it… 3^rd 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 1^st 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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" — **Drew**

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:

Take as many trades-like classes as you can while you’re in school (particularly high school), such as welding, mechanics, electrical, and construction.
A four-year degree is not required, but that could get you into the door at other companies that have a degree requirement.
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.
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.
If you are interested in traveling the world, NOAA may not be a good fit since few ships travel outside of U.S. waters.

September 23, 2024November 5, 2024

Tonya Prentice: Sailing into New Horizons, August 26, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Tonya Prentice
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Date: September 20, 2024

Weather Data from Bass Harbor, Maine
Latitude: 44.253636º N
Longitude: 68.34944º W
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Air Temperature: 15° Celsius (59° F)

Science and Technology Log

Tremont Consolidated School’s Drifter Buoys: Exploring Ocean Data in Real-Time!

I was so thrilled to learn that Tremont Consolidated School (TCS) had been given two drifter buoys, allowing our students to participate in a cutting-edge, real-world scientific endeavor. Through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, our students will track these buoys as they gather crucial data from the ocean. This is a hands-on, dynamic opportunity that infuses real-time ocean observing system data into our science curriculum! NOAA Adopt a Drifter Program

Track Tremont Consolidated School’s drifting buoys here:
https://adp.noaa.gov/trackadrifter/tremont-consolidated-school

a screenshot from the webpage for Tremont Consolidated School's drifting buoy. It lists the adoption date (August 9, 2024) and the ID number (WMO #5301664.) It displays the Drifter ID card, with info on where it was deployed, and shows a graph of temperature readings over time, and a small map of the trajectory. — View of the tracking webpage for Drifter #1

What’s a Drifting Buoy? A drifting buoy, also called a drifter, is a floating data collection device that travels with ocean currents. These drifters are equipped to record various ocean parameters such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and wave height, all while transmitting this data hourly via satellite. The buoys provide valuable insights into oceanic conditions that impact weather forecasts, climate models, and even search and rescue operations.

Why Deploy One? The data collected by drifters offers key information that supports a wide range of scientific and practical applications. This data helps scientists understand how the ocean circulates, predict the movement of marine debris or oil spills, and make better weather predictions. By tracking our adopted drifters, TCS students will gain firsthand experience in how this scientific data is used to analyze the ocean and its far-reaching impacts.

Bringing Science to Life for TCS Students At TCS, students in our science classes will be tracking and recording the drifter buoys’ locations and analyzing the data collected. They will plot coordinates on maps, explore ocean currents, and make connections between the data they collect and global environmental patterns. This interactive project brings abstract science concepts into a tangible experience, encouraging inquiry, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship.

Tonya, wearing bright orange overalls, a life vests, and a hard hat, poses for a photo with the drifting buoy. in this view we mostly see the drogue (folded up tail.) it's a beautiful day with bright blue skies and sparking ocean in the distance. — Me deploying the first drifter buoy.

close up view of the buoy: a round blue ball, with stickers reading TREMONT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL — Me deploying the first drifter buoy.

Personal Log

Sailing into New Horizons: A Farewell as a NOAA Teacher at Sea

As I sit here reflecting on my time aboard the NOAA research vessel, it’s hard to believe this chapter has come to an end. When I first applied to the NOAA Teacher at Sea program, I knew I would embark on a unique adventure, but I could never have imagined the profound impact this journey would have on me, both as an educator and as a person.

The early mornings watching the sunrise over the open ocean, the long hours of data collection, and the camaraderie of working alongside scientists and crew members—each moment has left an indelible mark. One of the highlights was observing the way oceanographic data is collected in real-time. Deploying CTDs, collecting plankton samples, and witnessing firsthand the vastness of our oceans reinforced the importance of understanding and protecting these ecosystems.

The lessons I’ve learned during this voyage are invaluable. I can’t wait to bring the excitement of real-world science into my classroom, showing my students that science isn’t just something they read about—it’s something they can experience. From tracking ocean currents to analyzing marine species, my students will have the opportunity to become oceanographers themselves, right in the classroom. I know the drifter buoy project, in particular, will captivate their imaginations.

This journey has rekindled my passion for inquiry-based learning and has reminded me that we, as educators, are lifelong learners. I’ve also come to understand the deep responsibility we have to educate the next generation about the importance of our oceans and the need for sustainable practices.

Of course, this experience would not have been possible without the incredible support of NOAA and the crew of the research vessel. Thank you to the scientists who patiently answered my endless questions and to the crew members who made me feel like part of the team. Your dedication to ocean science is inspiring.

As I sail back toward the shores of Maine, I’m filled with excitement for what lies ahead. I look forward to integrating what I’ve learned into my 7th and 8th-grade curriculum, empowering my students to become stewards of the environment. I also hope to encourage more teachers to take part in this incredible program.

Though this chapter is ending, I know it’s just the beginning of a deeper connection with the ocean and its mysteries. As Jacques Cousteau once said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” And I, for one, am happily caught in that net.

Group photo on the aft deck of the ship. The A frame towers in the background. There are fifteen people in this photo. Tanya is in the center of the front row, wearing her Teacher at Sea shirt and hat. — The Henry B. Bigelow Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey Crew!

Four people stand on the bridge of the ship. In the foreground, Tanya, wearing her Teacher at Sea hat, stands near the control panel and smiles for the photo, while Ensign Remigio stands nearby, looking down. Two other NOAA Corps officers stand at a different control panel in the background but face the camera. — ENS Danielle Remigio (left) teaching me how to drive the ship.

Tanya, wearing orange overalls and a life vest over her Teacher at Sea t-shirt, kneels on one knee near the end of the bongo net. She holds a hose nozzle in her right hand and sprays the net into a bucket. She looks up to smile for the camera. — ENS Danielle Remigio (left) teaching me how to drive the ship.

In the computer lab, Chris and Tonya sit at a desk, both looking at the same computer screen. Tonya extends her right arm to write on a datasheet attached to a clipboard, while her left, resting below, holds an intercom microphone. — Chris Melrose (back), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (front) monitoring the CTD.

August 13, 2024August 18, 2024

Tonya Prentice: Getting Ready, August 11, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Tonya Prentice

Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 11, 2024

Weather Data from Newport, RI
Latitude: 41.53036 º N
Longitude: 71.31850º W
Wind Speed: SSW at 8 mph
Air Temperature: 25° Celsius (77° F)

Science and Technology Log

Although our mission has been delayed by few days, there is still plenty of work to be done on board the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. The deck crew and engineering department have been working hard to prepare for our departure tomorrow morning.

Today, I had the opportunity to tag along with Kate and Patrick, two of our engineers, to learn more about the pre-check work they were completing. “On board ship, it is very important to keep the updated record of the quantity of liquids (in all forms) present in various tanks.” (Marine in Sight)

As part of the pre-check, Kate and Patrick recorded the readings from sensors, then manually checked the level of each fuel, bilge, and ballast water tank in a process known as “sounding” the tanks. They applied Kolor Kut paste to sound tape in the measurement range reported by the sensors and lowered the tape to the bottom of the tank. Upon retrieval, the paste changes color—from light pink to red for fuel and from brown to red for water—indicating the levels.

Kate and Patrick compared these manual measurements with the sensor readings to ensure the sensors were accurately reporting the levels. Then they used a table to convert the measurements to the number of barrels. Soundings are crucial for identifying leakages or losses of fuel, maintaining the ship’s stability, and ensuring that sufficient fuel and water are aboard for the voyage.

two people kneel on the deck of the ship over an open (uncapped) hole. Kate, left, holds a measuring tape reel and turns the crank. Patrick, right, guides the end of the measuring tape into the reel, gripping it with a rag. An open can of pink glue sits nearby. — Kate (left) and Patrick (right) checking the fuel levels.

Two people stand in the engine room. Patrick, right, holds the tape measure reel. Kate, left, guides the end of the tape measure toward something on the wall. — Kate (left) and Patrick (right) checking the fuel levels.

Personal Log

Meet My Roommates! There are so many amazing people aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow for this mission. I would like to introduce you to my roommates who were kind enough to let me interview them for my blog and share information about their science career paths.

Karen stands in a field holding a Canada goose under her right arm. She wears a long sleeve shirt, black gloves, and a baseball cap. — Karen Beatty (Animals were handled in accordance with state and federal permits.)

Emma stands one what is probably a boat in a marsh and holds up a snake for a photo. She wears orange fish gloves and a green high visibility vest. — Karen Beatty (Animals were handled in accordance with state and federal permits.)

What is your science degree, and how did you become interested in this field?

Emma Venarde recently graduated from Brown University with a double degree in Environmental Science, focused on Environmental Justice, and Music. Emma has always had a love for nature and became passionate about climate change as a child. She joined the Youth Climate Program and realized that she wanted to better understand human impact and discover ways to help humans and other animals and how they are affected by climate change.

Karen Beatty earned her bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Michigan State University, worked as an environmental consultant for five years, and recently graduated with a master’s in Ecology from Penn State University. Initially, Karen was interested in becoming a veterinarian, but she learned that she preferred working with exotic animals and focusing on their behavioral health. This led her to an interest in becoming a zookeeper but eventually transitioned to wildlife biology. For her master’s, Karen aimed to deepen her quantitative knowledge and understanding of anthropogenic disturbances.

What motivated you to become a NOAA at-sea volunteer?

Last summer, Emma participated in the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) and decided to apply for another internship opportunity through NOAA student opportunities. She sought more experience in fieldwork, particularly in collecting data and understanding how it’s used for ocean energy. This unique experience aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow is something she wouldn’t typically get, and she’s thrilled to be part of it.

Karen joined this mission as a fellow of the Knauss Fellowship. She believes this fellowship will not only enhance her fieldwork experience, especially in data collection and analysis but will also help her achieve a federal career aligned with conservation and policy development.

What advice would you give my students who are interested in a science career?

Emma: We need more people who are not just good at understanding science but are also able to communicate, collaborate, and think critically.

Karen: Be well-rounded! Interdisciplinary learning is crucial. Having a solid understanding of and skills in math, communication, policy, and regulations is essential to being a successful scientist.

This is our stateroom, also known as a cabin, that we will be sharing for the next two weeks. It’s a cozy space designed for practicality, consisting of four bunks, a small office area, lockers for our personal belongings, and a bathroom with a shower. While the quarters are tight, it’s amazing how efficiently everything is arranged to make life at sea as comfortable as possible. We’ve settled in nicely, and this space will be our little home away from home as we embark on this exciting mission aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

view of lockers in stateroom; we can see survival suits and life preservers stacked on top — Lockers

view of a small desk, with a computer monitor, next to a locker. — Lockers

Did You Know?

Scup, also known as porgy, “can live a relatively long time, up to about 20 years.” (NOAA Fisheries)

Scup enjoying a snack alongside the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

August 11, 2023August 16, 2023

Gail Tang: Teacher NOT at Sea, July 14, 2023

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Gail Tang

Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette

August 4, 2023 – September 1, 2023

Mission: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (HICEAS)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Hawaiian archipelago

Date: July 14, 2023

Update!

We got notification that we have a Chief Engineer. However, we also got news that the ship needs some repair. The new sail date is now Friday July 21, which means I will not be able to sail on Leg 1 and that I will be returning home. Luckily, Chief Scientist Erin Oleson, the Teacher at Sea Program, and my university granted me permission to sail on Leg 2 of the HICEAS Survey! I will teach my classes on board NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette, so I will truly be a Teacher at Sea!

Engineer Highlight

In my previous post, I talked about the structure of the crew on the ship. We currently have four engineers on the ship: Jason Dlugos (3rd Assistant Engineer), Dylan Hepburn (3rd Assistant Engineer), Greg White (JUE), and Shannica (Neek) Matthews (General Vessel Assistant). I was fortunate to spend a good deal of time with each of the engineers. The engineers are responsible for a myriad of tasks on the ship, and the primary one is making sure the engines of the ship function properly. The engine room also holds generators, as well as the salt water filtration system that cools the ship and provides the ship with drinking and cleaning water. I am simplifying the engine room for this post, but it is very clear that the jobs of the engineers on the ship are absolutely crucial to mission success.

Shannica crouches in the engine room, gripping a ribbed yellow hose with her right hand. She's turned her head to call to someone over her left shoulder. She wears yellow earphones. She is surrounded by machinery, pipes, other yellow hoses, and a row of wrenches mounted on the wall behind her. — Shannica (Neek) Matthews, General Vessel Assistant, Wiper in the Engine Room

Greg stands between two of the ship's large engines and looks directly at the camera, his hands on long rails that line each engine. His earphones are propped up high on his head, not covering his ears at the moment. — Greg White, Junior Engineer (JUE) in the Engine Room

In this photo, taken from an outer, lower, deck (or perhaps the dock) we are looking up at two levels of decks above the main. On the highest deck, Jason leans over the rail, supporting himself on a lower railing rung, to smile for the photo. Behind him we see two bright orange fast rescue boats in their storage berths, and a mounted satellite system. Below Jason, Dylan leans casually on a rail on a lower deck. — Top: Jason Dlugos, 3rd Assistant Engineer. Bottom: Dylan Hepburn, 3rd Assistant Engineer.

In this post, I will share some of my conversations with Neek. Neek’s homebase is in Virginia. After high school, she worked in the shipyard painting ships and installing insulation. She spent most of her time at dry dock, but then learned about opportunities working on traveling vessels. She started looking into jobs on vessels that explored the world. Now, she splits her time working on ships at the shipyard and ships out at sea. Through her job, she’s traveled nationally to Seattle and Hawaii, as well as internationally to Japan, Greece, Italy, and France. She said it’s the best decision she’s ever made! What she enjoys the most about her work is that she gets to solve problems and be creative.

In her current position, Neek is learning new things in the engine room so that she can work more within that department in the future. Her company is also sponsoring her to take classes to further her engineering career. As the Wiper, she performs her work in every space of the ship. She describes her responsibilities as keeping spaces clean (picking up trash and wiping down oil and water), and making sure everything is secure. Both cleanliness and security are very important for all of our safety aboard the ship. When I’ve run into Neek on the ship, she’s been working with Dylan on fixing plumbing on toilets, examining leaks, and using the technique of sounding to measure the height of fluids in tanks. Unfortunately, Neek is only on Leg 1 so we will miss sailing with each other on NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette! Regardless, it’s been a blast hanging out with her and the other engineers!

Science and Technology Log

The Marine Mammal Observers (MMO), Birders, and I continue to help the Monk Seal and Green Turtle groups prepare for their projects. Since everything is so new to me, I really enjoy learning about the science!

I helped Biologist Shawn Murakawa from the Marine Turtle Biology & Assessment Program sort green turtle humeri! In my conversations with Shawn and in my reading of the National Sea Turtle Aging Laboratory Protocol for Processing Sea Turtle Bones for Age Estimation (Goshe et al., 2020) she provided, I learned about the process and will provide a summary of it below.

Humeri bones are important in estimating the turtle’s age and growth since there are currently no known age estimating techniques using external structures. By looking at the cross-sections of these humerus bones, scientists can analyze growth marks to estimate the age of a turtle—similar to looking at the rings of a tree, but not quite. This age-estimation method is called skeletochronology. Before all this, scientists need to carefully clean the humerus bones and then dry them—a process that can take up to 30 days. Measurements of the bones such as diameter and length are taken, followed by cutting cross sections. Thin 2-3 cm cross-sections are decalcified and then stained with hematoxilyn. The stained thin section is now ready to be mounted on a slide for imaging. An example of the final result for a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is shown below:

a blue, vaguely oval-shaped image that reveals a discernible growth rings. two points along a horizontal line are labeled "A - annulus"; a red line connects the two, with the measurement 7.57 mm. The annulus seems to span the middle of the image, before the rings start. Two points, farther out from the center, are labeled "B" and connected with a horizontal red line with the measurement 11.95 mm (maybe). This may mark the outer range of the clearly readable rings. — Stained cross section of a humerus bone from a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle

I helped to sort bones that were already dried. If the clearing and drying process is not sufficient, the bones begin to degrade and are no longer useful for skeletochronology. My job (then Suzanne Yin, Allan Ligon, and Dawn Breese joined me later) was to sort the bones into three categories:
1) moldy bones for discarding
2) good candidates for skeletochronology that came from turtles with no tumors from Fibropapillomatosis
3) good candidates for skeletochronology that came from turtles with tumors from Fibropapillomatosis.

According to the NOAA (2011), fibropapillomatosis is a tumor-causing disease that debilitates sea turtles and can cause death depending on the severity and size of the tumors. While the disease is most common in green sea turtles, it is now found in all seven sea turtle species. It is not yet known how this disease is spread or caused so there is not yet any treatment for it.

a hand holds up a thick bone, maybe 6 inches in length, sealed in plastic, above a plastic bin on a metal table. — Turtle Humerous Bone

Gail takes a selfie in front of a metal table containing six or seven plastic-wrapped bones — Turtle Humerous Bone

Later, Yin organized a group of us to go take a tour of the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB), a University of Hawaiʻi campus on Moku o Loʻe (Coconut Island). Lars Bejder, the director of the Marine Mammal Research Program at the institute, was our host and gave us a tour of the labs on the islands. Some of the research conducted by the labs include testing out shark deterrents, creating structures to grow coral, and recording the body condition indices of female whales during gestation and after birth. For internship and volunteer opportunities, check out their webpage: https://www.himb.hawaii.edu/education/interns_volunteers/

a line of people stand looking over a railing on a pier over calm, inland water. one man points his right arm to direct their gaze. beyond the water is a shoreline with buildings and palm trees. something - nets or scientific sampling equipment - extends from the pier down into the water. — Touring the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology

Lars stands at a table in a laboratory, his hands on a paper chart in front of him. also on the table are large conical, spiral things, perhaps bones or coral structures. four women on the tour stand around the table and look at the chart. — Touring the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology

After the tour, we listened to a talk by Jessica Kendall-Barr, a Scripps Postdoctoral Scholar at the Center for Marine Biotechnology & Biomedicine at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in UC San Diego, on the sleeping behavior of Elephant Seals. Jessica’s integrated art and science into her talk which made it very engaging. She did a really good job motivating the research and outlining the implications of the results. In a nutshell, wild animals have developed sleeping adaptations to balance feeding and sleeping while avoiding predation (Kendall-Barr et al., 2023). For example, “cows sleep-chew, horses sleep-stand, ostriches sleep-stare, and frigate birds sleep-fly” (Kendall-Barr et al., 2023, p.260). After developing a new submersible system to record brain activity, heart rate, depth of dive and elephant seal motion, Kendall-Barr et al. (2023) showed that elephant seals sleep-spiral at depths of approximately 300 m, where they are largely out of sight of predators, for a total of about 2 hours a day over the course of 7 months. The results have implications on conservation efforts as well as aid in understanding conditions for human free divers.

You can access the article here:

Brain activity of diving seals reveals short sleep cycles at depth

References:

Goshe, L.R., L. Avens, M.L. Snover, and A.A. Hohn. 2020. National Sea Turtle Aging Laboratory Protocol for processing sea turtle bones for age estimation. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-746, 49 p. https://doi.org/10.25923/gqva-9y22.

Kendall-Bar, J., Williams, T., Mukherji, R., Lozano, D., Pitman, J., Holser R., Keates, T., Beltran, R., Robinson, P., Crocker, D., Adachi, T., Lyamin, O., Vyssotski, A., & Costa, D. (2023). Brain activity of diving seals reveals short sleep cycles at depth. Science, 380, 260-265. DOI:10.1126/science.adf0566

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Fisheries. (2011, February 11). Fibropapillomatosis and Sea Turtles – Frequently Asked Questions. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/fibropapillomatosis-and-sea-turtles-frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFibropapillomatosis%2C%E2%80%9D%20commonly%20referred%20to,also%20form%20in%20internal%20organs.

Personal Log

I had been looking forward to sailing since 2019 and was thrilled to finally meet the scientists and crew; they are all so inspiring! Each task the Chief Sci had us work on was all so exciting and new. I truly enjoyed working with the MMOs and Birders to support the monk seal and green turtle research teams. When I first got the notification that the mission was delayed a second time, curtailing it to just one week at sea, I was devastated because it meant I would be probably going home. I am really grateful that Erin (Chief Sci) and Emily (Teacher at Sea) could arrange for me to join leg 2! I’ve been learning the visual surveying procedures and bonded with the MMOs and the birders so I’m overjoyed to be returning. Let’s just keep in mind that I’m not guaranteed to sail because anything can still happen.

Below are some group pictures with my team!

Gail and five colleagues seated at a table in a busy, well-lit restaurant — Introduced dim sum to a couple of folks! Left to right: Dawn Breese and Mike Force (Birders), me, Ernesto Vasquez, Allan Ligon and Paul Nagelkirk (MMOs). Photo credit: Paul Nagelkirk

a group selfie (by Jason, seen in close-up) at a volleyball court. Gail is wearing her Teacher at Sea t-shirt. — Volleyball! Jason Larese, Suzanne Yin, Paul Nagelkirk, Kym Yano, Erin Oleson, Me, Juan Carlos Salinas, Ernesto Vasquez

group photo of 8 people on a picnic bench. not far behind them is a beautiful view of a cove, a coastal city, and mountains. the sky is cloudy with patches of bright aquamarine sky. — Late lunch at He’eia State park. Back row: Ernesto Vasquez, Allan Lingon, Paul Nagelkirk, Me, Juan Carlos Salinas. Front row: Dawn Breese, Suzanne Yin, Andrea Bendlin. Photo credit: A postal worker on their lunch break.

a silly group photo at night, on the dock, with the ship darkly visible in the background. Gail is wearing a NASA t-shirt (hey!) and flower leis. Jason has jumped in front of everyone. — My last night at the ship. Back Row: Logan Gary, Darryl Henderson II, Paul Nagekirk, Dylan Hepburn, Andrea Bendlin, Ernesto Vasquez. Middle Row: Nich Sucher, Evan Schneider, Denzil Simons. Front: Me, Greg White. Photobomber: Jason Dlugos.

Food Log

a whiteboars reads: Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Spaghetti & Meat Sauce. Salmon. Garlic Bread. Broccoli. Salad bar. Mushroom ravioli. Brownies. Bone-apple-tea!! — Menu for Wednesday, July 12

plated meal: toast with tomatoes, eggs, tater tots, sausage, bacon. — Breakfast

plated meal: shrimp, rice, salad, broccoli, asparagus — Breakfast

The food on board continues to be too good. On weekdays while in port, we get breakfast and lunch. The menu is displayed on a whiteboard. As you can see in the image, there is usually a little spark of joy written on them that bring a smile to my face. (I think Medical Officer Jamie Delgado writes them!)

Ichthyoplankton researcher, Justin Suca, invited us to a Fish Fry to enjoy the fish he and his friend, sailor Ateeba, speared. It was my first fish fry and it was incredible! They caught Tako (Octopus), Nenue (Sea Chub), A’awa (Table Boss), Uhu (Parrotfish), and Kumu (Goatfish). They prepared the Tako as ceviche, Nenue as poke, A’awa as fish nuggets, and very interestingly, the Uhu and Kumu were prepared Chinese-style. Chinese-style fish is first steamed (in this case Justin “steamed” in foil on the grill), usually with ginger, garlic, and green part of scallions. After steaming, heat up oil, pour it on the fish, and delight in the sizzling sounds. Add some shoyu (soy sauce), and maybe some Shaoxing cooking wine, if you wish. The Kumu was my absolute favorite. It was so silky and smooth.

a line of harvested octopi an dfish on a black rock on the edge of a beach, the surf visible behind — Spearfished tako, nenue, uhu, kumu

a fish cooked whole on foil on a tray — Spearfished tako, nenue, uhu, kumu

Kailua Beach. Left to right: Justin Suca, Gabriella Mukai, Kelly Anne Kobayashi, Atiba, Don Kobayashi, Me. Photo Credit: Cody Kobayashi

Did You Know?

Since the toilet water is pumped from sea water, you can see the bioluminescent life if you turn off the lights while flushing! I found the best time to do it is early in the morning when no one has used the toilet in a while. MMO and roomie Andrea Bendlin shared this little special gem with me.

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023

Julie Hayes: Shipshape and Onward! May 4, 2023

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Julie Hayes

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

April 22-May 5, 2023

Mission: SEAMAP Reef Fish Survey

Geographic area of cruise: Gulf of Mexico

Date: May 4, 2023

Weather Data

Clouds: Scattered

Temperature: 74 degrees F

Wind: 4 kt.

Waves: 0 ft.

Science and Technology

Environmental DNA

NOAA fisheries research vessels often work with colleges to help provide experiences for the students by allowing them to come on the ship to collect data for their research. On this leg, Makaila Hernandez was aboard to collect environmental DNA (eDNA) under Dr. Alexis Janosik for the University of West Florida. Water samples are taken from different sampling sights in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental DNA tells scientists what organisms are in the area of water. DNA can be found in the water when organisms shed materials such as the skin, scales, feces, mucous, and gametes. Once the water is collected, a lab will extract the DNA from the water. The extraction is done in such a way that only the purest form of DNA is obtained. It will then be amplified so that it can go through the DNA sequencing process for organism identification. Collecting DNA for the purpose of knowing what organisms are present is done for several different reasons. It helps check the biodiversity and compare the health of the ecosystem to the previous years.

Makailyn stands at a workbench in the ship's lab. Wearing blue latex gloves, she slides two sample tubes into a plastic bag. On the bench nearby is a squirt bottle with a curved spout. It's labeled, but we can't read the writing. Other cardboard boxes and crates with sampling gear surround the work surface. — Makailyn working on eDNA samples

NOAA Ship Pisces

On this mission we have 28 people aboard Pisces. Without the engineers, technicians, deck crew, and the NOAA corps, the scientists wouldn’t be able to do their job. As most of you know, when things go wrong with a vessel out in the ocean, you have to rely on those within. The engineers work hard and I haven’t gotten to talk with them as much as I would have liked, but after all they have been busy down below keeping the ship going. While touring and visiting the bridge, the amount of technology there and knowledge from the officers on maneuvering the vessel is astonishing. I even had a slight go at it, and with the waves and current my travel line was a bit everywhere and not even close to being as straight as theirs. No worries, they were right by my side the whole time.

Drew Barth, Second Assistant Engineer

Drew, facing the camera for the photo, stands at a control panel in the engineering room. We can see screens, buttons of different colors, meters, levers. — Drew Barth, Second Assistant Engineer

Drew grew up in Montana and has been working for NOAA for around 18 years. Drew has worked his way up through the years, and the knowledge he knows about how to keep everything on this ship running is incredible. I had no idea there was so much down below us, and the amount of things that have to be checked and continuously working to keep this working vessel going. Drew tried to summarize all the things he did to me from operating all the equipment (including plumbing, HVAC, engine), maintaining all of the equipment, and every 2 hours all gauges have to be completely checked. At midnight a full report of how much fuel is being consumed as well as other things. Drew said some challenges he has had to deal with are bad weather, flooding, and having to fix multiple things at once. Drew states that working hands-on, growing up with a dad as a mechanic, and taking welding vocational classes really helped him, but training today can be done by attending a maritime school.

view of the bridge: two rows of computer screens facing one another; the captain's chair far toward the back of this view; windows surround three sides of the room — Bridge

Julie stands at the bridge controls, facing away from the camera, attempting to drive the ship. She looks off to her left side to attend to instructions. We can see the ocean out the window ahead of her.

NOAA Corps

LCDR John Kidd, Commanding Officer

LCDR VanDine sits at a table in the mess, turned to face the camera for a photo. — LCDR Ben VanDine, Executive Officer

LT DeProspero, on deck, pauses for a photo. He is wearing a navy blue NOAA Corps t-shirt. His right hand holds a travel mug, and his left is on his hip. — LT Nicolas DeProspero

ENS Aaron Macy, Junior Officer

Personal Log

Today is our last day at sea. Later this evening we will start working our way towards Pascagoula, MS. We are finishing up our last camera drops and preparing to disembark. I can already tell this morning by looking at the water that we are getting closer to Mississippi. The coloration of the water is more of a brown hue than blue due to the Mississippi River meeting the ocean. Several deck crew are making last minute plans as we prepare to port. I have met so many amazing people from all walks of Earth, and listening to their stories and how they ended up on Pisces is remarkable. There are a lot of hard-working and dedicated people who keep this ship running.

I can’t believe I have been on the ship now for two weeks. I have several more questions from my students back home that I can’t wait to answer when I get back. When I return there are only 10 days of school left, so it will be a whirlwind. I have been blessed to have experienced this, and I have learned so much that I hope to inspire my students to dream big and put themselves out there. I told them before I left how nervous I was and that blogging for the first time ever and doing the unknown was way out of my comfort zone. However, hopefully I have taught them that it is important to take chances and pursue things that they want to do even though they may seem scary. My hopes are to also talk about all the different career paths involved in keeping this mission going aboard NOAA Ship Pisces.

view over the bow of NOAA Ship Pisces from an upper deck. the water is calm and blue; the sky is blue with fluffy white clouds. — Front (Bow) of Pisces

view over the aft deck of NOAA Ship Pisces from an upper deck. We can see an A frame, davit arms, a large spool. the water is calm and blue, and the sky is blue with small white clouds. — View of the back of Pisces

Julie takes a selfie in front of an orange life preserver mounted on an outside wall. The life preserver is stamped NOAA Ship Pisces. Julie's t-shirt has a tiger on it, her school mascot, and the letters MMS for Macon Middle School. — Final Day at Sea!