NOAA Teacher at Sea
Cary Atwood
Onboard NOAA Ship Albatross IV
July 25 – August 5, 2005
Mission: Sea scallop survey
Geographical Area: New England
Date: July 29, 2005
Weather from the Bridge
Visibility: Clear
Wind direction: NNW (230)
Wind speed: 15 knots
Sea wave height: unknown
Swell wave height: unknown
Seawater temperature: 11.4° C
Sea level pressure: 1012 millibars
Cloud cover: Dense Fog
Question of the Day:
Define these terms used aboard the ALBATROSS IV: lines, bosun, steam, swell
Yesterday’s answer: Pelagic means “of the sea.” Lesser shearwaters are part of a larger group of pelagic birds who spend their entire adult lives out in the open ocean. They rest, sleep, feed and mate on the water. The only time they return to land is to lay a brood of eggs in the same geographic location where they were born and fledged before they left for the open waters of adulthood.
Science and Technology Log
Today’s topic is ALBATROSS IV Geography: a mini guide to the important places on the ship.
Fantail—Another name for the stern of the ship. Since this is a ship on which scientific missions are completed, this section of the boat has space to accommodate the gantry and boom, which pulls up the dredge, as well as a full wet lab to process scallops and other groundfish species. Wet Lab—The area in the fantail with touch computer screens and magnetically activated measuring boards and scales to document scallop survey data. Bridge—The enclosed area where navigation and sighting is done by the captain and crewmembers. A full complement of computers is used to assess position, direction and locations of ships and buoys.
Computer Room—Located on the middle deck, it contains computers with e-mail access, FSCS computers and computer servers. In every main area of the ship, a computer monitor with a closed circuit view of the fantail can be seen. This is so the scientists, engineers, and captain can know the status of the fantail area at all times. Galley—Another name for the kitchen area. Food for the crew is prepared here by Jerome Nelson and served buffet style by Keith. The menu is posted daily and always includes a wide assortment of meats, breads and vegetables, as well as that all-important treat: ice cream! Hurricane Deck—AKA “Steel Beach”- a small deck above the fantail used for sunbathing and relaxation. Engine Room—Noisy room down in the bulkhead where the engineering crew keeps the two diesel engines running smoothly. Boom and Gantry—Found on the aft deck (otherwise known as the fantail), these are the all-essential components needed to tow the eight-foot net. The gantry is the large metal A-frame and the boom is the moveable arm or crane, which uses large cables and a pulley system to bring up the net each time. Cabin or stateroom—Sleeping quarters for two or three persons. It has portholes, bunks and a shared bathroom.
Personal Log
Today the ocean waters have calmed a bit. Thursday’s wave action gave new meaning to the term “rock the boat,” which is exactly what we did. The swells, up to three feet in height, were the distant result of Tropical Storm Franklin as it made its way up into the waters of New England. A good safety rule we learned during our brief introductory meeting was to make sure you gave “one hand to the boat” at all times. This was especially good advice as my footing placement became increasingly unpredictable. Ships are built to withstand the high seas, and fortunately, there are plenty of places to put a firm grip as one makes their way around the ship.
