Geographic Area of Cruise: Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Date: August 2, 2025
Weather Data from Bridge: Latitude: N41o30’0’’ Longitude: W67o17’0’’ Sea Wave height: 8 feet waves Wind speed: 13 kt Wind Direction: 40o SW Visibility: overcast Air Temperature: 20.oC Barometric Pressure: 30.22 inHg Sky: gray to clear
Photos: NOAA Ship Pisces in port in Newport, Rhode Island; NOAA Ship Pisces’ call sign; Teacher at Sea Dorothy Holley and NOAA Ship Pisces.
Science at Sea
When someone I care about tells me they don’t feel so good, the first thing I want to do is put the back of my hand to their forehead. Do you have a temperature? If so, your body is probably fighting off something. A thermometer can give a more quantitative answer. With more precise data, I can best treat the underlying cause.
Photos: Bongo nets on deck, awaiting deployment; Ed Williams and Alyssa Rauscher deploying the bongo nets; Pulling the nets back on board. Photos by LT Karina Urquhart
NOAA scientists help us take the temperature of our oceans by monitoring plankton – the base of the marine food web. I’m not talking about sticking tiny thermometers into copepods or krill, I’m talking about measuring plankton abundance and composition over time. NOAA collects plankton data four times each year – summer, fall, winter, and spring. With over four decades of plankton data, NOAA scientists are able to help fisheries make informed decisions to maximize production as well as protect vulnerable species.
Our team uses Bongo nets to collect plankton on this NOAA Summer Ecosystem Monitoring cruise. We will make over 100 (I think there are about 160 planned stations but we probably won’t have time to get to all of them) stops from Cape Hatteras to the Gulf of Maine, collecting samples that will later be sorted and catalogued. (For a more detailed description of Bongos, see Teacher at Sea Tonya Prentice’s blog here)
You do the math: If we are out at sea for two weeks, and deploy the Bongo nets at 100 different stops, how many times does each group need to collect plankton from the Bongo nets each day? Check in the next bog post for the answer.
Mess hall or Cafeteria?
Interesting Things: I am surprised by the ways I have been prepared for life on a NOAA ship by classroom life in a public school. The chairs all come with tennis balls on the bottom. In my classroom, we put tennis balls on the chairs so that they don’t make loud noises or create as many scuffs on the floor. Why do you think we have tennis balls on the chairs on a NOAA ship?
NOAA Ship Pisces home port is Pascagoula, MS
Amanda Jacobsen, Science FIeld Party Chief, NOAA Ship Pisces
Career Spotlight
Amanda Jacobsen is our Science Field Party Chief. She works in the NOAA Fisheries lab in Rhode Island, and sails on NOAA cruises like this one. She grew up in Connecticut and attended a small, liberal arts school, Connecticut College. While there, Amanda took a broad spectrum of science courses including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and even Environmental Law. Her degree in Environmental Studies helps her understand the many impacts on Marine Ecosystems.
Amanda is now a full-time NOAA scientist and a part time graduate student, studying to earn a Master’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her thesis examines the energy of plankton in the food chain. (Alert: we will do bomb calorimetry labs next year with Amanda’s data!) Better understanding the bottom layer of the energy pyramid is important to harvesting all of the tropic levels above it. If you like eating fish or even fish sticks, you will benefit from Amanda’s work because plankton provides food for nearly every creature in the ocean either directly or indirectly!
One tool that Amanda can’t live without is the Katy Clip (shout out to NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow survey technician Katy McGinnis!). The Katy Clip helps us wash down the Bongo nets when collecting plankton.
Amanda is currently reading the Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown. She also recommends The Ocean’s Menagerie by Drew Harvell. Amanda enjoys doing just about anything as long as it is outside. I am glad she is helping take the temperature of our oceans so that we might enjoy fishing for many years to come!
A part of our Science team: Dorothy, Amanda, and Miles
Personal Log
The ship is going 24/7, so the scientist are, too! Our team is divided into two groups – one that works 3 am – 3 pm and the other works 3 pm- 3 am. Amanda, Miles and I are in the second group. We get to see the sunset every day, but I probably won’t make it to breakfast!
Hello! My name is Dorothy Holley and I have been teaching Science in North Carolina for my whole career. While North Carolina does touch the Atlantic Ocean, I live in the capital city of Raleigh, about two and a half hours from the beach. And that’s just it…. my family, my students, my community….. we all think about going to the beach. But what is beyond the sand and the surf? The OCEAN!! Over 70% of the world is water!! That is a LOT of science lab space!!
For the next two weeks, I am going to be a NOAA Teacher at Sea. NOAA stands for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is one of the seven uniformed services of our government, whose roots stretch back to 1807 when President Thomas Jefferson established the Survey of the Coast to create nautical charts for safe navigation. Today NOAA is responsible for weather forecasting, severe weather prediction, climate monitoring and research, ocean and coastal management, deep-sea exploration, as well as data collection and dissemination. In other words, NOAA helps us live better by supporting the economy, protecting life and property, and promoting environmental stewardship.
Map of North Carolina. Raleigh is in the center. (Credit: World Atlas)
A couple of years ago, I worked in Washington, DC, to grow as an education leader. I wanted to understand how science education was being supported and how I could better prepare my students for life after high school. One of my first “field trips” was to NOAA offices in Maryland where I saw science being used to improve our quality of life.
NOAA headquarters
The picture below shows a Tide Predicting Machine that was designed by the U.S Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1895. Construction began in 1896 and was completed in 1910. The machine was used continually until 1965, when it was replaced by a computer.
Tide Predicting Machine, used until 1965
I also got to tour a NOAA “Hurricane Hunter.” These planes fly right into the eye of Hurricanes to gather important and real-time data.
Dorothy Holley in front of a Hurricane Hunter
Hurricane Hunter airplanes are modified for the mission!
The stickers on the bottom of the plane are like the stickers our football players put on their helmets each season to recognize special achievements on the field.
Real time data was collected from all of the Hurricanes listed here on the belly of the airplaneClose-up view of the stickers commemorating the storms this Hurricane Hunter surveyed
Last December, some of the other teachers at West Johnston High School and I participated in a teacher workshop on RESILIENCY. We visited a ghost forest and the second oldest federal marine laboratory in the nation. This NOAA facility in Beaufort, NC conducts scientific research to help us understand and preserve coastal environments, manage sustainable fisheries, and maintain coastal resilience.
Teachers at West Johnston High School in a ghost forest on the NC coast.
As a Teacher at Sea, I will sail on NOAA Ship Pisces to better understand and relate the jobs of the scientists and the science being used. The Teacher at Sea program was established in 1990 and has been in existence for 35 years. Teachers from all 50 states as well as four territories have logged over 20,000 days at sea, sharing thousands of blog posts, conducting more than 100,000 hours of ocean-based research, and relating countless stories of science application. To become a Teacher at Sea, I had to fill out a lengthy application (which included asking people to write letters of reference on my behalf), attend virtual training sessions, read and fill out quite a bit of paperwork, and speak with a seasoned team of NOAA specialists who are invested in helping teachers make connections for their students. Charts, maps, and calendars have been consulted, checked, and analyzed!
NOAA’s 200th Celebration Time Capsule and Geodetic Mark
One special opportunity for me as a Teacher at Sea will be to deploy a DRIFTER and for us to monitor and analyze the drifter data. The Global Drifter Program began in 1979 with over 1,000 drifters already deployed. We can make predictions about marine debris, animal larvae paths, and oil spills, and then track our drifter after it is deployed. This data will ultimately help us make more accurate weather forecasts and track storms and hurricanes.
I will share my NOAA Teacher at Sea journey here for you to read and to see. You are welcome to ask questions here on the blog and I will ask the team for help in answering them.
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea
Date: July 24, 2025
Conclusion Log
On my first day sailing aboard NOAA Ship Pisces, I stood on the treadmill with my head held high. “I got this,” I told myself while setting my usual running metrics.
The treadmill was bolted down on the lower deck. Tucked among the engine systems.
It smelled like metal and salt. The air felt like a humid Texas summer: warm and dense.
“You’ve been training these past few months,” I reminded myself. “This will just be another run.” A few seconds in, I stumbled. Hard. The treadmill hadn’t budged… but I sure did! I’d swerved off and landed (thankfully feet first) on the floor.
Fast forward to my final days at sea: I’d completed consecutive 5K runs on that same treadmill. Boy… it wasn’t easy. But neither were the science mission nor my time at sea, and that’s where the reflection begins.
Just completed a run.
Celebrated the achievement.
Stretched and cool off on the flying deck.
I’ve been thinking about how much my time at sea mirrored my time on the treadmill. Here are five takeaways from running at sea; and what they taught me about science and teaching.
Accept help. You’re also a learner.
Next to the treadmill was a fan. During my runs, engineer crew members would pass by on their rounds and turn it on. They checked in (made sure I was cooling off) and reminded me I wasn’t doing this alone.
When I began the Teacher at Sea program, I had no experience with NOAA fisheries research or oceanography. I’d never lived on a ship. Let alone been out in deep water.
Every part of the mission, from scientific terminology to ship protocol and living, was unfamiliar.
Although, I wasn’t expected to know it all, my science team was patient. Like any great teacher, they scaffolded the learning: they explained terms, modeled procedures, and gradually released responsibility until I could confidently take on the tasks myself. To be among top scientists in their field. To feel welcomed, supported, and taught… was humbling.
All crew members aboard Pisces didn’t just show me the ropes. They reminded me that learning never stops.
I was a student again and that was a powerful place to be.
Begin steadily, avoid burnout.
There were moments, especially early on, when I wanted to try and do everything, even after my 12-hour shifts. I went from 0-100 fast, thinking that was the way to show commitment. A few days in, I was hit hard by exhaustion.
The same lesson applied to my runs. I’d start too fast and burn out too early.
Eventually, I learned to pace myself, both on and off the treadmill. I set boundaries, made time for rest, and remembered that sustainability matters more than speed.
I learned that I could be more helpful, more present, and more productive when I prioritized well-being.
Stay flexible.Conditions will change.
Shout-out to Emily Susko (program coordinator) for helping making this experience possible before, during, and even after the sail. Her patience reminded me that plans shift, even with the best preparation.
As a teacher, I know this well: you can write the perfect lesson plan, but students and life will take it in different directions.
The same applies at sea. From unpredictable weather to equipment delays, we had to adapt constantly.
Not everything was in our control but our responses and mindsets were. Flexibility didn’t mean lowering expectations. It meant adjusting our mindset and staying ready for the unexpected.
Even on the treadmill. It was calm and cool on some days but rocky and shaky on others. Eventually, I adapted, adjusted my balance, and kept going.
Stay grounded in your “Why.”
Our mission was to survey larval bluefin tuna. Some stations yielded many while others, none. But each time mattered.
We weren’t focused on isolated results but were focused on contributing to the larger scientific picture.
There were lonely moments at sea. I missed land, my family, and friends. But I reminded myself why I was there: my students back home. This “why” connected my work at sea with my work in the classroom, and kept me grounded.
Whether I was preserving fish samples or logging data at 2 AM, I knew I was part of something bigger that would outlast the sail itself.
Remain curious and humble.
One of the most memorable moments came after a shift. It was a quiet night. The storm had calmed, winds had slowed down, and Pisces‘s lights had dimmed. I walked out to the back deck alone.
Nothing surrounded me but ocean. I looked up and saw the Milky Way. Lots of stars above while I was surrounded by nothing but the ocean. I paused, stunned by the beauty. My mind loaded with curiosity and with many questions.
That moment was a reminder that there’s so much I don’t know. So much to still wonder about. And that wonder is a gift I’ll bring back to my students.
I will come home with the renewed motivation to bring the ocean back to my school community, not just through facts, but through curiosity. I want students to look at the world, land, sea, or sky, and feel and then share that same awe.
I’m grateful to NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program for reminding me that learning is lifelong, and that the unknown is not something to fear… but to explore.
As educators, we wear many hats: teacher, learner, mentor, student. At sea, I was all of them. For that, I thank all crew members aboard who made this mission possible:
Of course… I can’t forget the science crew:
Chief Scientist Dave Richardson
Allison Black
Chrissy Hernández
Autumn Moya
Amanda Jacobsen
Kristen Walter
Elisabeth (Betsy) Broughton
Sarah Glancy
The science crew aboard NOAA Ship Pisces for the larval bluefin tuna mission.
Science crew: I’ll carry everything I’ve felt, seen, heard, and learned from y’all with me into every lesson I teach.
Until next time, everyone…
thank you for following my sea journey!
If you’re an educator interested in this opportunity, I highly encourage you to apply for the 2026 sail season.
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea
Date: July 23, 2025
Weather Data:
9:14 AM Eastern Time
A view of this morning. The water and breeze are calm. NOAA Ship Pisces is sailing at a speed of 10 knot (just about 12 mph).
The current temperature is 23°C (°73F).
The wind speed is 11 knots (13 mph). Source: Windy app.
We’re close to Newport, where Pisces will dock! She’ll dock at Naval Station Newport.
A view of Rhode Island.
Science Log
Uplift Education, Mighty Primary scholars: There’s been a lot of science work lately! Last time, I wrote about the four tasks for our science mission.
Let’s recall: Can you think, share, and then act out these tasks with your parents?
I’ve just finished another sunset shift (3 PM – 3 AM watch) so I’m feeling more tired than usual. But it’s been exciting sampling bluefin tuna larvae and seeing lots of planktons! Here are some updates on each task:
Computers for CTD data
Fun: Watching the computer screens as the CTD instrument goes deep into the ocean felt like playing a video game.
Challenge: Staying focused while recording (writing down) numbers carefully. There’s a lot of data! This task was the most challenging for me. It requires understanding CTD data well so all crews know how to control it.
*Note to self: Don’t forget to hit “save” and “backup” buttons!
Learned: Have a sticky note or notepad handy! Just like taking notes in class, I was always recording numbers on paper and double-checking the numbers. They can be easy to forget with so much going on.
It was awesome seeing how conductivity, temperature, and data really can tell us the best conditions to sample larval bluefin tuna.
Have your notes handy!This task requires paying close to how temperature, conductivity, and depth interact.
Data is fun. For me, the CTD is still a but confusing but I’m a lot more confident using it now. I’m still learning more about it, but it was a great time learning from everyone.
The CTD, live in action! Can you try reading and analyzing (studying) these numbers?
Washing Bongo nets
Fun: Spraying the nets with the water hose was like a mini water fight. This is my favorite task. Once emptied out from the nets, seeing all the planktons caught is super interesting.
Challenge: The nets are heavy when they’re full of seawater and plankton. Plankton are also so small, so I was constantly worried about spraying the nets down too hard. I didn’t want to hurt them, especially when trying to spray down the corners.
Learned: We wash the nets carefully to make sure we collect every tiny creature for research.
The “spray” function was the best because water wasn’t projected too strongly.
It’s important to wear protective gear. I had to learn how to put it on and off quickly before this task.
Bongo nets being retrieved. This is a view from the bridge, where NOAA Corps Officers are supporting with ship controls during net pick up and drop off.
Inside the bridge while during this task. Red light is used so that it doesn’t distract your eyes and focus from seeing other lights. It is dark and very quiet inside during night time. NOAA Corps officers explained to me what’s happening inside the bridge during this task.After they’ve been washed down into trays, it felt great looking at different types of planktons!
We had to make sure the deck was clean and clear before the next station, or stop, for deploying the bongo nets,
Let’s see what we discovered!
When you’re back to school, we’ll identify them all together!
Some plankton samples.They were so small!
Drifter Traps
Scientist Kristen with the drifter traps before their deployment. Do you remember them from one of the earlier posts? Photo credit: Sarah Glancy
A few days into starting our missions, we began deploying them into the waters at night and then recovering them in morning. Photo Credit: Amanda Jacobsen
Some collected samples. Photo credit: Amanda Jacobsen
Preserving samples
Fun: Using science tools made me feel like a real marine scientist.
Challenge: It’s tricky to label each sample correctly and handle them gently.
Learned: Preserving the samples keeps them safe so scientists can study them later under microscopes.
Plankton samples were stored in bottles filled with ethanol, to help preserve (protect) DNA and genetic properties.
We had to be careful to use the right solution when preparing bottles for storage. We don’t want them preserved in seawater!
Did you know: Storing planktons in ethanol (a special kind of alcohol) keeps them from rotting. Ethanol acts like a superhero freeze so scientists can study them later. Without it, samples would break down and we’d lose all their important properties. Photo credit: Amanda Jacobson
Identification (ID)
Fun: Looking at different sea creatures under the microscope is like exploring a new world.
Challenge: It takes patience and practice to tell tiny fish and plankton apart. Even years of practice and studying!
Learned: Looking into the microscope lenses, it helped to take off my glasses for better focus.
Observing planktons under a microscope requires close attention to details.
Dave was excited to have identified bluefin tuna larvae!
Because the ship can get rocky, both my feet and my hands had to be as still as they can be.
Scientists Kristen and Sarah are trying to stay still while observing samples. Imagine trying to take a picture while you’re rocking back and forth!
Once identified, we made sure samples are ok to be stored.
Samples of larval bluefin tuna were stored in these vials, or small sample bottles!
Here are some planktons I saw under the microscope… We will describe and then identify them once we’re back to school!
Activity: Microscope Sample Fun! We will look at real microscope pictures and become scientists! Students, if you’d like: draw, label, and describe what you see in each photo. Zoom into each photo if possible. Use adjectives to describe color, shape, and texture when talking about each sample. Don’t forget the small details! We will discuss these samples once back to school.
Bluefin fish larvae! Photo credit: Autumn MoyaMore bluefin fish larvae samples. Photo credit: Autumn Moya
Crew members aboard NOAA Ship Pisces.
It really does take a team to make the “science” work.
Even though crew members on NOAA Ship Pisces are in different teams, everything on the ship and throughout this mission requires collaboration, understanding, and patience.
Can you tell your parents a time when you had to work in a group with different classmates? What was it like? Did you get along with everyone? What happened when you didn’t? How did everyone work together to get the task done?
These four tasks wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of these crews: Steward, NOAA Corps, engineer, electronics, survey, and deck.
Personal Log
My days at sea are long, just like a school day might be for you. Once I finish my shifts at 3 AM, I’ve been going to straight to my stateroom for a shower and then bedtime. Because my roommate wakes up at 4 AM for his ship work, I must stay quiet, just like you would at home sharing a room with a brother or sister.
I’ve been waking up at 11 AM, just in time to get ready and then eat lunch. Until 3 PM, I have time to take care of my personal needs.
Staying active while sailing is important! There’s fitness equipment for exercising. Rooms are available throughout the day and night for crew members to use. Because they’re small spaces, we try to keep them clean, tidy, and to a small number of people.
Running on the treadmill feels like doing the wobble line dance! You have to remain balanced with the shop rocking back and forth.
Fishery work can get messy. I’ve been able to do laundry during free time every few days.
Pictured: Survey Technician Ian and Ensign Cheney,. There were times when I ran out of clean shirts to wear after a watch. But, no problem! There’s a store in the lounge area with shirts, sweaters, and hats that can be purchased. They have awesome NOAA Ship Pisces designs on them. Buying them supports crew members through awesome events and activities.
It’s also important to take care of our overall health, just like we do throughout the school day with brain breaks or with visits to the nurse. There’s a medical room I’ve been going to for medicine, including pills for seasickness or body pain. I’ve also been reminded of ways to keep both my body and mind healthy. These reminders are posted all over NOAA Ship Pisces because when you’re away from family and friends, it can feel difficult.
To learn more about crew members and what they do, there was time to tour different parts of NOAA Ship Pisces.
Autumn and I were taking photos outside when we decided to go into the bridge and learn more about its operations.
The bridge of a NOAA ship is like the ship’s control center. It’s where NOAA Corps Officers take turns on watch all day and night to make sure the ship is sailing safely. The bridge has been supporting our science mission by making sure NOAA Ship Pisces is in the right spot for sampling.You can see navigation, communication, and engine controls! This means that the ship’s location and route is always known for all crew members. They control the ship while we survey throughout all four tasks. With some of the NOAA Corps Officers who’ve been showing and explaining all operations of the Pisces. Pictured: Ensign Howsman and Lieutenant Urquhart.Lieutenant Musick has been a big support as well throughout this mission!
We also learned that the engines of a ship are equally as important.
This is Chief Engineer, Adam Butters. He’s the leader who takes care of all the machines on the ship. He and his crew make sure everything works properly, like the engine, power, and water. They help fix things when they break and keep the ship running smoothly so the crew can do their jobs safely! Chief Engineer Adam Butters giving us a tour and explanation of all the engine system we saw.
The engineer crew.
Below was a tour of important engines needed for the ship to sail safely. The machines were incredible! It was amazing to see how hard the engineering team works to make sure the mission was possible for us.
It got loud and hot in the engine room! We had to wear earplugs to protect our ears.
It was fascinating to learn so much about ship engines. These engines help the ship move through the ocean, just like your legs help you walk. They burn fuel to make power, turning giant propellers under the water to push the ship forward.
Next up was a tour of the Acoustic Room. Inside, scientists and technicians use sound waves (through special computers and instruments) to hear all sorts of sounds underwater. These sounds help them find the ocean floor, see how deep the water is, and spot sea animals.
In our mission, we collaborated with an awesome survey technician, Ian!
Ian makes sure our machines, especially CTD, works correctly and safely. He can help fix them if goes wrong.
With Ian, I also learned about special tools used to map the ocean floor. This is called hydrography. It’s like making a giant map of what’s under the sea! Here’s a tour the Acoustic Lab.
There’s even a disco ball there!
Of course, we can’t forget our electronics technician, Alex!
Without him, we wouldn’t have had internet on the ship. Alex helps fix and take care of all the ship’s important electronics, like computers, radios, and screens. Thanks to Alex, the science and the fun can keep going!
Now, it’s your turn to be scientists…
Uplift Education, Mighty K-12 students: My time on sea’s coming to an end. I’m returning soon to Texas, so this isn’t goodbye…
It’s a “SEA” you later!
However… I now pass this adventure to you:
Reflection questions for you:
What do you think would happen if we didn’t collect ocean data using tools like the CTD?
Why do you think it’s important to study larval bluefin tuna?
Even if scientists complete this mission, what do you think you could discover or protect when you become a scientist one day?
The amazing science crew! They look forward to seeing you at sea and working with you, future Mighty scientists!
As I’m about to sail back… I can’t help but wonder… could one of you be the next ocean explorer?
To family, friends, community, NOAA Ship Pisces crew members, readers, and supporters of NOAA’s work & cause: Once back in Texas, I look forward to sharing my experiences with you in an upcoming conclusion post. Please stay tuned!
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea
Date: 7/21/2025
Weather Data:
4:27 PM Eastern Time
Information source: Windy app
The current temperature is 26°C (°79F).
The wind speed is 270 knots (21mph). Source: Windy app.
Science Log
Mighty Primary scholars: Our mission has officially started! NOAA Ship Pisces sailed to an area of the ocean called Slope Sea. Slope Sea is what scientists use to describe a part of ocean here on the East Coast.
The Slope Sea is a region, or area, of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Photo credit: NOAA
We’ve been sailing to areas with the best conditions for larval bluefin tuna to spawn, where larval bluefin tuna are born. Each color represents water temperature. On the scale (right), from blue to red represents colder to hotter water temperature.
Chief Scientist Dave gave a presentation on the goals of our mission.Chief Scientist Dave gave a presentation on the goals of our mission.
Activity: Let’s explore Slope Sea on Google Earth!
Remember, our mission is to survey (catch and identify) larval bluefin fish. Since one of our science members focuses on surveying seabirds, there are 8 of us left for work. We are divided into two equal teams for the shifts, or watches.
Sunset Crew
This team works from the 3PM to 3AM watch. They get to see the sunset!
Chief Scientist Dave
Autumn
Betsy
Myself
Sunrise Crew
This team works from the 3AM to 3PM watch. They get to see the sunrise!
Sunrise crew is representing! Photo credit: Allison BlackThey’re extra excited for the mission. Photo credit: Allison Black
Kristen
Amanda
Sarah
Chrissy
Seabird Crew
Allison surveys seabirds on the flying bridge, the highest point of NOAA Ship Pisces! She then identifies them for research.
With Allison, watching for seabirds or marine animals!This tool is like binoculars. It magnifies, or zooms into, objects.It’s great for the view as well!
Mighty Primary scholars: Here’s a math connection. How many hours are there in one shift? If we combine both shifts, what is the total number of hours?
We’ve all been coordinating (working together) for these four tasks to be done:
Computer for CTD and Data
We look at CTD data. We use walkie-talkies to coordinate with deck crew and NOAA Corps Officers so that it is dropped into the sea. When it’s returned, we record data.
We then print out CTD information (remember conductivity, temperature, and depth) to label our bottles of samples.
Recording CTD dataRecording CTD dataRecording CTD data
We make sure all the data is saved and then backed up, or stored, so that other scientists can use them for more research.
Washing Bongo Nets
After catching planktons (tiny fish and other small creatures), we wash the nets carefully, so we don’t lose any samples.
Bongo nets return to deck.
Chrissy washed down plankton into a tray.
Preserving samples
We wash and store planktons in jars to keep them safe.
Dave carefully washed plankton down to be preserved and then observed.Amanda stored collected plankton into jars, which are then studied and then saved for later research.
These bottles are stored in ethanol, which helps preserve (protect) the DNA of planktons.
We print CTD information from the computer to label collected samples.
Identification (ID)
We look closely and carefully at planktons’ physical properties to identify them.
We use a microscope for this.
What is a microscope?
A microscope is a tool that allows small creatures or objects to be seen. Almost like looking through binoculars or a camera to zoom in.
Autumn was observing and identifying what kinds of planktons we saw on the microscope. They were identified as chaetognaths and another type of tuna! No bluefin tuna larvae yet. Photo credit: Autumn Moya
I had to pay close attention! I had to move the planktons around a lot using a tweezer (can you locate it in the picture?)
Pouring the samples into a tray helped us pick out certain plankton to observe. The light and the tweezer definitely helped!
Can you guess what we were looking at?
Sometimes, when a scientist is really good at one task, he or she would stick to it throughout the entire shift.
You’ve learned about NOAA Corps Officers who work in the bridge and support our science missions. We’ve also been working closely with the deck crew to make our surveying possible.
The deck crew helps the ship work safely. They make sure everything on deck working right. Photo credit: NOAA Ship Pisces
Nets on deckDeploying a drifterDeploying the CTD
On our shifts, they’ve been helping us put the CTD instrument and drifters into the water and then back on ship.
They do things like drive small boats to and from the ship.They tie the ship to the dock with ropes when it stops.
A video of deck crew members making sure ropes were tied to the dock.
Personal Log
Right now, I’m writing to you from the flying deck, or the very top part of the ship.
The flying deck is a wide, open area where scientists can get a great view of the ocean, sky, and marine life.
This is part of an anemometer that measures wind speed and direction.
Allison gets very excited when she sees fish or seabirds! If we’re not with her on the flying bridge, she sends photos and videos:
A brown booby bird flying around NOAA Ship Pisces. Video credit: Allison BlackPhoto Credit: Allison Black, NOAA Photo Credit: Allison Black, NOAA
We spent more time practicing safety drills. It’s important that all crew members know about safety equipment.
We went over how to evacuate our staterooms in case there’s a fire and lots of smoke. This included hands-on practice. We were blindfolded to make it feel real! Was scientist Allison able to evacuate safely?
Good healthy food is super important on a ship! We eat three meals a day in the mess (kitchen). There are continental foods, fruits, and drinks we can enjoy all day and night. Do you recognize some of the food here? What is something you’d like to eat aboard?
Right now, because of my shift, I sleep in so I miss breakfast. I make it up by having a big lunch instead. Throughout the afternoon and night, I snack on lots of vegetables and fruits.
The stewards in our mission cook and prepare all the delicious food for everyone. They make sure the scientists and crew stay strong and healthy by serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They work in the kitchen (remember: called the galley or mess).
Our Chief Steward Jean and Steward Mo.
Enjoying an ice cream social.
Crew members hang out in the galley, or kitchen.
Jean and Mo preparing our dinner, listening to awesome music.
Crew members lining up for lunch.
A riddle on screen while we wait in line. Can you solve it?
My colorful meal!
Can’t forget the hot sauce.
Did you know?
There are 15 different types, or species, of tuna that live in all the oceans of the world! Some are tiny… and some are giants (as you know)!
Here are just a few types of tuna!
Bluefin Tuna
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
The biggest! They can weigh over 1,000 pounds. Found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Yellowfin Tuna
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
Named for its bright yellow fins. Super fast swimmers. Popular in sushi!
Skipjack Tuna
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
Small but speedy. Most common in canned tun. Has stripes on its belly
Albacore Tuna
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
Known as “white tuna.” Has long fins. Also used in canned tuna
Bigeye Tuna
Photo credit: NOAA Fisheries
Got its name from its large eyes. Loves deep, cooler waters. Fished for sushi and sashimi
Now, if you’d like, try this activity: Compare and contrast two different types of tuna fish!
Pick two types of tuna. Name them on each circle. Write or draw the differences (outside) or similarities (overlap, inside). Resource credit: Sinh Nguyen
