safety drill – Page 5 – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

July 22, 2008April 2, 2021

Gary Ledbetter, July 22, 2008

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Gary Ledbetter
Onboard NOAA Ship Rainier
July 7 – 25, 2008

Mission: Hydrographic Survey
Geographical area of cruise: Pavlov Islands, Alaska
Date: July 22, 2008

Weather from Bridge
Winds W/NW 10-15 building to 20
Partly Sunny, High 55 F
Seas 2-4 feet

NOAA Teacher at Sea, Gary Ledbetter, helps prepare the CTD for a cast.

Science and Technology Log

Navigation

Take a close look at some of the electronic communication and navigation equipment in the picture above. Which one do you think is the most important? Well, it’s probably not in this picture. Depending on who you ask you will get a different answer as to which piece of equipment is the most important. One would think with the advancements in electronics, it would be the GPS, or some other piece of high tech equipment. Although the most important piece is related to some of the high tech equipment, the instrument itself is not even close to being on the list of the latest and greatest technological equipment – it’s the compass; more specifically the gyro compass.

History

Unlike many things we may feel are rather mundane, the gyrocompass has an interesting history. Apparently taking a patent out for something that doesn’t work is not a new phenomenon because the gyrocompass was patented in 1885 (only about 20 years after the end of the Civil War) by Geradus van den Bos…. and yes, it didn’t work! Four years later, Captain Author Krebs designed an electronic gyroscope for use aboard a French submarine. Then, in 1903, Hermann Anschutz-Kaempfre refined the gyrocompass, applied for and also was granted a patent. Five years later, in 1908, Anschutz-Kaempfre, with the help of Elmer Ambrose Sperry did more research on the compass and was granted an additional patent in both Germany and the United States. Then things started to heat up. Sperry, in 1914, tried to sell this gyrocompass to the German Navy and Anschutz-Kaempfre sued Sperry for patent infringement. As happens today, the attorneys got involved and various arguments were presented. Now it even gets more interesting – Albert Einstein got involved. First, Einstein agreed with Sperry and then somewhere during the proceedings, Einstein had a change of heart and jumped on the Anschutz-Kaempfre bandwagon. The bottom line? Anschutz-Kaempfre won in 1915.

A myriad of navigation equipment exists aboard the RAINIER.

So What?

OK, this history is all well and good, but what does a gyrocompass do that any regular compass can’t do? In a nutshell, a gyrocompass finds true north, which is the direction of the Earths rotational axis, not magnetic north – the direction our Boy Scout compass pointed. Another factor of the gyrocompass is that it is not affected by metal such as the ships hull. Put your Boy Scout compass next to a large metal object and see what happens. Also remember one thing: When you tried to find magnetic north with a Boy Scout compass, you had to hold it very, very still. Try reading a regular compass aboard a ship that is not only moving through the water, but is being tossed about by the waves and currents of the ocean. The gyrocompass addresses this concern also. Without going into a lot of detail (and yes there are a lot of details, even about a compass) friction causes torque, which makes the axis of the compass to remain perpendicular. In other words as the ship rolls and pitches, torque makes the axis of the compass to remain perpendicular to the earth. You then have an instrument that can read true north in nearly all weather conditions.

The electronic gyrocompass aboard the RAINIER

Definition

Torque: A turning or twisting force

Personal Log

I was a victim! I was a victim of NOAA! In fact, I was a very, very willing victim! NOAA’s safety record is very high and they conduct numerous safety drills to maintain that record and to insure the safety of all aboard. On July 20^th I was asked if I wanted to play the “victim” in an upcoming safety drill. Of course I jumped at the chance. I was to play an unconscious fire victim with broken bones. After I staged the “accident” the various medical and fire suppression teams came to my rescue. These drills are very serious part of NOAA’s operation and are taken seriously by the crew – but that didn’t mean I didn’t have fun in the process!!

Gary plays the part of the “victim” during a safety drill on the RAINIER.

July 20, 2008April 2, 2021

Laurie Degenhart, July 20, 2008

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Laurie Degenhart
Onboard NOAA Ship Delaware II
July 14-25, 2008

Mission: Clam Survey
Geographical Area: North Atlantic
Date: July 20, 2008

Weather Data from the Bridge
Winds at 200° at 23 knots
Sea temperature: 24.2° C
Air temp 24.6° C
Swells: 0
Atmosphere: Clear

Science and Technology Log

Scientists and volunteers sort dredge materials.

We are now into day 7 of our clam survey. Everyone on the ship pulls together as a team to make each tow a success. Each location for a dredge site is called a station. The NOAA crew in charge of the ship must not only be at exactly the correct longitude and latitude, but the depth of the water, the speed of the tow, and the condition of the sea (waves and swells) must also be considered. There are three separate places on the ship where these decisions are made. The bridge controls the location of the ship and notes the conditions of the sea. The chief bosun controls the dredge towing. He manages the cables, depth, and length of the tow. The scientist in the lab choose the exact location of the tow and the depth. The scientists use sensors attached to the dredge to log data about the tow. The bosun reels the cable back to the ship and onto the platform. After the tow has been made the deck hands secure the dredge compartment where the catch is.

The scientific crew then measures and counts the clams. A scientist from the FDA, Stacey Etheridge, has the science crew shuck a certain number of clams. She then homogenizes them in a food processor to take back to the laboratory to test for possible toxins. The NOAA scientists collect data on the different types of clams as well as the size and weight. They are also trying to determine the age of the clam given the rings on the shell. In addition to the scientist on the Delaware II, there is an entire NOAA crew. There are engineers, ship’s officers, and fishermen. Everyone has specific assignments. The NOAA officers are at sea approximately 244 days a year. The NOAA careers website here.

Personal Log

The scientists must have many skills in order to keep the study going. Not only do they have to know about the clams, but also how to fix problems with the computer program and its sensors, as well as the mechanical operation of the dredge equipment.

The weather at sea has been very hot and humid. The hours are long. We do approximately 10 tows on a twelve-hour shift. Think about this… each tow gathers around 4 thousand pounds of material off the ocean floor. That makes 40,000 pounds. There are 7 people on our shift. That means each of us sorts and moves around 5700 pounds in a shift…. that’s as much as a small car! I guess I can have dessert with lunch today. The work is enjoyable.

Tina and I have shucked over 500 clams. We ROCK, or should I say CLAM, at shelling Quahogs. The Captain told me that we may feel the effects of tropical storm, Cristobol. I sure hope I don’t get seasick. I learned a new skill…swabbing the deck. It is amazing the range of tasks each crewmember has to have to keep the ship running smoothly.

Our Chief Scientist, Sean Lucey, oversees all of the roles of the scientists and volunteers. It’s a big job and he sets the tone for the rest of us. Everyone is positive and willing to do whatever is needed. Jakub, the Watch Chief, oversees the general operation of sorting and measuring the clams. Both Sean and Jakub are great at teaching me the ropes so that I can do my best. One time as I was on my way to my “station” Sean remarked, “I know you’ll be ready.” I thought that was great, sometimes I get anxious about doing the exact right thing at the right time.

I am starting to think about the lesson plans that I am going to write. I want to make a simulation of a clam survey for elementary students using Oreo Cookies to gather data. Sean is going to give me data from the trip to use in my lesson plans. One of my goals for my presentations is to go to various Vocational Classes to talk about all the facets of NOAA as a career path. I also want to develop a presentation about the roles of a scientist, showing the different aspects of the skills that they have.

Once again the meals have been great. I was told that the Stewards, John and Walter, have a reputation for providing the best food of all the NOAA ships. Sure seems right to me! We have had great meals. One night we had Sea Bass, another night we had lamb chops. There is always an abundance of vegetables and fruit. Then there is dessert… apple pie!

July 15, 2008April 2, 2021

Laurie Degenhart, July 15, 2008

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Laurie Degenhart
Onboard NOAA Ship Delaware II
July 14-25, 2008

Mission: Clam Survey
Geographical Area: North Atlantic
Date: July 15, 2008

Weather Data from the Bridge
Winds at 200° at 7 knots
Sea temperature: 20.7° C
Air temp 24.4° C
Swells: 160 4’ 12 sec.
Atmosphere: Clear

Science and Technology Log (Monday, July 14 – Thursday, July 17)

NOAA Teacher at Sea, Laurie Degenhart, gets ready to set sail on the DELAWARE II.

We set sail midday on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. Monday was spent with repairs. We heard a presentation by Dr.Larry Jacobson, the head of the Clam Survey Project. He explained that there was a general shift in the populations of Surf Clams and Ocean Quahogs.

This study is collecting data for his team to use in determining the changes and possible causes of the change. NOAA and the clam fishing industry enjoy a good relationship, working handin-hand to protect the clam population and promote clam fishing. We were taken to the NOAA storeroom and outfitted with our “foul weather gear.” We wear the gear on board to sort and shuck clams. We each were issued boots, yellow bib overalls, and an orange rain slicker….I look quite dashing.

Laurie dons a survival suit during a ship safety briefing.

Chief scientist, Sean Lucey, gave us a general description of the work that we would be doing. Sean stressed how important accuracy is in all the facets of the Clam Survey. There are several assignments. Each person is assigned a shift. My shift is from Noon until midnight. That’s 12 hours! We are not to return to our room until our shift is over, because the other women I share the room are on the opposite shift and will be sleeping. I am on a team with Jakub Kircun, as the Watch Chief. He is very patient and kind, even when I make a mistake. There are seven people on our team: four NOAA scientists, one graduate student who is studying plankton, one volunteer, and me, the Teacher at Sea.

General Description of a Clam Dredge

The back of the Delaware II has a large metal dredge (it looks like a giant square shifter-See photo.) The cage is lowered to the sea floor at pre-determined random locations and dragged by a special cable called a hauser for exactly 5 minutes. Then the dredge is hauled back to the boat and its contents are dumped on a platform. We all sort through the dredged material sorting out clams and other sea life, throwing the rest back out to sea. The clams are measured, weighed, and some meat specimens are taken for examination. Computers record a vast array of information for the scientists. Sean Lucey (Chief Scientist) is always making decisions where we go and provides the lab and other scientists information about the catch. The team does around 10 or so tows in a twelve hour shift.

First Assignment

I was assigned by, Jakub Kircun, Watch Chief, to record information about the tow a using computerized data collection system called SCS (Scientific Computer Systems). I go into a room on the bridge and listen to the deck department communicating with the bridge and I record when the dredge is on the bottom, towing, and back on deck. The information is tracked in SCS with button pushers. I also log information about wave height, swell direction, and swell height, which I receive from the officer on watch. I also need to record depth, time, and speed of the boat during a dredge tow. This provides accurate data for the scientists back on land to analyze. As soon as that part of my job is finished, I come down stairs to help sort and shuck the clams..

Personal Log

Holy Cow, a 12 hour shift….from noon until mid-night! I was worried, but the shift seems to fly by. There is always something that needs to be done. I was assigned by Jakub Kircun, Watch Chief, to record the sensors for the dredge itself. What a responsibility!!! Talk about pressure. Sean, Chief Scientist, has been really great. His sense of humor has helped ease my stress. I never realized how much computers are used aboard a ship to monitor experimental data. Not to mention the general running of the ship….. There are 31 computers in all. For each tow which Sean and Jakub call a station, I do the recording for the dredge then come down stairs…put on my boots and bib overalls and head out to sort the clams with the others on my team. It’s a big job…good thing I am used to working in the woods of Wyoming… otherwise, I don’t think I could keep up!!!

Laurie sorts clam on the fantail of the ship.

After we sort the clams, Tina, a graduate student from University of Connecticut, and I measure and weigh the clams using a special computerized machine called a Limnoterra Fish Measuring Board. Tina and I are becoming great clam shuckers. We need to weigh the clams both with and without the shell. Joe, the other volunteer, also helps weigh and shuck the clams. Sometimes they are sweet smelling… but sometimes not! They look nothing like Howard Johnson’s Clam Strips!

I have started a shell collection to bring back to my school. I will be working with the Science Coordinator to design science experiments that use data from our trip. The Chief Scientist, Sean Lucey, is working with me to develop lesson plans that use the data being collected. Just learning to find my way around the ship has been a challenge. I’ve learned to find the galley…. great food. Walt and John, the ship’s stewards, are fantastic chefs. Today we had crab cakes with lemon sauce, vegetables, and peach cobbler with whipped cream for dessert. I am telling myself that as much physical work as I am doing I can eat what I want….that’s my story and I am sticking to it!

All the crew has been welcoming and accepting. Richie and Adam, NOAA crewmembers, take care of securing the dredge. It looks like a dangerous job to me! They both have a great sense of humor.

September 27, 2007April 2, 2021

Allison Schaffer, September 27, 2007

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Allison Schaffer
Onboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter
September 14 – 27, 2007

Mission: Ichthyoplankton Survey
Geographical Area: Gulf of Mexico
Date: September 27, 2007

A beautiful sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

Science and Technology Log

The past few days have been kind of crazy on the ship. Two days ago we did a fire drill and an abandon ship drill. We did these drills the within the first few days of our cruise and I got lost trying to get to my correct area for the abandon ship drill. But this time, not a problem. First we did a fire drill. They sounded the horn and let us know it’s a drill and all the scientists report to the same area where wait for word from the bridge to release us from our drill. While we were waiting, the crew suited up in the gear they would need for a real fire and the Executive Officer, or XO, Nathan Hancock, picked me and one of the other scientists to help out with the fire hose. I was up front and held the nozzle while the other scientist supported the hose. That was my very first fire hose experience! Next we did an abandon ship drill. Everyone on board is assigned a specific area to report to and you must bring with you few items: your survival suit for cold water, a long sleeve shirt, long pants and a hat. Once everyone has reported to their area, we wait for word from the crew to let us know we can head back to the lab. Then yesterday, we did a man overboard drill. To simulate a real man overboard situation, the crew threw a dummy into the water, sounded the man overboard alarm and alerted everyone that there was a man overboard on the port (left) side.

The scientists all report to the same area and have the important job of being the eyes for the crew while they ready the rescue boat. For this drill, we stood up on deck and pointed in the direction of the man overboard as the crew deployed the rescue boat and headed in the direction we were pointing. We did that until the rescue boat was in view of the man overboard. I liked watching the crew in action and seeing how well they worked together. Last night I was able to visit the bridge to see how they run everything up there. My shift was over and the night shift was getting set up to do their first station of the night. I asked if I could stick around and watch them do a station so I would know what it’s like from the perspective of the officers. It was very cool. And then we had our last full station today. I finished my last bongo, Neuston and CTD tonight. We will be doing some more methot samples as we head home for me and some other teachers to bring to their classrooms. So we aren’t completely done with everything, but the cruise is definitely winding down.

Personal Log

Last day of stations was today! This is exciting because it means that we successfully finished the leg of our cruise. But at the same time it’s sad because that means I will be going home soon. And I just figured out how to get everywhere on the ship. As educational and fun as this has been, I am excited to get home. I have so many stories that I can’t wait to share with everyone and hopefully inspire some of my co-workers to get involved with experiences like this.

Addendum: Glossary of Terms

Visibility is how far ahead you can see from the ship. On a very foggy day you may only have a visibility of 10 ft whereas on a clear day you can see all the way to the horizon, or 12 nautical miles.
Wind direction tells you which way the wind is blowing from: 0° is north, 90° is east, 180° is south, and 270° is west.
Sea wave height is the height of the smaller ripples
Swell height is the estimates larger waves
Sea level pressure (or Barometric Pressure) indicates what the trend of the weather has been. High barometric pressure usually means sunny weather and rain can not build up in clouds if they are being squeezed together by high pressure. Low barometric pressure means rainy or stormy weather is on the way.
Present Weather is a description of what the day’s weather is.

– Courtesy of Thomas Nassif, NOAA Teacher at Sea, 2005 Field Season

Field Party Chief or FPC is in charge of the team of scientists on board the ship. This person oversees all activities having to do with collection of samples and is the go to person in case anything goes wrong that the scientists can’t handle. They also act as an extra set of hands when needed.
Bongo Net is two circular frames 60 cm in diameter sitting side by side with two 333 micron nets and a weight in the center to help it sink. At the base of each net is a plastic container used to collect all the plankton that can be easily removed so we can retrieve the samples
Lab Scientist is the scientist that stays in the lab to work the computers recording the data on sample time, sample depth and is the one that relays information to the deck
personnel about when the nets have hit maximum depth. They keep watch in case anything goes wrong underwater.
Deck Scientist is the scientist out on deck getting the nets ready, rinsing the nets, collecting and preserving samples. They are the eyes on deck in case anything goes wrong at the surface or on deck.
Neuston Net is one net 1 X 2 meters with a 947 micron net. Neuston samples are done only at the surface and placed in the water for ten minutes.
The Bridge is the navigational hub of the ship. This is where the officers steer and navigate the ship and where all the equipment is located to help them to do so. It is usually the top deck on ships to give the crew the best visual of the water.
XO or Executive Officer is the second in command to the CO. The XO is responsible for the administration of the ship, supervising department chiefs as well as all officers. They are also responsible for the budget.

August 27, 2007April 1, 2021

Adrienne Heim, August 27, 2007

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Adrienne Heim
Onboard NOAA Ship Albatross IV
August 7 – September 2, 2007

Mission: Sea Scallop Survey
Geographic Region: Northeast U.S.
Date: August 27, 2007

Science and Technology Log: CTD Casts

Immediately following the fire and abandon ship drills, we proceeded to have a debriefing regarding appropriate and professional behaviors, as well as, receiving information regarding shift schedules, meals, work expectations, etc. Our Chief Scientist, Victor Nordahl, informed us of the various duties and responsibilities each of us would have during the Sea Scallop Survey. I was paired with another volunteer, Shawn, to help with the measuring of the sea scallops once they were sorted and weighed. I was also assigned the role of performing CTD casts and collecting data from the inclinometer.CTD casts are performed at every third station. The acronym stands for conductivity, temperature, and depth. It is a hefty contraption that is hooked onto a cable and sent down, a vertical cast, into the water. Basically, while the CTD is sent down vertically, it records the temperature, depth, salinity, and pressure. The saltier the water, the more conductivity is generated. The cast first soaks for about one-two minutes at the surface of the water to record the salinity. It is then sent down, stops about 5-10 meters before reaching the bottom of the ocean floor and then is hauled back. Recording this data is essential for scientists, especially while conducting a Sea Scallop Survey; because the CTD casts helps to associate water temperature and salinity with sea scallop abundance. Scientists record the data to view it later and assess the casts with the other data collected from the work stations.

Computers and cameras recording information from the CTD