NOAA Teacher at Sea
Ruth S. Meadows
Onboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow June 12 – July 18, 2009
Mission: Census of Marine Life (MAR-Eco) Geographical Area: Mid- Atlantic Ridge; Charlie- Gibbs Fracture Zone Date: June 12, 2009
Weather Data from the Bridge
Temperature 14.7o C
Humidity 96%
Wind 12.4 kts
The Henry B. Bigelow
Science and Technology Log
We left Newport, Rhode Island today to begin our journey of 1750 miles to the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ) located along the Mid- Atlantic Ridge. Mar-Eco is an international exploratory study of the animals inhabiting the northern Atlantic Ocean.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a volcanic mountain range in the middle of the ocean marking the spreading zone between the Eurasian and American continental plates. New ocean floor is constantly being formed there. The groups of animals to be studied includes fishes, crustaceans, cephalopods (squids) and a wide range of gelatinous animals (e.g. jellyfish) living either near the seabed or half-way above the ridge.
The animals will be collected using special nets that will be lowered to a specific depth behind the boat and then pulled back up after a certain amount of time. These animals will be transferred to the lab located in the ship to be studied, counted and cataloged by the research scientists.
Personal Log
My cabin on the Bigelow
Life on a research ship is different from life on land. The cabins are small but well planned. Each cabin has two scientists in them. Bunk beds and built in cabinets are in each unit as well as a computer with flat screen that can be used as a TV also. Each room has its own bathroom as well.
There is a lounge area with sofas, large TV and conference room. The galley (think dining room) has tables with chairs and a serving area. The food has been really good so far – fresh fruit and vegetables. I wonder what will happen after 4 weeks to the freshness of the fruits. Of course there is a scientific lab with equipment that is used specifically for the job to be done. The equipment on the boat for collecting samples is almost overwhelming. I can’t wait to actually see it at work. I haven’t been able to see much off the ship as it has been very foggy – hopefully it will clear up soon.
Did You Know?
You can track the Henry B. Bigelow on the Internet here. Just select the ship you want to follow and the current cruise. It will give you our position as well as information about the weather.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Jeff Lawrence
Onboard Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp
June 8-19, 2009
Mission: Sea scallop survey Geographical area of cruise: North Atlantic Date: June 11, 2009
Weather Data from the Bridge
NE winds 15-20KT
Seas 4-8ft, cold front moving off land
Temperature at Sea 68˚F
Foggy with low visibility, light rain periodically
Science and Technology Log
The crew is busy collecting scallops. Occasionally between tows, the crew shuck scallops to eat onboard, this is allowable in open areas. A meal of freshly shucked scallops will be enjoyed by those onboard the ship. Shucking scallops is a skill that can be learned over several days. A long curved skinny knife is inserted between the shells and part of the scallop is cut away from the shell. With a little skill one more quick cut of the knife and all the inside parts of the scallop are whisked away leaving behind a cylinder shaped piece of white meat that is the part of the scallop enjoyed by people around the world.
TAS Duane Sanders (left) is busy sorting scallops while others shuck the scallops (right).
Some dredges produced scallops exclusively, while others produce very few scallops and lots of starfishes or sand dollars. Scientists are trying to understand the dynamics between the starfish and scallop populations as well as other species. Getting rid or over fishing one species can have a profound effect on other species especially if that species is considered a keystone species in that particular environment.
The R/V Hugh R. Sharp (Lewes, Delaware)
Personal Log
The Research Vessel Hugh R. Sharp is one of the newer ships in the fleet of research vessels along the Atlantic coast. The ship is 146 feet long with state of the art equipment onboard to help it complete missions vital to ocean research. It cost about $14,000 dollars a day to keep the ship doing research while at sea. The ship is very versatile and has completed a varied amount of differing research cruises along the east coast of the United States. I am amazed at how quiet the ship is when running. I have been on two other research vessels, and they were much louder when underway. The Sharp has diesel engines that run electric motors making it run much quieter and smoother than other research ships. The ship will also turn on a dime usually it takes quite of bit of time and space to turn a ship around. This is not true on the Sharp it will turn very quickly due the bow thrusters onboard the ship. The ship may be smaller than many research vessels, however it is versatile and efficient when conducting research along the Atlantic coast.
The crew which are captained by Bill Byam are well trained and prepared for the task required of them to make sure the science is completed in a timely manner and efficiently for the scientist aboard. I have found working with the crew to be an enjoyable experience. The food onboard is superb, Paul is a great cook and prepares unique dishes for every meal and is also an avid fellow soccer fan.
Question of the Day
What and how do scallops eat to survive?
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Nicole Macias
Onboard NOAA Vessel Oscar Elton Sette May 31-June 28, 2009
Mission: Lobster Survey Geographical area of cruise: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Date: Sunday, May 31, 2009
Weather Data from the Bridge
Location: 21° 14.6 ‘ N; 158° 07.5’ W
Wind Speed: 15 kts.
Wave Height: 1-2 ft.
Sea Water Temp: 26.4° C
Air Temp.: 26° C
NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette about to leave port
Science and Technology Log
Well the ship was originally supposed to depart on May 28, but first it experienced generator problems delaying the trip by two days and then there were problems with the salt water holding tank postponing the trip another day. The reason there have been delays with the ship is because the Oscar Elton Sette was originally made for the Vietnam War. It never did see any action, but it is that old. In preparation for the cruise we received a cultural briefing on the importance of the North Western Hawaiian Islands to the native islanders. The natives are very spiritual and believe that the souls of their ancestors travel to these islands.
View from the Maunawili Trail
After the cultural briefing, we went to the ship where we were given a brief tour and then loaded 6,000 lbs of bait. The bait we are using is mackerel. The chief scientist, Bob Moffit, informed me that mackerel is good for bait because it is very bloody and oily. Mackerel is considered a constant variable in the lobster study. This means it is something that stays exactly the same during each trial. If they used different bait during each trip they might not know if that affects their results so they keep it constant.
Jumping off the falls at Maunawili Falls
Personal Log
Since the trip was delayed I had time to explore the island of Oahu. My hotel was located in Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii. It is a very busy and somewhat crowded place. The population of Oahu is around 1million and the entire population of all the Hawaiian Islands is around 1.3 million. So it makes sense that it is a heavily populated area and it is usually the first stop for visitors from the main land, ex. Ft. Lauderdale!
This is my room that I share with four other women!
I rented a surfboard for an hour at Waikiki Beach and was able to catch a few waves even though the line up was very crowded. I also got to explore the North Shore and see all the famous surf breaks. While there I stopped at a little ice cream shop that had mochi, which is a Japanese food made from sticky rice. This shop just happened to stuff the sticky rice cake with ice cream and it was delicious. My favorite experience so far was hiking up to a waterfall in the forest. The scenery was very beautiful and when you reached the fall you could climb up and jump of a ledge into a very cold pool of water. I am on the ship now and everyone seems very nice. There are three other women who are considered part of the “science party.” We are all in a room together. The room is meant for six people, but there are only four of us so we have plenty of space and extra drawers for our belongings. I will write again soon!
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Marilyn Frydrych
Onboard NOAA Ship Delaware II September 15-25, 2008
Mission: Atlantic Herring Hydroacoustic Survey Geographical area of cruise: New England Coastal Waters Date: September 25, 2008
Weather Data from the Bridge
41.27 degrees N, 70.19 degrees W
Partly Cloudy with wind out of the W at 19 knots
Dry Bulb Temperature: 26.0 degrees Celsius
Wet Bulb Temperature: 20.9 degrees Celsius
Waves: 2 feet Visibility: 10 miles
Sea Surface Temperature: 21.6 degrees Celsius
Science and Technology Log
We received a call from the Coast Guard yesterday telling us to seek shelter because of the impending interaction of Hurricane Kyle with a strong cold front approaching us. We cut our cruise a day short and headed for Woods Hole. As we headed back in I had time to reflect on my experiences over the last couple weeks. I particularly appreciated all the positive energy of the scientific crew. They were always very helpful and thoughtful as well as efficient. I learned a lot from them. Each morning I found myself looking forward to what might unfold as we worked together. I totally enjoyed my four or five hours of free time each day. Often I would spend this time on the bow or the fantail taking in the rhythm of the sea. It was a very soothing experience much like watching a camp fire. The sunsets, too, brought a sense of awe and peace.
Each of the crew was a master of multiple tasks. Jon Rockwell was not only an expert cook, but a medic as were three others aboard. As part of their initial training with the NOAA Corps the four officers had entered a room fully in flames and totally filled with smoke. If they had to, they could navigate by the stars. Two of the officers were NOAA trained SCUBA divers. The engineers could fix anything whether it had to do with distilling water, leaking hydraulic pipes, stuck drawers, broken toilets, cracked welds, or the various diesel engines. They were experts in the “green” rules governing disposal of waste. The ET specialist could fix both hardware and software. The scientists knew their software programs backwards and forwards. All very impressive.
NOAA Teacher at Sea
Mary Anne Pella-Donnelly
Onboard NOAA Ship David Jordan Starr September 8-22, 2008
Mission: Leatherback Use of Temperate Habitats (LUTH) Survey Geographical Area: Pacific Ocean –San Francisco to San Diego Date: September 13, 2008
Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 3645.9407 N Longitude: 12501.4783 W
Wind Direction: 344(compass reading) NE
Wind Speed: 13.5 knots
Surface Temperature: 14.197
Computer generated map of sampling area using satellite and in situ data. The satellite image on the right includes land (white) on the right edge, of the area between San Francisco and San Luis Obispo.
Science and Technology Log
As the scientific team conducts its research locating areas where jellyfish congregate, they have determined that samples need to be taken along both sides of a warm water/cold water boundary. The charts below comprise a computer-generated chart of water temperature in the area we are focusing on. The chart on the right was created from remotely sensed data obtained from a satellite, and a small square of that is enlarged on the left. The chart on the left is produced from a computer model that smoothes out the lines and includes data taken continuously from the ship and integrated into the chart. Although hard to read at this resolution, the legend shows where CTD’s have been deployed, along with XBT’s, which record temperature. It also marks where upcoming deployments will take place. Net trawls were also deployed to collect samples of jellyfish that might be in the region. The quest is on for good turtle habitat.
After examining these charts above, please answer the following questions:
What can you tell about the temperature of the water just off the coastline for most of that area of California?
What range temperature of water does it appear that the LUTH survey is currently sampling in?
Would you expect to find the same organisms in each of the samples? Why or why not?
What might cause temperatures to be different in some parts of the ocean?
The Expendable Bathy Thermograph (XBT), consists of a long copper wire shot into the water down to 760 m. When kept in the water for 2 minutes, the cable registers a signal to a dedicated computer, giving temperature readings along the wire, which are immediately plotted onto a graph.
After looking at this graph, answer the following questions:
What temperature is measured at the surface?
At what depth below the surface does the temperature start to drop dramatically? How many degrees Celsius is the drop?
How many more degrees does the temperature drop, after the initial quick decrease? In how many meters does this gradual drop occur?
The LUTH survey is very interested in finding out whether jellyfish are found in the colder water (yellow and green), and how the distribution changes through the changing temperature of the water. Their questions surround what conditions would allow leatherbacks to travel along certain routes to and from the California coast, and how to identify areas of productivity so that commercial fishing can occur without harming protected species. Every jellyfish caught, either by the net trawls or the bongo net, and oceanographic data collected at the same time, provides more insight into where favorable conditions might exist.
Personal Log
Computer generated graph of XBT data from 8/28/08 at 18:15:30 (6:15 pm)
It is a very different lifestyle to have a profession that involves living for periods of time aboard a ship. Most of us land-based folks get up, wander through the house, eventually rounding up food and heading off to school or work. For me, after a day full of movement all over Chico Junior High’s large school grounds, I may go to the store, run errands and then return home to read the paper, clean house, and prepare dinner. My family will eventually arrive home and we will go over the day’s events. Here, the crew spends up to 23 days in this home, office and recreational area, away from their families. Two cooks prepare, serve buffet-style and clean up after all meals; serving at 7am, 11am and 5pm. During off hours, I have observed T.V. or movie watching, card games in action and some gym use.
Many people have iPods and in some areas music is broadcast. Personal computers with satellite internet capabilities are used, I assume, to communicate with friends and family on land. It is interesting that the ‘living room’, which is also the mess hall, may have 10 colleagues in it sometimes watching a show. I am used to cooking when I choose, or just making cookies if I want or heading outside to jog with my dog after school. No such activities like that happen here. Every one in the crew seems to get along, is extremely polite to each other, and is also very pleasant. It takes a very flexible person to enjoy living on a ship and a certainly love for the ocean. I am enjoying this very different way of living, and will also enjoy when I can run a few miles through the park again.
Questions for the Day
1. What part of your regular pattern would be easiest to give up, if you were to live aboard a ship? Which parts would be hardest?
Today will be the last installment of my meet the crew Monday. There are so many people that I would love to interview and share in this forum, but there is just not enough time in the day.
To start today we have MK1 Allan Whiting, and an amazing list of responsibilities he and his department have on board. MK stands for machinery technician, and is within the engineering division. Allan’s “A gang” is responsible for EVERYTHING that doesn’t move the ship, thus auxiliary equipment, refrigeration, cranes, hydraulics, water (can make up to 8000 gallons of drinking water a day), winches, therefor a lot of responsibility.
Working on refrigeration is only one part of his job!
I think I have previously talked about the scientists as being a web of different fields that drive a bigger picture of how this entire Bering Sea Shelf Ecosystem is changing and adapting with global climate differences. Well the vessel is not too dissimilar. Each person, each division is a vital link to the effective and smooth running of the ship, and if the vessel didn’t work, neither would the scientists.
Another responsibility for the “A gang” is the transfer of the starting 1.3 million gallons of fuel from storage tanks while we are underway. These “A Gang” members are the “FOWK’s” of the vessel; Fuel, Oil, Water, Kings,” and out technical gurus should any fuel casualty occur. So as you can tell a lot of responsibility with this department.
Where Allan is a lead with the “A Gang,” EM1 Hans Shaffer works with all things wires. Yes, he is one of our electrical specialists and if it generates, or uses power Hans is part of the team that is responsible for making sure it works. From all monitoring systems, to the propulsion and even lighting systems, without the electricians the ship wouldn’t move.
While working on the cyclo-converter I stood way back!
Hans also works with the cyclo-converters, and I must be honest, I know that they take 1444 volts at 60 hrtz and convert it to usable power, but that is about all. This technology is one that I have never studied. It is a shocking shame I am not more wired in on the intricacies of electricity. All I know is this electricity is directly proportional to the speed of the propellers and for a vessel, propeller speed is very important.
I usually do only two people on my meet the Crew Mondays, but today I would like to add two more individuals into the mix. There is camaraderie on this vessel that is amazing, it really is a family. And a family that exponentially doubles every thirty days or so with the advent of the scientists, yet still all are welcome. Smiles abound and I have not once felt unwelcome.
FN Angela Ford learning how to operate the winches with excellent guidance from MST1 Chuck Bartlett.
FN Angela Ford is one of those people who always has a smile, and who appears to always be learning new skills. Angela started out in the deck department, and then transferred to engineering (which I have heard is a bit difficult to do). Angela is also studying to get rated as an YN3, Yeoman third class. If you see Angela she is either studying, doing rounds with engineering or learning new components of the vessel. Yesterday while in Aft-Con Angela was supported by the MST crew and took a hand at running the winch to deploy and retrieve the CTD, it was great to watch. Under the guidance of MST1 Chuck Bartlett, Angela jumped right in, ready to learn something new. As an educator I was not only impressed with her desire to learn, but Chuck’s patience in teaching. The whole experience was an educational gift!
XO Commander Bateman teaching me how to make a delicious pie.
Unfortunately I could not stay too long, because I had my own educational experience waiting for me. The XO, Commander Dale Bateman was preparing to give me a lesson in making a Chocolate French Silk Pie. Ok, get that smile off your face, because, well, let me tell you, it was one of the tastiest lessons I have had in a while.
For those interested here is the recipe:
(multiply all ingredients times 3 for a standard pie crust)
½ cup butter
½ cup sugar
1 oz chocolate
1 egg
A smidgen of brown sugar
A splash of vanilla
To make this recipe, you first construct a pie crust, then in a mixer blend the butter and sugar. According to the XO, you can never blend too much. Add the chocolate and blend, add the eggs and blend some more. To be precise once all the ingredients are in the bowl blend for at least 15 more minutes, you want this no bake wonder to be frothy and smooth. Place in a refrigerator over night, and in two hours I will be able to get a piece of our masterpiece, and let you know how the finished product tastes.
Meet 1C Jennifer Peterson a senior at the Coast Guard Academy and MK3 Betty Brown, always smiling these two are.
I would like to add a special thanks to all those who participated in the webinar today. It was wonderful to hear your voices, and even better to share with you this amazing adventure of discovery I have been fortunate enough to experience, thank you!
Quote of the Day: Since water still flows, though we cut it with swords. And sorrow returns, though we drown it with wine, since the world in no way answers to our craving, I will loosen my hair tomorrow and take to a fishing boat. – Li Po
FOR MY STUDENTS: Are you prepared for school in two weeks?
Today is Sunday, and there is change in the air. For one, we have left the sun and re-entered fog. We have also started the 70 meter line back to Dutch Harbor. A large portion of the scientists have completed their work, and each station is now predominantly the CTD, calvet, and optics. With three days left, the tenor of the vessel is mellow, the frenzy of departure just a warm memory. Three full days and then on the morning of the 31st we arrive in Dutch Harbor. I am not ready to leave; there is still much to learn, and this goodbye will be bittersweet. Needless to say I need to get busy; there are words to be written.
U.S. Coast Guard Healy
I recently received a blog asking questions about the vessel and yes, I have been lax about sharing information about the HEALY and what it is like to live on a four hundred and twenty foot cruising scientific ice breaking mobile command center that floats!
Here are the facts: –Four decks are dedicated to berthing –The Main deck is predominantly the Galley forward, the Engine space a mid ship and the science labs aft. –There are three more decks below the main deck and the bridge above the 04 deck. It is approximately 70 feet from the bridge to the water line. –There is a helicopter hanger and flight deck.
The flight deck without a helicopter is perfect for social functions.
Each deck has shared open space all with TV, computers and other lounge type equipment
With the permission of the room mates here is a corner of a crew room, quite large.
There is a weight room far forward and a cardio room off the flight deck aft.
With a tv and all this equipment, anyone would be happy here!
And the best of all, there are mapped out distances on the weather deck for those who wish to jog (stairs are part of the experience) –Don’t forget the ships store, they even have latte!
Hi Andy, any new merchandise today? hehehe
There it is the bare bones of the HEALY, plenty of places to go, lots of things to do. Bingo on the mess deck every Saturday, ping pong in the hanger. Not a moment passes when I am not trying something new.
Everything on a sea going vessel is always strapped down.
Even as the science of our cruise slows down my days are full. There is much still to learn and experience. This afternoon I was able to assist the XO in making a chocolate silk pie…tomorrow we eat!
I am in heaven licking the beaters, and chocolate, perfect!
Nautical Expression: “Square Meal” originally when ships were close enough of shore to get fresh vegetables and fruits, healthy fare. The meals were served hot on square plates., thus a healthy most nutritious meal was a square meal.
FOR MY STUDENTS: Think up an entire square meal based only on items you can eat from the sea?
Saturday’s on board the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter HEALY are morale dinner nights. This is when different divisions within the crew prepare, cook and then clean up the evening meal. Well today was the scientists turn, and under the direction of Scott Hiller game on!Right after lunch was served and cleaned, it was our turn to invade the galley. Let’s see, hamburgers, dogs, salmon patties…to start. Potato salad, pasta salad, green salad, and baked beans, were just a few of the accessories. For dessert apple crisp (my contribution) with vanilla ice cream.
It was a lot of fun working with happy people in making other people happy!
When I say we invaded the galley, we really did. Kristen Blattner and I took charge of the crisp, we recruited Chris Moser and the pealing began. There are two types of crisp, the home version when the cook is too lazy to peel apples, and then the social version, naked apples. Once we had our large supply of pealed, cut apples I started the crisp, and having never made such a large quantity before was blown away by the volume of ingredients used.
Grilling the burgers
Once all the fixings were completed it was up to the flight deck. Now was the time for Pat and John to work on grilling the burgers. I managed to get a quick “calvet” in and then helped with the set up.
The clock struck five, crew and scientists arrived, dinner was served. It was a beautiful sunny day, calm seas, perfect picnic weather. No fog in sight.
With all sorts of tasty morsels, no one should have left hungry.
As far as morale evenings went, I think this one was pretty good. After dinner bingo was on, and then at eight o’clock a movie in the hanger. We might be on a four hundred twenty foot ice breaker, but that does not limit anyone in the pursuit of “good morale!”
With plates laden, the crew and scientists alike sit down for a glorious evening on board the HEALY.
Quote of the Day: It’s so bright out my face hurts. Rachel Pleuthner
FOR MY STUDENTS: Imagine it is the start of the day and you have worked all night, what would be your quote for the day?
As you might be able to tell, I am about a day behind in my journaling so I thought this would be a perfect time to really explain my “typical” day. One of the hardest parts of explaining a classic day is knowing when to start, because I go to bed when most people are getting up, soooo I will start at six o’clock in the morning and give you a glimpse into a typical twenty four hours.
I have always hated making the bed, now I can just close the curtains.
06:00 Between six and seven in the morning we will have completed our scientific sampling station so I go to bed. There is no fanfare, I collapse!
11:00 The alarm usually rings by eleven, I head down for my breakfast/lunch (today I had chicken nuggets and fries, I know I have a lot of running to catch up on)
Washing down the nets with salt water for any additional copepods.
12:00 Alexei finally trusts me so I take the day shift of deploying, retrieving and collecting the samples from the calvet. Yesterday I did approximately five stations, each 1.5 hours apart. Today I had the calvet stations and managed to squeeze in observing a casualty drill in the “bow thruster void.” This was a training drill, flooding in the compartment with an injury. After watching the drill I returned to the back deck for another calvet.
Notice the size of the hatch, not an easy rescue for an injured person.
17:00 Dinner, even if I am not hungry no way will I miss this social experience. After dinner Alexei returns and I get work on my journals, talking with scientists interviewing the crew, learning more about how this amazing vessel works. (might squeeze a trip to aloft con to visit with Gary)
20:00 A trip to the mess deck reveals a heated game of trivial pursuit, though my journal is incomplete I sit in for an hour.
22:00 My head is falling over, I need a nap, off to my room for a two hour refresher.
23:00 If interested, Mid-Rats are being offered, our fourth meal of the day.
00:00 Is that my alarm, yes, time to check when the MOCNESS will deploy, night time fishing. As most of Alexei’s team left a week ago I am actually needed, it feels great. While waiting to deploy I again try to work on my journal, and squeeze in a game of cribbage.
After the sampling tow and the work of processing samples begins.
03:30 We get the deploy signal, and start to fish with the MOCNESS. Remember we are fishing for micro-zooplankton, so no big fish at all. Some evenings the tow is late and we do not begin the station until after four.
06:00 If I am lucky back to bed. There is something to be said for not missing anything and it has been very important to me that I see everything. This is a once in a life time experience, to miss even a single moment would be a moment lost. Oh and I pretty much always skip breakfast at seven, I am unconscious by then. And showering, I will hold off on that story.
Just another wonderful sight from the HEALY.
Quote of the Day: Ocean: A body of water occupying two-thirds of a world made for man ~ who has no gills. Ambrose Bierce
FOR MY STUDENTS: It is summer, what has been your busiest day, why?
Today is “Meet the crew Monday,” and the two sections you will meet today are both fundamental to the smooth running of the HEALY. One, you never want to visit, the other you visit three to four times a day, so with that introduction meet the “Galley, with Tysin Alley” Due to the great quality of the food I usually make it to the galley at least two and in some instances for three meals a day. I am also up most nights and I do not think a day has gone by when I have NOT seen Tysin cooking. He is always there, baking pies, cleaning, boiling crab legs the man never stops.
Surf and Turf Friday, steak and crab legs. Mouth wateringly good.
When living aboard a floating ice breaker, kilometers from land out for 30 days you need to think of priorities, yes maps and scientific operations are important, but full bellies vital. No one wants to work when they are hungry. And to be honest I think many individuals are gaining weight, especially with four meals a day.
There is no shortage of protein on this vessel. And even after 21 days we still have fresh greens for salads.
There is not a time, 24 seven when food is not accessible. Bread and the fixings for sandwiches between meals, always cereal, and in the rare instance when zoning out after midnight a possible taste of something new Tysin has created. And yes, I am one of the few who have gained weight.
The food is hot, fast and readily available, no one goes away hungry.
Since we are now satisfied gastronomically, let’s talk about the Medical division, a place where no one really wants to end up, yet, the proficiency I saw today makes me feel very safe should an injury occur.
From fillings to feet and everything in between the training and skills these men have is beyond excellent.
Jason and Corey are always on, 24 – seven and constantly available should a medical emergency occur. They work with training teams practicing scenarios involving injuries and offer classes to the crew in topics such as CPR. These responsibilities are not only their duty, but a chosen profession to care for the welfare of everyone on board the HEALY.
Spotlessly clean with numerous testing equipment these men appear to be ready to handle any emergency.
Both men entered the U.S. Coast Guard when they were young, and in Corey’s case 17. Both men also entered as enlisted personnel and choose to go through “A School” as Health Services Technicians. Corey and Jason are also within the five year mark for retiring, with over 15 years of amazing service to the United States Coast Guard…
While talking with Jason I was amazed to follow his Coast Guard career. Here is a sample: Oregon→Alaska→Hawaii→Texas→Nebraska→New Jersey→Virginia→Bering Sea…
…and all this with the total support, financially, and physically, from the U.S. Coast Guard. Jason was also able to not only become a Physicians assistant, but also received a fellowship to do post graduate work at the Navy hospital in Portsmith, Virginia in orthopedics.
I find the career paths of both men fascinating and an excellent recruiting example for the Coast Guard. Two men with high school degrees and now look at them, pretty darn impressive! I am hoping my students take the hint!
Well they can’t work all the time!
Quote of the Day: “The art of medicine is in amusing a patient while nature affects the cure.” -Voltaire
FOR MY STUDENTS: Have you figured out yet how many career paths are available within the U.S. Coast Guard? How about in Science, have you figured out yet how many different types of scientists are aboard?
