NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow – Page 2 – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

September 13, 2024September 13, 2024

Sam Garson: Everybody’s Trawling for the Weekend, September 12, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sam Garson

Aboard Henry B. Bigelow

September 6 – 25, 2024

Mission: Leg 1 of Fall Bottom Trawl Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Mid-Atlantic Coast

Date: September 13, 2024

Weather Data from the Bridge:

Latitude: 36.93°N
Longitude: 76.3°W
Wind Speed: E 15 G 21 mph
Air Temperature: 22°C (71°F)

Science and Technology Log

NOAA’s Fall Bottom Trawl Survey began in 1963 and holds the distinction of being the longest-running standardized fishery-independent scientific trawl survey in the world. Its primary goal was to monitor the abundance and distribution of fish species in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, particularly on the continental shelf stretching from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, to the Gulf of Maine. However, over time, the survey’s role has evolved into something far greater.

With over 60 years of continuous data collection, this survey is not only an important resource for understanding fish population dynamics, but it also serves as a data source for marine research across the globe. The data gathered provides unparalleled insights into long-term trends in marine ecosystems, making it a cornerstone of NOAA’s fisheries management program. This consistency allows scientists to assess how various factors—such as fishing pressure, environmental changes, and oceanographic conditions—affect fish populations over time.

By maintaining strict protocols and procedures across the decades, NOAA ensures that the data collected remains comparable year after year. As a result, this long-running trawl survey is a powerful tool for detecting shifts in marine biodiversity, population fluctuations, and changes in habitat use among species. The findings from the survey inform not only U.S. fisheries policy but also global conservation efforts, positioning it as a keystone project for marine resource management. The enduring nature of the Fall Bottom Trawl Survey has provided a reference point for understanding the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, as rising ocean temperatures and shifting currents are increasingly influencing species distribution.

NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. Photo Credit: Sam Garson

a diagram of NOAA Ship Henry B Bigelow showing the plankton net, trawl net, and sonar capabilities. title: State of the Art Research Vessel Henry B. Bigelow. box labels identify the following features: (1) Navy designed "quiet" hull does not disturb marine life. (2) Advanced 3-D sonar gives researchers a bigger picture of fish and their marine habitat. (3) Plankton net gives an accurate survey of fish food supply. (4) Fish net can help gauge abundance of fish stocks. — Illustration credit: James Warren / Cape Cod Times, Information source: NOAA

How Does a Trawl Work?

Members of the Bottom Trawl team work in 12 hour shifts, Midnight to Noon and Noon to Midnight. When it is your turn on watch you will wait for the ship to reach the next “station” or sampling site. Once there the survey team will deploy a CTD and possibly a “Bongo” plankton tow.

two crewmembers wearing hard hats, life vests, and gloves stand on the deck of the ship near a large piece of scientific equipment. the conductivity, temperature, and depth probe, along with one water sample bottle, is mounted inside a cylindrical metal frame attached to a cable. — Crewmembers ready to deploy the CTD.

Once on station, the ship will deploy and stream the trawling net for between 16 and 20 minutes at a specified depth. Far from a simple task, this operation of the net streaming behind the ship is monitored closely with technology and data. The watch lead has to work closely with the bridge to ensure that the trawl net is running through the water properly. Monitoring the opening, speed and depth throughout the dive. Once all of that is confirmed to be in good working order you’ll hear the call over the PA, “HAUL BACK!”

photo of a computer screen showing a plot. on the x-axis is time. the y-axis shows depth and "TE Height," and there are three plot lines. — Trawl net monitoring. Photo Credit: Sam Garson

Haul Back

Once the “haul back” call is given the deck crew springs into action to bring the net back on deck, while the science team moves into position in the sorting room. This process starts in the ready room, where everyone keeps their foul weather gear and gloves.

view of a collection of orange rain coats, orange overalls, and large rubber boots spilling out of a closet-type area on one side of a room — Ready Room. Photo Credit: Sam Garson

Once in their foul weather gear, the team will move to their positions along the first of three main conveyor belts. One member of the team will move out to the checker box where all of the trawl contents are first placed. From there the checker will feed the marine life into the first conveyor belt that brings all the specimens up to the main conveyor belt. Here the marine specimens are all sorted into buckets and bins by species, size and sex. The watch leader will tell the team what they are going to “run” that trawl, meaning which species do they leave on the belt to be deposited into bins at the very end. Depending on the goals, catch diversity or needs the watch leader could run everything from squid or crabs to sea robins.

view inside the wet lab. there are rows of stations, each comprised of a metal table with a measuring board, a drainage sink, a work surface, a computer monitor. — Cutting Station. Photo Credit: Sam Garson

Now that everything is sorted into buckets and bins the real data collection begins! The watch is broken into teams of two. A recorder and cutter work together to process every single marine sample for a variety of data products. These trawls are incredibly productive and have lots of scientists from institutions around the country sending in requests for samples and data. This is where the computer screens are so critical. As buckets of samples move down the last conveyor belt, the cutter scans them into the system and then is prompted by the computer to walk through any number of data collection procedures. The recorder enters them all into the computer, bags the samples, and processes the documentation needed. On this cruise we have been freezing samples, collecting otoliths (unfamiliar? check out this great NOAA resource), collecting stomachs and measuring and weighing hundreds of different species across all of our trawls.

trawl nets spread out on deck - they are large, green, with orange buoys attached. one net is attached to the A-frame at the aft of the ship's deck. — Trawl net on deck

empty conveyor belt in the sorting room. one purple-gloved hand reaches in front the right side of the image and rests on the rim of the conveyor belt. — Trawl net on deck

Once that is complete we clean our stations and get ready for the next trawl. Sometimes this could be 30 minutes away, or even an hour, at times. It can be instantly after completing the last trawl. Working in 12 hour shifts, 24 hours a day means that the amount of data we are producing and cataloging is massive, but so is the job of sampling on the scale needed to help scientists answer questions about the ecology, populations, diversity and impacts of climate change along the Eastern Seaboard.

Personal Log

It’s been 10 years since I last sailed and I have been amazed at how quickly I’ve fallen back into the swing of life at sea. The night shift from 12:00 AM – 12:00 PM was a rough adjustment at first, but pretty quickly my body adapted and I settled into the routine.

It has been incredibly interesting to compare my previous time on an ROV based exploration vessel with the reality of a trawl based research mission. The E/V Nautilus was my home for 7 years and walking around the Bigelow definitely brings back some amazing memories, but it also has been a great reminder of how different things are across platforms. The ins and outs of life on Bigelow and the pace of the trawl are worlds different from the 24 hour ops of the ROV missions. I’ll write more on that later, but it has been a really cool comparison to make. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the cruise goes as we are only 3 days into our mission, and lots of cool fish still to come!

Did You Know?

Henry Bigelow was one of the key members of the scientific community who helped found Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, here is an amazing photo of Henry Bigelow with WHOI’s mascot!

a scanned black and white photograph. A man, dressed in a 3 piece suit and white hat, stands on the deck of a ship - the shoreline is visible at the horizon. he braces himself, his left foot positioned back, because a goat standing it on its hind legs is pushing against his chest with its forelegs. the man holds something with both hands, up toward the goat's face - maybe food. — Henry Bigelow and Buck the WHOI Mascot (1904). Photo Credit: NEFSC NOAA

September 5, 2024September 5, 2024

Sam Garson: Introduction, September 2, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sam Garson

Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

September 6–25, 2024

Mission: 2024 Fall Bottom Trawl Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: September 2, 2025

Weather Data from Friday Harbor, Washington

Latitude: 48.52°N
Longitude: 123.02637°W
Wind Speed: N 0 MPH
Air Temperature: 12°C (53°F)

Introduction

Hello, my name is Sam Garson and I am thrilled to be a part of this year’s cohort of Teachers at Sea! I teach science and CTE STEM courses at Friday Harbor High School (FHHS) on an island off the coast of Washington State named San Juan Island. I teach AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, Robotics, Electric Vehicle Principles, Project Management and 3D Design and Fabrication… rural science education is no joke, folks.

I have been involved with education for 20 years now in roles from a substitute teacher in Miami, Florida to an education programs coordinator with a program not so dissimilar from the NOAA TAS program. In my current role as a rural remote educator, I push students to think about the world in terms well beyond their trips to “America” (the mainland), and instead adopt a “Glocal” perspective of thinking globally and acting locally.

view over the railing from the deck of a commuter ferry. we see the ferry's trailing wake through calm, bright blue waters; along the horizon are forested islands. The sky is bright blue and clear, with only a few wispy clouds toward the left of the image. Hanging on the railing is an orange life preserver with the name of the ferry, Kaleetan. — Island Life when the only access is by boat or plane Photo Credit: Sam Garson

Teaching science is something that I am incredibly passionate about, and I have worked hard to help my students realize the amazing STEM pathways that exist in today’s world. Especially now in my rural community, I want my students to see STEM as the gateway to a world economy desperate for their creativity, ingenuity and problem-solving skills. I strive to bring the real world into my classroom and allow my students to try and solve the issues they see in the world around them and ask BIG questions of what could be.

an enormous high-altitude weather balloon - perhaps 50 ft tall - inflated and ready to deploy from what appears to be a large parking lot or airplane runway. a construction vehicle, perhaps an excavator, is parked nearby, boom folded. in the far distance we can see mountains along the horizon. — World-View high altitude Balloon carrying FHHS student sensor up! Photo Credit: NASA

This past year, students from FHHS found themselves designing a radiation sensor for a NASA and World View high altitude balloon mission while being named State Finalists for Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Challenge.

I am thrilled to be able to show students a piece of the world that many of them have probably never thought about, and share with them the excitement of real world research, data collection and all the amazing technology, teamwork and collaboration among a host of different STEM careers that go into making this sort of survey possible.

Science and Technology Log

In just a few days time, I’ll be lucky enough to be back at sea aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow sailing out of Newport, Rhode Island. The Bottom Trawl survey operates along the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf, sampling at stations from Cape Lookout, North Carolina to Canada’s Scotian Shelf (NOAA Fisheries). This survey is actually the longest running of its kind in the world! There are more than 60 years worth of data from these surveys. Given the dynamic nature of climate change and ocean acidification, this data is needed more than ever.

a simple map of the area around Georges Bank (northeast of Cape Cod) and the Gulf of Maine. All land is shown in a plain beige color. Throughout the water are dots, labeled with numbers, showing sample stations. There are at least one hundred dots. The resolution of the image makes it difficult to read the station numbers. — Northeast Fisheries Science Center 2024 Spring Bottom Trawl Survey stations on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

The amount of cooperating technology, science and engineering that goes into a mission like this is truly incredible. I’m excited to be in a position to share the people, science and data that we collect over the next three weeks.

Personal Log

This cruise is an exciting and slightly strange one for me to participate in due to a few interesting coincidences. The first one that struck me was that I am a graduate of Henry B. Bigelow Middle School in Newton, Massachusetts. A name that, unless I have forgotten, the significance of was never revealed to me as a student there.

Perhaps the most striking coincidence with this cruise is the return to Rhode Island. As a new teacher in Seattle, Washington 15 years ago, I was one of the inaugural members of the Ocean Exploration Trust’s Teacher at Sea program. I had participated in a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research program earlier that year and was alerted to this new opportunity by a colleague. What followed was 7 years of work with the Ocean Exploration Trust helping to take students and teachers out to sea on the E/V Nautilus.

That time in my career was incredibly transformative and the educational tools and values I developed there have been central to my pedagogy as a teacher in the 9 years since I left and returned to the classroom in Friday Harbor. I have tried to show my students how far and wide STEM can take you and all the different stories of people in those STEM fields.

Four men pose for a photo behind a desk in an office lined with trophies and framed photos. Two men on the right hold up an American flag, while Sam and the other man on the left hold up the Moroccan flag. — From working with educators in Meknes, Morocco as part of the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program…( Photo Credit: Hassan Elhilali)

Only Sam's legs are visible, sporting a wet suit and flippers, as he dives into the water in front of a pier. A building on the pier has a large sign that reads University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories. Beyond, there are cranes, other docks, small vessels anchored in the harbor, and a tree-lined shore. — …to clearing kelp while working with researchers on the Friday Harbor Laboratories Ocean Observatory. (Photo Credit: Kirk Sato)

I am thrilled to return to sea with a very different type of expedition. Exploration is a key aspect of our understanding of the world’s oceans, but this opportunity to be a part of a longitudinal study to help understand the ecosystems and fauna present on the Northeast Coast is one that I am thrilled to be embarking on.

Did You Know?

Despite being the home of the Southern Resident Orcas, Orcas Island in the San Juan Archipelago is actually named for Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas who sent an expedition to the islands in 1791!

August 23, 2024August 27, 2024

Tonya Prentice: NOAA’s CTD and Carousel, August 20, 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: August 20, 2024

Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 42.2212 º N
Longitude: 70.29659º W
Wind Speed: NW at 12 mph
Air Temperature: 19.8° Celsius (67.64° F)
Sea Temperature: 19.3 Celsius (66.74° F)

Science and Technology Log

Monitoring Ocean Parameters with NOAA’s CTD and Carousel Bottle Sampler

The CTD and Carousel Sampler are essential tools NOAA uses to monitor ocean conditions. “CTD” stands for Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth, the primary parameters this device measures. By running profiles of the water column from the surface to the bottom, the CTD helps us understand key ocean characteristics. The Carousel Sampler paired with the CTD allows collection of water samples at depth for laboratory analysis.

What Does the CTD Measure?

Conductivity: Helps determine the salinity of the water.
Temperature: Measures the thermal profile of the water column.
Depth: Tracks how deep the CTD is during data collection.

Together, these measurements give us a detailed profile of the water column, helping scientists monitor what we call “the Big Four” parameters.

Carousel: Collecting Water Samples

The CTD and Carousel is equipped with twelve Niskin bottles, which are used to collect discrete water samples from specific depths. The bottles are numbered 1-12, and are “fired” (closed) at different depths to capture water samples.

For example, bottle 1 might be fired near the bottom (a few meters above the seafloor), bottle 2 at 10 meters, bottle 3 at the determined chlorophyll maximum (C Max), and bottle 4 couple just below the surface. Multiple bottles are often fired at each depth to collect additional water. These samples provide critical data about the ocean’s chemical properties at various levels.

view of the carousel sampler resting on the deck of NOAA Ship Henry B Bigelow at night. A white cylindrical metal frame holds twelve gray cylindrical bottles in a round. The bottles have opened stoppers connected at the top and bottom. the CTD probe, at the center of the round, is not visible. Tonya has added yellow text boxes to label the following: carousel, Niskin bottles, top stopper, valves, bottom stopper. — CTD Carousel Bottle Sampler

Preparing the CTD Carousel Bottle Sampler

Before deployment, we ensure that all the stopper valves at the top and bottom of each Niskin bottle are closed. We also hook the wires at the top and bottom to prepare the bottles to open at the designated depths. Once the CTD is ready, it is carefully lowered into the water, beginning its descent through the water column.

Analyzing the Key Parameters

Once the water samples are retrieved, we focus on analyzing these key parameters:

Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC)
pH
Total Alkalinity (TA)
Nutrients
Chlorophyll

view of a large scientific instrument, a cylindrical metal frame containing a round of tall dark gray sample bottles, suspended over the rail of a ship. The sky and the water are both a dark blue, fading into one another at the horizon. — Lowering the CTD into the water.

photo of a computer monitor displaying a graph; the graph itself is not really readable — Lowering the CTD into the water.

Storing the Samples

After processing, the nutrient and chlorophyll samples are stored in a freezer kept at -80°C (-112°F) to preserve them for further analysis. Mercuric chloride is added to the DIC, pH, and TA samples to preserve them until they are measured in the laboratory. These samples provide invaluable insights into ocean health. The DIC, TA and pH samples help us monitor the effects effects of ocean acidification— which occurs when carbon dioxide dissolves into the ocean. The chlorophyll samples measure the amount of phytoplankton living in the water. Like plants on land, microscopic phytoplankton carry out photosynthesis, produce oxygen, and are at the base of the marine food web.

Understanding these parameters allows us to monitor the ocean’s health and better predict how it may change in the future. For more information on ocean acidification, check out this resource: NOAA Ocean Acidification.

By closely monitoring DIC, TA and pH we can track important changes in our oceans, providing critical data for research and conservation efforts.

Personal Log

Life on a 12-Hour Work Shift at Sea

Working a 12-hour shift at sea might sound intense, but there’s often some downtime between stations and even a few hours after the work is done. The time you get can vary depending on how far apart each station is. Sometimes it’s just enough to process samples before heading to the next station, while other times you have several hours to relax and recharge.

So, how do you spend that free time on a ship? There’s no shortage of options. You could enjoy a movie in the lounge area, dive into a good book, play a board or card game with other crew members, or head to the flying deck to spot seabirds and marine life, or simply take in the stunning ocean views. Another interesting way to pass the time is visiting the bridge, where you can see how the ship is navigated, maneuvered, and commanded.

Let’s not forget “Activities and Crafts with Katy,” which can bring a whole new adventure to your day. Today, this included visiting the lab and looking at the different species of marine organisms that have been collected, such as stingray barbs, dogfish, and scallop shells. Katy then showed us how to make our own Acadian Redfish otolith (ear bone) earrings. “Scientists use the ear stones (bones) as a way to age the fish. Also called otoliths, they are bones found right behind the skulls of bony fishes.” (Smithsonian)

The balance of work and downtime can make those long shifts much more manageable and even enjoyable, offering moments to connect with colleagues and the environment around you in a way that few people get to experience.

view of two rows of large brown comfy-looking recliners facing a tv screen mounted on the wall above cabinets. there is a bookcase off to one side. — The Lounge area.

the flying deck - the uppermost deck on the ship - is bisected by the ship's yellow mast. a tall metal frame appears to be shade structure but may serve additional purposes. There are picnic benches and beach lounge chairs. — The Lounge area.

Did You Know?

“One atmosphere is equal to the weight of the earth’s atmosphere at sea level, about 14.6 pounds per square inch” (NOAA Water Pressures at Ocean Depths). Beneath the ocean’s surface, water pressure increases by approximately one atmosphere for every 10 meters of depth.

To illustrate just how intense this pressure can be, we conducted a simple yet fascinating experiment. We decorated 16 ounce styrofoam cups with artwork, then placed them in a mesh bag attached to the CTD Carousel Sampler. The CTD , along with the cups, was submerged to a depth of about 500 meters (1640.42 feet), where the pressure equals roughly 725 pounds per square inch (psi). We repeated this process by submerging the cups to 200 meters (656.17 feet), which equals about 291.18 psi.

As the cups descended into the depths, the increasing water pressure caused them to shrink dramatically because the air inside the cups was compressed. This simple experiment vividly demonstrates how powerful the forces at play beneath the ocean’s surface can be.

three styrofoam cups in a row on a table or desk surface. the leftmost cup is the standard size, undecorated. The middle cup is 30-40% smaller. It's colored with marker to be a flower scene, with "2024" written around the top rim. The rightmost cup is the smallest, probably less than half the size of the original. It says Go Wildcats, August 2024, Henry B Bigelow. — This is a normal size ounce styrofoam cup (left side). Here is the cup after it was submerged 200 m below the ocean surface (middle). The last cup was submerged 500 m and then again at 200 m (right side).

August 16, 2024August 19, 2024

Tonya Prentice: Time for Bongos, August 15, 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: August 15, 2024

Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 42.26980º N
Longitude: 66.08756º W
Wind Speed: 11 mph due N
Air Temperature: 15.4° Celsius (59.7° F)
Sea Temperature: 18.2 Celsius (64.8° F)

Science and Technology Log

Behind the Scenes: Collecting Plankton Samples on Our Mission
During this mission, we will be collecting plankton samples from over 120 stations in the Gulf of Maine and further south along the East Coast (see the figure below; Summer ECOMON Track Lines).

a political map of the waters of the northeastern shelf, focused on Newport, RI, extending as far north as Southern Maine and as far south as eastern New Jersey. a bright green icon approximately the shape of a vessel sits on Newport, surrounded by radial lines marking every 30 degrees. large blue dots throughout the coastal waters mark sampling stations. They are connected by straight black line segments showing the track of the survey. there are also some smaller black dots connected by bright green line segments. extra labels mark Georges Bank (east of Cape Cod), Maine, and Mount Desert Island. — Summer EcoMon Track Lines

But why focus on plankton? Plankton are the foundation of all oceanic food webs, crucial for the survival of larger fish, marine mammals, and birds. Any changes in plankton biomass can have ripple effects throughout the entire ocean ecosystem, impacting a wide range of species.

By studying plankton, we gain insights into the health of our oceans. The data collected from these samples will be invaluable in estimating the populations of certain fish species and identifying key spawning areas. Moreover, we can observe how fish populations are shifting or altering their habitats in response to environmental changes and other stressors. (NOAA Fisheries)

Collecting plankton samples during this mission is a collaborative effort, requiring the expertise of the NOAA Corp, engineers, deckhands, survey technicians, and scientists. Together, we work to deploy, retrieve, and prepare the plankton samples for research.

We use two types of Bongo nets for sampling: Baby Bongos, set in a 20 cm frame, and Big Bongos, set in a 60 cm frame. Each net has a specific purpose: one is labeled “I” for Ichthyoplankton and the other “Z” for Zooplankton. These nets, made from 333 µm mesh, are equipped with flow meters to measure the volume of water filtered during each tow.

Once the Bongo nets are lowered into the water, the Conductivity, Temperature, Depth (CTD) sensors immediately start gathering conductivity, temperature, and depth data. The nets are then lowered to about 10 meters above the sea floor and gradually pulled back to the surface. Care is taken to ensure the nets don’t touch the ocean floor, avoiding the need for a recast. Today, for instance, we collected samples from around 230 meters deep!

When the Bongo nets are retrieved, we promptly rinse down the nets to flush the plankton into the codends at the bottom of the nets. The nets are then untied, and the plankton are flushed into a sieve pan.

Next, we carefully rinse the plankton from the sieve into a glass jar, preserving the sample by adding 5% Formalin. The jar is then topped off with seawater, labeled with the station/event, and inverted several times to ensure the sample is well-mixed. On average, we collect about 32 jars of plankton per day.

Finally, the plankton are ready to be shipped off to a lab to be sorted and counted.

Steps for collecting plankton:

View from a side deck of NOAA Ship Bigelow as chain lowers nets into the water; the openings of the nets are two large round circles, and the fine mesh plankton nets extend down in cones from each ring. Two crewmembers wearing hard hats and life vests stand at the rail to guide the nets down. It is sunset, and the sun is almost at the horizon, creating a band of bright orange between the dark blue water and sky. — 1. Lowering the Bongo Nets into the water.

top down view of two pairs of bongo nets rising out of the ocean. The smaller pair are attached to the cable above the larger pair. Their fine-mesh nets extend in cones beneath circular openings. The sky and the water are gray. — 1. Lowering the Bongo Nets into the water.

Personal Log

Life Aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow: A 24/7 Operation

The NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow never sleeps, which means someone is always awake and hard at work. This is no cruise ship—everyone aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow has a vital role to play. Most crew members work 12-hour shifts, ensuring the ship’s operations continue smoothly around the clock. In addition, all the department crew are responsible for safety drills, and are trained in firefighting and lifesaving equipment.

As part of the science crew, I work from 3 am to 3 pm, while my roommate takes over from 3 pm to 3 am. Our team of scientists are constantly collecting and uploading data to support our mission. Engineers, deckhands, and survey technicians work shifts from 12 am to 12 pm or 12 pm to 12 am.

Engineers keeping everything running efficiently and addressing any technical issues that may arise. They are responsible for the safe and proper operation of a ship’s machinery and equipment and other mechanical and electronic equipment onboard.

Survey technicians assist in the operations, monitoring, handling, and maintenance of various scientific gear. This includes annotating records and recording data; assist in the staging and set-up during preparations for, and at the completion of oceanographic or fishery research. They also perform oceanographic or fisheries observations, measurements, and calculations, assisting in the preparations, installation, deployment and recovery of oceanographic or fishery research equipment. (NOAA Survey Department)

The Deck Department operates the cranes and winches to deploy scientific equipment, and maintain the material condition of the ship. Electronics Technicians maintain the ship’s computer network and vital emergency communication and navigation equipment.

The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) operate and navigate the ship, and monitor oceanographic and atmospheric conditions, ensuring our safety and guiding us through each phase of the mission.

And let’s not forget some of my favorite crew members—the stewards, who keep us well-fed with amazing meals and plenty of delicious snacks.

Given the non-stop nature of our work, it’s important to remember that someone is always sleeping. This means being mindful of your noise level: avoid slamming doors, walk quietly down the halls, and always use your “inside voice” when moving about the ship. When living and working in such close quarters, professionalism, civility, and respect are essential to maintaining a happy and welcoming work environment.

a bulletin board labeled Meet the Crew! Tacked to the board with colored push pins are printed photos of 26 people, grouped by department: NOAA Corps (8 people), Engineering Department (7 people), Electronic Tech Department (2), Survey Department (3), Deck Department (4), Steward Department (2)

Did You Know?
There are currently 42 species of dolphins and seven species of porpoises. (Whale and Dolphin Conservation). Check out these videos captured this week of both Bottlenose and Common Dolphins riding alongside the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow! Can you spot the difference between Bottlenose and Common Dolphins?

Bottlenose Dolphins

Common Dolphins

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.