plankton – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Amber LaMonte: Don’t Doubt The Drifters: Plankton Are In Charge, June 6, 2026

Calm turquoise ocean water under a clear blue sky. — *Caribbean blue water in Southern New England waters*

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

May 31 – June 10, 2026

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Southern New England

Date: June 5, 2026

Data from the Bridge

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 8:26 PM

Latitude: 39° 02.684’ N

Longitude: 072° 43.098’ W

Doppler Wind Speed: 1.97 knots (kt)

True Wind Speed: 2.31 knots (kt)

Wave Height: 1’

Air Temperature: 15°C/59°F

Wet Bulb Temperature: 12.4°C/54.3°F

Bottom Depth: 204 m

Sky: Clear

Alright, it’s time for global drifter buoy #2, a.k.a. THE BUOYS, I am ready for you, class of 2027! This one is for the juniors rising up like the sun on the horizon at first light. We have made our way further north and back into Southern New England waters. This drifter was deployed at 39° 02.684’ N, 072° 43.098’ W

Amber and Nick stand facing each other at the railing at twilight. they each hold one side of the folded drogue of the drifting buoy, with the round buoy portion resting on top.

close-up of the side of a white buoy; black hand-drawn letters read "YHS c/o 2027" — **Shout Out Class of 2027**

close-up view of the buoy portion of a drifting buoy; it looks like white and blue fiberglass ball. on the top white portion we see stickers that read "York Falcons" and hand drawn words in all caps: THE BUOYS

The Buoys Going Overboard, Mrs. LaMonte with Nick Vang (Survey Tech)

Science and Technology Log

Research

top half of a humpback whale extends vertically up from a blue ocean surface

a mostly white seabird flying over a choppy ocean surface

a brown bird flying against a blue sky, with just wisps of clouds

view of a dolphin returning to the water after a leap; the water is choppy from the ship's wake

a simplified Google earth map of the water south of Long Island. in the ocean is a blue circle containing a little symbol of a shark, and an orange dot at the top right rim.

1- Humpback whale lunge feeding 2- Great Shearwater (Photo courtesy of Chief Scientist Audy Peoples) 3- South Polar Skua (Photo courtesy of Chief Scientist Audy Peoples) 4 – Common dolphin playing in the ship’s wake 5 – A tagged Great White shark I’ve been following near our ship https://www.ocearch.org/tracker/

Animal monitoring is an exciting part of life aboard our research vessel. It doesn’t take much to spark enthusiasm; an alert comes over the radio (not the loudspeaker because we don’t want to wake the sleeping crew!) about animals sighted near the boat, and the crew pops up to the deck (no, it’s not just Mrs. LaMonte), eager for a glimpse of these charismatic marine visitors. Nick Metheny is the dedicated observer for the Pisces on this cruise survey. He is observing and documenting from sunrise to sunset; that’s some dedication! Meanwhile, NOAA Corps officers on the bridge keep a steady, watchful eye to ensure we safely share these waters with much larger neighbors, including whales.

Person surveying the ocean using a large pair of binoculars mounted on a pedestal, wearing a bright yellow jacket and a hat under a canopy. — *Nick Metheny is the protected species observer on this cruise*

humpback whale was feeding right next to our ship during a station stop!

Beyond these spontaneous moments of excitement, Seabird and Marine Mammal Observers play a critical, structured role within our science team. From their perch on the Flying Bridge, they scan the horizon, tracking everything. Each sighting, species, group size, behavior and any photograph is carefully recorded and cataloged.

These data feed into long-term monitoring efforts, including AMAPPS (the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species). Through this work, NOAA scientists are building a clearer picture of how whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds move through and rely on these waters. It’s rewarding to know that those thrilling, real-time sightings of these incredible animals are also contributing to critical research, helping us better understand and protect the vibrant marine life that makes every watch on deck feel a little bit magical.

Satellite image depicting the northeastern United States and parts of the Atlantic Ocean, showcasing landforms, vegetation, and varying shades of blue in the water, with clouds present. — NASA PACE – Identifying Blooms Off The North Atlantic https://pace.oceansciences.org/data_images_more.htm?id=561

A person standing in a workspace with metal cabinets and various equipment, including a computer and hoses, with a blue shirt draped over a cart. — Artem Dzhulai a Ph.D. candidate in biological oceanography at URI

You are likely familiar with the satellites of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), although high-tech, the satellites must be carefully validated. During the NOAA EcoMon cruise, we’re helping to ground-truth NASA’s PACE satellite, which monitors phytoplankton. Artem Dzhulai and Rowan Cirivello are Ph.D. candidates in biological oceanography who study how light interacts with the ocean. When the NASA satellite passes over our ship at noon, they deploy a radiometer to measure how light decreases through the water column.

A person wearing glasses and a dark hoodie is operating laboratory equipment, with computer screens displaying data in the background. Various tubes and containers are visible in the workspace. — Rowan Cirivello a Ph.D. candidate in biological oceanography at URI

They also collect water samples, either from CTD Rosette casts or the ship’s continuous water line system (more about that in the next blog). In the lab, the samples are filtered to separate particulate matter (such as plankton) and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). This is done repeatedly for validation or “triplicates for particulates,” as Rowan puts it. These are analyzed with a spectrophotometer to determine how light and color vary in the water, with some samples sent directly to NASA.

A row of clear graduated cylinders secured in place, each covered with a transparent plastic bag and foil on top, arranged on a laboratory countertop. — Filter columns for particulates

Advances in technology now allow us to deploy sophisticated instruments that can continuously track individual organisms in the ocean. Two Imaging FlowCytoBots (IFCB) are being used to confirm accuracy. Inside the cylinder tanks, images of individual plankton are taken with thresholds set based on backscattering & fluorescence; for example, lower the threshold for pelagic water with fewer organisms and increase it for neritic (coastal) water with a higher abundance of organisms.

view of a laptop displaying an image of plankton as seen through a microscope.

Microscopic image displaying various microorganisms, including a copepod and numerous cellular structures, arranged in a grid format. — **Images being captured in real time**

Two black oceanographic instruments with labels, one featuring a 'Danger: Laser Radiation' warning, sitting on a workstation with various lab equipment in the background. — ***Pair of flow cytobots***

Look at how cool it is to see the phytoplankton in real-time!

With these tools, we are not just observing ecosystems, we are witnessing them unfold in real time, opening the door to deeper insight, discovery and innovation in marine science. Ultimately, this work improves our understanding of ocean health and could help fisheries identify productive ecosystems by tracking phytoplankton, the foundation of the marine food web.

Scientific Concepts

Below are some terms you may have learned in a science class before, but are key to understanding why the measurements are being collected as data for the EcoMon survey samples. These parameters, along with nutrients and oxygen, determine the types and abundance of plankton.

Close-up view of small aquatic organisms and debris scattered on a light surface. — *Calanus – genus of copepod, from 20 m bongo* – Right whales love these! The darker green sections are oil sacs that provide the lipids.

Plankton – Don’t doubt the drifters, plankton run the world. Despite their name, rooted in the Greek planktos, meaning “wanderer” because they cannot swim against the current, these tiny powerhouses are anything but passive. They are dynamic, influential forces that quietly orchestrate life on a global scale. From fueling marine food webs to regulating the carbon cycle and even shaping weather patterns, plankton prove that impact isn’t about size, it’s about significance.

Close-up of small, transparent shrimp-like organisms swimming in a glass of water. — *Euphausia – genus of krill, from 60 m bongo, I waited a week to find some large ones! These are 6 cm*

Temperature, salinity and density vary with depth – below is a general graph of how scientists might expect parameters to change with depth. In addition to this general trend, scientists will layer in information about a specific location to account for variables such as bathymetry (underwater topography) and latitude. By understanding these general trends, they can determine when changes occur and how they may impact plankton.

Graph displaying thermocline, halocline, and pycnocline profiles with increasing depth, temperature, salinity, and density in ocean water. — https://hurricanescience.org/science/basic/water/index.html

A group of four students in a classroom, all wearing safety goggles and smiling excitedly. One student is holding a beaker with bubbling liquid, while others react with surprise and joy. The classroom is bright and equipped for science experiments. — Students completing a salinity lab, the “old-fashioned” evaporation way to obtain the mass of the salt (photo courtesy of York High School)

Conductivity (salinity) – Pure water conducts electricity very poorly. However, when salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolve, they dissociate into free-moving, charged ions that readily conduct an electric current. As a result, increasing salinity corresponds to higher electrical conductivity. A CTD instrument captures this relationship using a conductivity sensor, which measures how effectively the water transmits an electrical current, a direct reflection of its dissolved salt and ion content.

Fluorescence – Oceanographers rely on chlorophyll (a) fluorescence as a primary biological proxy to estimate phytoplankton concentration and biomass. Phytoplankton cells absorb blue light and re-emit the absorbed energy as red fluorescence (at around 685 nm), which can be efficiently measured and graphed.

Methodology

The Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) is an instrument with several physical and chemical sensors: pH, temperature, salinity, oxygen, depth, and fluorescence that collects data at every station from which we collected fisheries data. On the ship, there are two CTDs: one is attached between the bongos and one is attached at the bottom of the Rosette (a circular instrument with bottles for collecting water samples). Depending on the station’s criteria, both are sometimes deployed.

A scientific water sampling device on a research vessel deck at sunset, with calm ocean waters in the background. — Rosette with CTD beneath

A scientific oceanographic device with two clear sample containers suspended from a rigging, against a backdrop of a colorful sunset over the water. — Rosette with CTD beneath

For this instrument, the ship must be diligent in following protocol; one important job for the Able Body Deck Crew is getting the instrument into the water and maintaining the guidelines for the cable lines’ angle and depth. The NOAA Corps officers radio from the bridge, “10 minutes until bongo” (I have heard this 100’s of times) and the crew begins operations.

Two workers on a boat deck wearing hard hats and life vests, holding equipment with nets overboard against a backdrop of the ocean. — AB Fisherman Abe Sims & Junior Cornell (Chief Boatswain)

Deployment

Lift CTD into water.
Hold at Surface, to allow the CTD to stabilize, the crew receives instructions from the watch scientist for the depths.
Send CTD down to just above the sea floor.
The lab says “fire” to open the bottles.
Lab completes data collection before bringing it to the surface.

A woman in a blue jumpsuit and orange life vest is working with monitoring equipment on a ship, focused on a cylinder setup. — Collecting water samples from the cyclinders

In addition to deployment, there are two tasks for this instrument to be completed by the science team: monitoring its deployment in the lab as some data is transmitted instantly and retrieving the water samples that will be processed for additional lab data.

Open valves for the cylinder
Rinse sample bottle 3x
Filter water into the sample bottle for chlorophyll
Collect water in glassware for nutrient testing

This data is used alongside catch data collected from the bongos, allowing scientists to make connections between water quality and fish caught. While the relationship is complex, water quality and marine life abundance are directly related. Water quality and the survivability of marine species contribute to our economic, cultural and public health. This data can help identify potential threats and inform management plans for both water quality and targeted species.

Careers

For this post, I’ll highlight the possible certifications you would need to receive to be hired for these positions.

A worker in a bright yellow jacket and helmet operates equipment on a boat, handling two cylindrical containers near the water. — *Boatswain AB-F Todd Fatkin*

Boatswain – If you want to sail our oceans, getting to travel while you work and receive room & board. A typical pathway to becoming a boatswain with NOAA begins by entering the Professional Mariner workforce and building foundational maritime experience. Candidates are required to secure a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC). NOAA’s online job portal.

Three individuals on a boat deck scanning the ocean with binoculars, with a laptop and equipment visible in the foreground. — Assisting our dedicated observer

Protected Species Observer – If you love marine organisms! To serve as a steward of marine ecosystems, monitoring whales, dolphins, sea turtles and other protected species during NOAA operations. Provides real-time guidance to ship crews, to minimize environmental impact. You can travel the world, receive room & board then check out NOAA’s requirements.

Scenic view of a calm sea at sunset, with soft waves reflecting warm hues in the sky. — First Light Over Atlantic Ocean

Personal Log

A bulletin board featuring photos of eight scientists with their names, including Audy Peoples, Katey Marancik, Nick Metheny, Ava Cleplinski, Olivia Robson, Rowan Cirivello, Artem Dzhulai, and Amber LaMonte. The background includes a map labeled 'HAVANA' and nautical charts. — **The science team on the bulletin board**

A laptop displaying a document is set on a desk with various sticky notes scattered around. The background shows a window with an ocean view. — **My office view**

The NOAA Ship Pisces has been so welcoming to me as I have become fully immersed in the ship’s daily routine. There is a bulletin board with pictures of the people currently onboard, you can see I am part of the science team, most of whom I have written about or will write about. They even posted a QR to my blog and some of the crew have read along and learned the details of some of the science being conducted onboard. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the FIRST LIGHT of the day! Just breathtaking. I feel like I am working and on vacation at the same time. For work, I bounce back and forth between washing bongo nets, writing the blog, posting student challenges on Instagram and watching for wildlife. Getting to see so many marine organisms, having delicious choices for breakfast/lunch (also good choices for dinner, but 3 am-3 pm shift, I am already in bed) ready for me and getting to do laundry while I work definitely feels like vacay mode.

A plate featuring shrimp, seasoned rice, and yellow squash along with a slice of red velvet cake and a water bottle with the label 'Science Not Silence.' — **Yummy dinner (stayed up past my bedtime)**

A person holding a plastic bag filled with clean laundry in a laundry room, with a dryer and detergent products visible in the background. — **Yummy dinner (stayed up past my bedtime)**

Did You Know?

That beautiful Caribbean blue water could be seen from the NASA satellites and it was caused by microscopic phytoplankton. Plankton, specifically phytoplankton, really are in charge! I actually pranked several students into thinking the ship was down in the islands.

Coccolithophore bloom

Satellite imagery of the northeastern United States, showing coastal waters, landmass, and cloud coverage. The display includes layers for sea surface temperature and chlorophyll levels, along with navigation tools and time settings. — *Coccolithophore bloom seen from satellite (screenshot of NASA Worldview)*

Coccolithophores span a broad range of surface environments, from nutrient-rich (eutrophic) waters in temperate and subpolar regions to persistently nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) subtropical gyres. They contribute about 1–10% of primary production and phytoplankton biomass, with their share rising to ~40% during bloom conditions.

Coccolithophores are among the most significant pelagic calcifiers, producing large quantities of calcium carbonate. The shedding drives a sustained flux of carbonate to the deep ocean, supporting vertical gradients in seawater alkalinity and playing a key role in the carbonate pump. In addition, coccoliths enhance the sinking rate of organic matter and improve the efficiency of carbon export to depth. Over long timescales, this has contributed to the formation of a carbon sink; feedbacks between seafloor carbonate accumulation and the carbon cycle help stabilize Earth’s climate.

A series of scanning electron microscope images showcasing various microscopic structures, labeled A to N, including diverse shapes and patterns of microorganisms, with some displayed in different orientations and angles. — *Diversity of coccolithophores under an electron scanning microscope https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1501822*

THANKS PHYTOPLANKTON!

June 3, 2026June 3, 2026

Amber LaMonte: Learning to Play the Bongos, June 2, 2026

two pairs of conical nets are suspended above the water at sunrise; the sun illuminates the nets as orange above the darker blue calm waters — Bongo set-up consisting of big and baby bongo sizes being deployed at sunrise

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

May 31 – June 10, 2026

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Southern New England
Date: June 2, 2026

Data from the Bridge
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 9:23 AM
Latitude: 40° 18.872’ N
Longitude: 070° 30.000’ W
Doppler Wind Speed: 9.97 knots (kt)
True Wind Speed: 1.56 knots (kt)
Wave Height: 4’
Air Temperature: 11.11°C/52°F
Wet Bulb Temperature: 8.3°C/46.9°F
Bottom Depth: 98 m
Sky: Clear

view up through the mast and rigging at a column of nautical flags strung vertically down a line

screenshot from Marine Traffic website showing all of the ship traffic southeast of Massachussetts; Pisces is selected, and a sidebar off to the right displays basic info

NOAA Ship Pisces’ call sign
https://www.noaa.gov/organization/administration/nao-201-6-official-flags-of-noaa https://www.marinetraffic.com/

As we set sail, the NOAA Ship Pisces displays its unique combination of signal flags as the call sign. Remember, you can follow along in real time on the Marine Traffic site.

Science and Technology Log

Research

The data collected from the Ecosystem Monitoring (EcoMon) survey is used by numerous research facilities, as well as the scientists at NOAA. Since NOAA is a federal agency, the data they collect is publicly available. Additionally, many research facilities, such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI), University of Rhode Island (URI) and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, work collaboratively and will utilize ship time on the vessel when space is available. On this expedition, URI is on board, utilizing the chem lab to run an Imaging Flow Cytobot (IFCB).

The focus for the NOAA science team is on collecting and processing samples to monitor the ecosystem health of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and ground truth to the imaging provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The data includes plankton samples (both zooplankton and phytoplankton), inorganic carbon, nutrients, conductivity (salinity), temperature and depth (CTD).

The primary study organism for this survey, with set sampling goals, is the Atlantic Mackerel. Given the sampling equipment size & techniques, the goal is to collect Atlantic Mackerel larvae or eggs. Since this focus is on fish, the samples can be referred to as ichthyoplankton. These samples will be sent to Poland, where scientists with expertise in identifying fish larvae will process them and then share the data as part of an ongoing scientific collaboration.

close up view - through a microscope - of a larval fish in a gooey substrate. the fish has a striking light blue eye that stands out from the speckled tan surroundings of the plankton sample. — *A gadiform fish larva in a plankton sample*

Scientific Concepts

We use Bongo nets to monitor ecosystem health. By lowering them deep into the water column, we can sample organisms that migrate vertically, staying in the dark depths during the day and rising to feed at night. When we haul the nets up, we typically find zooplankton like krill, along with fish larvae and copepods. Analyzing these communities provides valuable insight into primary productivity at the base of the food web, helps identify spawning locations and estimate adult stock sizes, tracks the movement of larval fish to and from nursery habitats, and reveals patterns in ocean current transport.

Tracking the distribution and abundance of these tiny organisms gives us critical data on the base of the food web. This helps us gauge the overall health of the ecosystem and predict the survival of larger, dependent species like whales. Speaking of whales… I have been pulled away from writing this blog several times today to go running (ummm, I mean briskly walking) up four flights of stairs to catch glimpses! We spotted hundreds of Short-Beaked dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, a fin whale, and pilot whales. We have also seen numerous seabird species and several Mola Molas, aka Sunfish! I need a bumper sticker that says, “I break for marine wildlife”. Trying to take photos but with fast-moving organisms, slow-moving Mrs. LaMonte, and a large moving ship is a super challenge!

a black-and-white dolphin mid-leap above bright cerulean waters, followed by at least one other dolphin beneath the water's surface — View of *Short-Beaked Dolphins* off the bow of the ship from the flying deck

Methodology

a simple map of the northeastern United States showing proposed tracklines along the coast as far north as New Hampshire and as far south as Delaware. the x-axis ranges from 77 degrees West to 64 degrees West, while the y-axis ranges from about 35 degrees North to 45 degrees North. the track lines are dotted with occasional larger dots marking proposed sampling locations. — *Proposed cruise track for sampling*

Prior to the mission, the scientists propose a cruise track to stop at the optimal sampling locations, or stations, for their research focus. After setting up their experimental design, the science team submits the proposal to request ship time and resources to complete all planned sampling. Due to ship scheduling constraints, the team often needs to revise the plan to strategically collect data at sites where they can obtain the most valuable data. This survey track was adjusted to include key sites where Atlantic Mackerel are known to spawn. The blue dots represent standard bongo stations; the red dots are for water sampling only and red dots with a black circle indicate both water sampling and bongos. The green dots in Southern New England are bongo stations specifically within wind energy areas.

Looking at the map, you can see where NOAA scientists have divided the area by latitude, since this yields similarities in coastal temperatures. First, the region is divided into the subregions of the Gulf of Maine, Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic. Then those subregions are ordered by bathymetry (measurements of the seafloor). Upper, middle, and lower shelves have different zone characteristics, such as light and temperature. The shelf regions are then mathematically divided (thanks to geometry) to enable more uniform population calculations.

a man wearing a hard hat, life vest, and blue gloves stands on the deck of a ship near a railing, facing away from the camera. he reaches his hands up to hold a line extending out of the frame above his head. Two nets, metal rings a the top and long mesh socks extending down the length of the deck, lay on deck ready for deployment. — *AB (Able Seaman) Nick Granozio raises the bongo setup over the edge of the ship* during sunrise with moon still up

a view of two computer monitors, one mounted above the other, in a lab. the top monitor displays several video feeds, while the bottom monitor displays a nautical chart and baythmetry model — *Monitors with the track locations with parameters and video feed of the bongo deployments*

Within the site divisions, some locations are designated sites that each science team consistently samples for ecosystem health as ongoing reference points. Additionally, there are 3-5 sites within that strata that are then randomly sampled during each cruise. Samples at Station 23-SNE-5, with 23 representing the strata, SNE representing the geographic region and 5 representing the random sample site, are the ones being collected at this station.

The plankton samples are collected using bongos, a pulley system equipped with a cable that deploys the nets into the water column. Typically, at the codend (narrow end), a detachable collection bucket captures and retains the zooplankton sample, enabling efficient transport to the laboratory for further analysis.

For missions in the open waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, a modification has been made: folding the cod end and tightly securing it with nylon rope. This way prevents cracked sample bottles or striking hazards from rough seas and strong ocean currents.

Once the bongo has been raised back up by the AB (Able Body) deck crew, we then hose them down thoroughly with seawater, rinsing down any plankton stuck to the top of the net into the codend. Untie the rope, rinse through a sieve, and then store in either formalin or ethanol, depending on the study purpose. In addition to the main big bongos, a set of baby bongos are sent down. The nets for both the big and baby plankton tows come in various sizes and are changed out depending on the specifications for each sampling station.

Amber hoses down the bongo nets
Student plankton nets
Plankton in sieve
Emptying sieve
AB Todd Fatkin deploying the bongo nets

Playing (hosing) the big bongos. 2. A look back at our student-designed plankton tows last year. (Photo courtesy of York High School.) Little did I know that I needed to teach you all how to play the bongos! 3. & 4. Preserving plankton in formalin. 5. AB-F Deck Crew Todd Fatkin deploying bongos.

Careers

a woman in an orange life vests stands in the engine room of NOAA Ship Pisces, wearing a life vest. in front of her are a large cooler and a plastic bin with a fitted lid. she points to a hose attached to a large piece of equipment and watches another crewmember, the view of whom mostly obscured by the equipment. — *Watch Chief Amanda Jacobsen, a Biological Lab Technician with NOAA, troubleshoots a leak*

Amanda Jacobsen serves as a Watch Chief for this mission. Displaying excellent teamwork skills to repair a seawater hose leak that occurred as we initially set sail, she recognized there was no time to waste and located the leak and an alternate flow route prior to the ship’s engineering team arriving.

Based at the NOAA Fisheries laboratory in Rhode Island, Amanda regularly participates in NOAA research cruises like this one. She developed a strong interdisciplinary foundation with coursework spanning biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and environmental law.

She is also currently pursuing her master’s degree in marine biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her graduate research focuses on the energy content of plankton and its role within the marine food web. Understanding energy flow at the base of the food pyramid is essential for managing and sustaining all higher trophic levels. This background now informs a comprehensive understanding of marine ecosystems and the many factors that influence them.

Personal Log

portrait photo of a young woman standing at the railing of the ship and smiling for the camera. the water is calm blue-gray and the sky is filled with clouds. — *Ava Cieplinski, recent marine biology*
*graduate from URI*

My shipmate Ava, a Rhode Island local, gave me a narrated tour of Narragansett Bay as the ship began its underway operations. She recently graduated with a B.S. in marine biology and has worked in various field study roles with the state in and around local waterways.

Narragansett Bay, situated along the northern edge of Rhode Island Sound, spans approximately 147 miles. It is the largest estuary in New England, serving as a vast natural harbor that supports both environmental diversity and maritime activity. The bay also encompasses a small archipelago formed by the melting of glaciers after the last ice age. As the ice sheet stalled and retreated, the region became ice-free about 14,000 years ago. A shifting mix of sea-level rise and land rebound alternately flooded and exposed the landscape. Rising seas eventually inundated the valley, permanently transforming it into an estuary.

selfie photo of Amber, wearing a green hard hat and orange life vest, standing at the railing of the ship at sunrise. the water is a beautiful aquamarine and the sunrise is orange-yellow, fading to blue. — Amber at sea

I think being at sea is absolutely magnificent! I am assigned to the 3 AM to 3 PM shift and getting up at 2 AM is not even suitable for early sea birds, but my commute to work is 60 seconds and I wouldn’t want to miss a single sunrise out on the North Atlantic Ocean! I boarded the ship with my sea legs all ready to go and we have had great weather with fair winds. The entire team has been so welcoming, both science and ship crew and I feel like a special guest. Look for the next post when I share about boat life and safety.

Did You Know?

The ichthyoplankton samples that are sent to Poland are part of a legacy project collaboration that has been ongoing for over 50 years. The project began when, after World War II, there were government funds remaining in Poland that held more value being used in Poland than converting back to U.S. dollars. Polish scientists had developed expertise in fish larval taxonomy as part of monitoring commercial and local fish populations. These scientists began training and collaborating with scientists in American waters, and the partnership between our governments remains to this day.

August 4, 2025August 8, 2025

Dorothy Holley: Is it Important to Take Your Temperature? August 2, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Dorothy Holley

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 31 – August 15, 2025

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 2, 2025

Weather Data from Bridge:
Latitude: N41^o30’0’’
Longitude: W67^o17’0’’
Sea Wave height: 8 feet waves
Wind speed: 13 kt
Wind Direction: 40^o SW
Visibility: overcast
Air Temperature: 20.^oC
Barometric Pressure: 30.22 inHg
Sky: gray to clear

view from across the cement dock of NOAA Ship Pisces in port. the sky is pale blue with a few fluffy clouds.

view looking up at a line of flags hanging vertically off an upper deck of NOAA Ship PIsces. Four of the flags spell the letters WTDL, the Pisces' call sign, in semaphore

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.

view over the railing of the sunset; the nets are visible in the foreground, folded up inside the metal rings that serve as the opening

two crewmembers wearing life jackets and hard hats stand at the rail and reach out toward the bongo nets suspended above the water's surface; it is evening and the sun has only just set

two crewmembers wearing life jackets and hard hats guide the nets back onto deck; it is evening and the sun has only just set

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.

view of tables in the mess. each of the chairs' legs is capped in a cut tennis ball. — *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?

photo of the seal of NOAA Ship Pisces, displayed somewhere on the ship. It features an illustration of the ship against a simple map of the Gulf of America, above two swimming fish. on the land of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, there's a pale image of an old diving helmet and crossed tridents. The seal includes the words NOAA Ship Pisces; R-226; Pascagoula, Mississippi. The circle of the seal is bordered by the design of a rope. — 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!

group photo of two women and a man lined up on deck against an outer wall of the ship. Dorothy, on the left, and Miles, at right, wear life jackets; Miles also wears a green hard hat. Amanda, at the center, has an intercom radio receiver attached to the neck of her sweatshirt. — 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!

Sunset over the ocean; the sun has almost dipped beneath the horizon. the sky is mostly clear except a few wisps of low clouds. — Sunset over the Atlantic

July 24, 2025July 29, 2025

Sinh Nguyen: Larval Bluefin Tuna Watch Continues! July 22, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sinh Nguyen

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 7, 2025 – July 24, 2025

Mission: Larval Bluefin Tuna Slope Survey

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.

map of the area around Newport, Rhode Island, showing a blue dot just south of the port. this map is oriented with East pointing up. — 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.

a woman sits at a computer, watching the CTD data feed. she holds an intercom in her left hand — It was awesome seeing how conductivity, temperature, and data really can tell us the best conditions to sample larval bluefin tuna.

notebooks are strewn around two computer keyboards at a desk with multiple monitors — Have your notes handy!

view of multiple computer screens needed to display the CTD feed; we see hands writing on a datasheet and holding open a small notebook — This task requires paying close to how temperature, conductivity, and depth interact.

a woman is seated at a computer, surrounded by four more science team members looking on with interest; they are all facing the camera, which is behind the computer monitor. — 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?

crewmembers rinse down bongo nets on the deck of the ship. the sky is mostly clear and the ocean is very blue. words atop the image read: Washing Bongo nets

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.

two crewmembers on deck; a woman in orange overalls holds up the codend of the bongo net resting on deck — The “spray” function was the best because water wasn’t projected too strongly.

Sinh, wearing orange overalls, stands in front of a rack of life vests, foul weather gear, and hard hats — 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.

Sinh, wearing his Teacher at Sea t shirt and orange overalls, poses on deck at night with a sieve full of plankton rinsed out of the nearby bongo net — After they’ve been washed down into trays, it felt great looking at different types of planktons!

Sinh, wearing orange overalls, kneels on deck next to bongo nets resting flat on deck. he smiles for the camera. the ocean is fairly calm and vivid blue. — 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!

Sinh, wearing a t-shirt that says "I am a remarkable mighty teacher," stands in the wet lab and holds up larval fish in his hands, smiling for the camera. — Some plankton samples.

Sinh, wearing a t-shirt that says "I am a remarkable mighty teacher," stands in the wet lab and holds up larval fish in his hands, smiling as he looks down at the samples. — Some plankton samples.

a woman in a hard hat and life vest kneels on deck at night next to a small plankton net, a sieve, and a drifter.

Drifter Traps

a woman in a hard hat, life vest, and orange overalls poses for a photo with a larval fish trap hanging from a peg on the wall — 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

close up view of a sieve containing larval fish — Some collected samples. Photo credit: Amanda Jacobsen

two women stand in the wet lab at the metal table looking down at sampled larvae

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.

a woman wearing large orange overalls stands at a metal table in the wet lab, an empty sample jar in her hands. — Plankton samples were stored in bottles filled with ethanol, to help preserve (protect) DNA and genetic properties.

in the wet lab, Dave holds up a sample jar for two other science team members to look at. we see two additional people in the background, facing away from the camera. — We had to be careful to use the right solution when preparing bottles for storage. We don’t want them preserved in seawater!

close up view of a fish preserved in a glass sample jar — 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.

two science team members look through adjacent microscopes — Observing planktons under a microscope requires close attention to details.

a man looks through a microscope — Dave was excited to have identified bluefin tuna larvae!

Sinh, wearing his Teacher at Sea t shirt, looks through a microscope and uses tweezers to adjust the plankton that he is viewing — Because the ship can get rocky, both my feet and my hands had to be as still as they can be.

two women look through microscopes at plankton samples — 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!

Sinh, in his Teacher at Sea t shirt and a backwards baseball cap, holds up a small sample vial and smiles for the camera — Once identified, we made sure samples are ok to be stored.

close-up view of a square cardboard box filled almost completely with small capped sample vials, each with a number handwritten on top. There is a space for one absent vial. — 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.

view through a microscope of a larval fish

a hand holds a petri dish containing a larval fish, about the size of a dime

view through a microscope of a larval fish against a transparent ruler — Bluefin fish larvae! Photo credit: Autumn Moya

view through a microscope of about seven larval fish against a transparent ruler — Bluefin fish larvae! Photo credit: Autumn Moya

Crew members aboard NOAA Ship Pisces.

It really does take a team to make the “science” work.

at night, three crewmembers wearing life vests lean over the railing. one holds a purple line (rope) attached to buoys and feeds it over the rail. — 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.

view of exercise equipment in the workout room — 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.

stacked washing machines in the laundry room — Fishery work can get messy. I’ve been able to do laundry during free time every few days.

two men pose for a photo near an open locker full of t-shirts. the man on the right wears a NOAA Corps uniform and a radio. — 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.

NOAA Ship Pisces online store
If you’re interested in seeing or buying, here is the store link: https://stores.inksoft.com/NOAAShipPisces

photo of a printed page displayed on a wall; as seen in red lighting for some reason. the page is titled "Your Healthiest Self: Emotional Wellness Checklist" — 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.

photo of Sinh, wearing his Teacher at Sea t shirt, posing near the railing on the flying bridge of NOAA Ship Pisces

To learn more about crew members and what they do, there was time to tour different parts of NOAA Ship Pisces.

view inside the bridge. a woman sits, arms folded, at a desk with papers and a radio intercom. a pillar on the wall is painted with four nautical flags and NOAA Ship Pisces' hull number: R-226. Beyond, we can see the windows that line the front of the bridge, and the control panels. — Autumn and I were taking photos outside when we decided to go into the bridge and learn more about its operations.

view out the bridge windows from behind the helm and control panels — *The bridge of a NOAA ship is like the ship’s control center.*

view from the back of the bridge, showing a wider view of control panels and a captains chair — *The bridge of a NOAA ship is like the ship’s control center.*

We also learned that the engines of a ship are equally as important.

a man wearing ear protection gear on his head (above his ears) points to a screen in a control panel — 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!

portrait photo of a man on the flying bridge of the ship, making a shaka sign with his right hand — 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!

a photo collage of the engineering department, with each photo individually pinned to a bulletin board. a nautical map covers the bulletin board as a background. there are 8 photos, labeled: ACMB Butters, Second Assistant Engineer Drew Barth, Fountain, 2AE Bill Bierwirth, Electrical Engineering Technician Glen "Sparky" Burton, Lewis, Karla, Junior Engineer Travis Martin. — 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.

a man with ear protection gear on his head (above his ears) stands looking at a control panel

a man looking at something in the engine room

two engineers, wearing ear protection above their ears

Sinh, wearing his Teacher at Sea t shirt, poses for a photo in front of the engines and flashes a shaka sign — 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.

Sinh and Ian stand on either side of the CTD rosette on deck, hands extended as if presenting it — 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.

Disco ball with red and green lights — There’s even a disco ball there!

Of course, we can’t forget our electronics technician, Alex!

Man stands looking at a screen — Without him, we wouldn’t have had internet on the ship.

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?

Science crew aboard ship — The amazing science crew! They look forward to seeing you at sea and working with you, future Mighty scientists!

Man wearing glasses, a NOAA Teacher at Sea t shirt, and backwards yellow baseball hat, stands on the ship with his hand on the ledge looking out to the ocean, with blue sky in the background

The text overlay says "As I'm about to sail back...I can't help but wonder...could one of you be the next ocean explorer?"

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!

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

Sinh Nguyen: Big Ocean, Big Mission, July 21, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Sinh Nguyen

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 7, 2025 – July 24, 2025

Mission: Larval Bluefin Tuna Slope Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Ocean, Slope Sea

Date: 7/21/2025

Weather Data:

4:27 PM Eastern Time

screenshot from the "Windy" app, showing a map of wind direction and speed in the eastern United States and Atlantic Ocean. A white dot near the continental shelf east of Delaware marks Sinh's current location. The colors and wind marks indicate a storm over the ocean to the east. — 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.

topographic and bathymetric map of the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Northeast Atlantic Coast, up through Canada, and part of Greenland. — *The Slope Sea is a region, or area, of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Photo credit: NOAA*

map of the northeast Atlantic Ocean color coded to show ocean temperatures. "Slope Sea" is identified offshore, east of Delaware and New Jersey. — *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.

a man stands at the front of the mess hall (we can see the tables with condiment baskets) next to a large screen mounted on the wall, displaying a slide (version 1) — Chief Scientist Dave gave a presentation on the goals of our mission.

Activity: Let’s explore Slope Sea on Google Earth!

Click on this link: https://earth.google.com/web/@40,-68,7.90643423a,629.4080939d,35y,0h,0t,0r/data=CgRCAggBQgIIAEoNCP___________wEQAA?authuser=0
Search these coordinates: 40°N, 68°W
Click the “Ocean” option if you want to see more!

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!

a man standing at a work table in the wet lab — Chief Scientist Dave

close up view of a woman flipping through a book — Autumn

a woman sitting at a desk with multiple computer monitors — Betsy

Sunrise Crew

This team works from the 3AM to 3PM watch. They get to see the sunrise!

group photo of four women in matching light-blue t shirts on deck (Version 1) — Sunrise crew is representing! Photo credit: Allison Black

group photo of four women in matching light-blue t shirts on deck (Version 2) — Sunrise crew is representing! Photo credit: Allison Black

a woman poses for a photo with a safety skills dummy in the wet lab — Kristen

a woman kneeling on the deck next to a piece of scientific equipment looks up and smiles for a photo — Amanda

a woman in a hard hat and life vest crouches next to a suspended larval fish trap and a drifter, on the aft deck at night — Sarah

a woman rinses down a plankton net into a sieve in the wet lab — Chrissy

a woman stands at the rail on the flying bridge of NOAA Ship Pisces. She looks through a camera with a large, long lense. Words on top of the image read: "Seabird Crew. Allison surveys seabirds on the flying bridge, the highest point of NOAA Ship Pisces! She then identifies them for research."

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!

Sinh stands at the alidade, an instrument mounted on a pillar on an upper deck of NOAA Ship Pisces. The sky and ocean are a bright blue, and there is a low line of clouds at the horizon. (version 1) — This tool is like binoculars.

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?

hands use a squeeze bottle to fill a small sample vial; we see a microscope on the table in front of this person. Words on top of the imeage read: "We've all been coordinating (working together) for these four tasks to be done:"

We’ve all been coordinating (working together) for these four tasks to be done:

Computer for CTD and Data

a woman sits at a computer desk with multiple monitors; she looks up at one of the higher monitors, which is displaying four outdoor camera feeds

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.

Sinh sits at a computer desk next to a woman in a blue sweatshirt. they both look up at the computer monitors displaying video and data feeds. — Recording CTD data

Sinh sits at a computer desk next to a woman in a blue sweatshirt. Sinh looks ahead at a lower computer monitor. — Recording 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

two crewmembers in hard hats and life vests stand around the retrieved bongo nets, which are splayed out on deck. It is nighttime. Words on top the image read: "After catching planktons (tiny fish and other small creatures), we wash the nets carefully, so we don’t lose any samples."

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

close up view of a sample jar in someone's hands containing plankton suspended in solution; it is a bit out of focus. Words on top of the image read: We wash and store planktons in jars to keep them safe.

We wash and store planktons in jars to keep them safe.

Dave carefully washed plankton down to be preserved and then observed.

These bottles are stored in ethanol, which helps preserve (protect) the DNA of planktons.

fingers smooth out a printed label affixed to the white lid of a sample jar — 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.

a woman adjusts the lenses of a microscope at a lab bench — 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.

view over a woman's shoulder as she flips through a guidebook. her phone is on the table next to the book, displaying an image of a plankton. — Autumn was observing and identifying what kinds of planktons we saw on the microscope.

view through a microscope of several types of fish larvae on a petri dish — Autumn was observing and identifying what kinds of planktons we saw on the microscope.

Sinh looks through a microscope on a bench. his Teacher at Sea hat is backwards so the rim stays out of the way. there is a pair of tweezers on the bench in front of him. — 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?)

Sinh, in the foreground, leans over a tray holding tweezers in his right hand and a light cord in his left hand. in the background, Dave points at a guidebook laying open on a table next to a microscope, and speaks with another person who is mostly obscured by Sinh. — 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?

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.

close up view of a bulletin board. a nautical chart forms the background. five images have been posted to this section, labeled "Deck Dept." Their captions read: Chief Boatswain James "Boats" Walker, AB Brandon Wang, Freeman, AB Rodney English, and AB-F Todd Fatkin. — The deck crew helps the ship work safely. They make sure everything on deck working right.
Photo credit: NOAA Ship Pisces

view of the bongo nets lying folded flat on the aft deck of NOAA Ship Pisces; beyond, we can see the CTD rosette. the sky and water are bright blue. — Nets on deck

view over multiple decks of the Pisces while it is in port; possibly over a small boat covered and in storage — They do things like drive small boats to and from the ship.

a pile of ropes on the gangway leading up to NOAA Ship Pisce — They do things like drive small boats to and from the ship.

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 Black

a dolphin leaping entirely above the water — Photo Credit: Allison Black, NOAA

a seabird grasps a piece of something (a fish?) in its bill as it swims along the ocean surface — Photo Credit: Allison Black, NOAA

a group of people on deck surrounded by life jackets and bagged survival suits; the drill has not begun yet — 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?

view of the buffet bar in the mess hall; a line of people work on fixing their plates — 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).