Tag: stateroom

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Mandy Freeman: Life Between Sunrises and Humpbacks, May 24, 2026

Teacher Mandy Freeman stands on a pier in front of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. She wears a Lewisville Lions t-shirt and sunglasses. On the ship's hull, we can see the NOAA logo, the letters N O A A, and the ship's number, R 225. The sky is solid blue and cloudless.





NOAA Teacher at Sea

Mandy Freeman

Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

May 19 – May 29, 2026

Mission: Sea Scallop HabCam Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: May 24, 2026

Weather Data from 13 miles due East of Monomoy Point, Massachusetts
Latitude: 41 32.7776 ° N
Longitude: 069 42.0435 ° W
Wind Speed: 12.5 knots E
Air Temperature: 10.5 °C (50.9°F)

Science and Technology Log

The Habitat Mapping Camera System (HabCam) has been taking LOTS of pictures of the life near the sea floor. As part of the nightshift, my duties include annotating the HabCam images, driving the HabCam vehicle as Pilot, and serving as Co-Pilot.

Annotating images involves identifying and measuring scallops, as well as identifying other animals like round fish, flat fish, skates, crabs and whelks.

As Co-Pilot, there are several monitors with varying data from both the ship and the HabCam that must be watched in order to see obstacles on the path to avoid a collision. The depth of the HabCam is controlled by a “joy stick” that deploys and retracts the cable attached to the frame surrounding the HabCam. Ideally the camera should be kept within 2 meters from the ocean bottom.

As the Pilot, I must constantly monitor and adjust for the ever-changing distance from the seafloor to keep the HabCam from touching bottom. Some areas are easy to navigate, while others are rocky with “surprise” boulders.

BEFORE Annotations

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) places a strong emphasis on producing reliable, standardized research data, so I was required to watch a training video, pass a verbal quiz, and then take a 200 image test to ensure my annotations met those standards.

view of a desktop computer at a workstation. we cannot really interpret anything on the screen. a sea scallop shell rests on the table off to the side.
Training and a test before I could annotate images
screenshot of an underwater view of a scallop on the seafloor
Live Sea Scallop from training session
Mandy sits at a corner desk with an array of computer monitors and a control panel with a joystick. she faces the screens intently as she grips the joystick with her right hand
Mandy piloting the HabCam
Mandy stands on deck in front of the HabCam, a large apparatus housing underwater cameras. she wears an orange hard hat and orange life vest.
Mandy standing on deck with the HabCam

Drifter Buoys

Through NOAA’s Adopt a Drifter Program, I also had the opportunity to deploy two drifter buoys while aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. The mission of this program is “to connect classrooms around the world with NOAA data, and provide a real-life, interactive classroom experience to teach students about ocean science” (Adopt a Drifter Program). After decorating the buoys, we deployed both buoys from the starboard side of the ship at 5:21 AM and 5:22AM on Friday, May 22, 2026. As soon as I have a link to track them, I will post here!

If you or your school would like to adopt a drifter buoy, you can find out more information HERE.

close up of buoy portion of drifter showing a sticker that reads Lewisville High School, Richburg, SC and has a logo of a blue lion, the school's mascot
Lewisville High School side of buoy
close-up of the buoy portion of the drifter showing the orange outline of a cat's paw and the words "c/o 1998, 2020"
Clemson University side of buoy (Mandy is a 1998 & 2020 graduate of Clemson)
close up of the buoy portion of the drifter showing a sticker of the state of South Carolina with a moon and palm tree from the state flag, and a NOAA Teacher at Sea Program sticker
Representing Mandy’s home state of South Carolina and the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program
three people stand on the deck of ship, in front of the railing, at sunrise. Mandy is in the center. Andrew and Tommi to her left and right each hold up a heavy drifting buoy, which consists of the float, cable, and folded up drogue. All three wear hard hats and life vests.
Andrew Merlino (Survey Tech) and Tommi Truong (Able Seaman) assisted Mandy in the deployment of the buoys (Image courtesy of Kristen Jabanoski)
Mandy and Tommi, wearing hard hats and life vests, stand at the railing of the ship at sunrise and watch as the drifting buoy flies through the air toward the water. Tommi's arms are still extended from tossing. With low lighting, this photo is a little out of focus.
Deployment (Image courtesy of Zach Fyke, NOAA Watch Chief)
view of the drifting buoy in the water: a round blue and white float, attached to a cable, attached to a folded "drogue" or fabric tail. the cardboard packaging will dissolve and allow the drogue to extend. we can just barely see the Lewisville High School sticker.
Buoy In (Image courtesy of Zach Fyke, NOAA Watch Chief)
Mandy stands near the railing of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow wearing a hard hat and life vests. She gives a thumbs up and smiles at the camera. We can partially see another science team member standing behind Mandy.
Deployed! Image courtesy of Zach Fyke, NOAA Watch Chief

Personal Log

Ship living isn’t all that bad, but night shift has been an adjustment! I am in a stateroom with three other ladies; two of us are on night shift (11:30 PM – 11:30 AM) and two are on day shift (11:30 AM-11:30 PM). When you leave for watch, it is common courtesy to NOT return to the stateroom when your bunkmates are sleeping. *It’s a good idea to set your things out before going to bed so your essentials aren’t left behind!*

close up view of a single lower stateroom bunk. we can see a nightlight mounted to the wall, a curtain drawn aside, and the ladder up to the top bunk
view of lockers in the stateroom, with luggage and backpacks visible on the floor in front of them.
view of a small desk and chair tucked next a locker in the stateroom. above the desk is a window with blackout curtains.
view of four bunks, stacked in pairs, in the shared stateroom. each bunk has its own curtain. we can also see a sink and a locker.
view of the head (bathroom) with toilet, shower, sink

My stateroom: four berths, storage lockers, desk, head

What day is it? Not really sure…But I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the crew and learning how the HabCam collects images of sea life and how NOAA uses this data to inform the local fisheries. More about the crew later!

I’ve had the opportunity to see some amazing sunrises…

view of sunrise over the railing of NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. the water is calm and gray. an orange sun peeks over low gray clouds and illuminates parts of the horizon; it adds a golden tinge to the otherwise gray water
view over the railing at calm gray waters, cloudy gray skies, but a riotous streak of neon red-orange right at the horizon
view over the railing at very dark water, purple-black, and dark cloudy sky, as a line of bright pink-red appears just at the horizon

And today, we had the honor of watching humpback whales while SNOW fell!

  • a gray whale fluke pokes up above choppy gray waters
  • a humpback whale falls back toward the ocean's surface after breaching, its pectoral fins reaching toward the sky. the water is gray and choppy.
  • a humpback whale breaches above choppy gray water
  • a gray whale tail extends vertically above choppy gray waters

All humpback whale images courtesy of Zach Fyke.

Did You Know?

The Humpback whale can weigh up to about 40 tons, grow to around 60 feet (18 meters) long, and live roughly 80–90 years. They are known for their long migrations, complex songs, and acrobatic behaviors such as breaching and tail slapping. Humpback whales are found in oceans worldwide and feed mainly on small fish and krill (Humpback Whales – NOAA). They are also called the “singing whale,” because the male mating song can change from year to year and can last as long 30 minutes (Fun Facts About Wonderful Whales).

Although humpback whale populations are increasing, they remain on the endangered species list. Their greatest threats include entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris, vessel strikes, harassment from boats, ocean noise, and changing climate conditions (Humpback Overview – NOAA).

Did you know different animals (and fish) make specific sounds? Watch the following video to learn more about how NOAA Fisheries uses Passive Acoustic Monitoring to study not only the humpback whale, but many different types of sea life! Listening for Whales. Visit the NOAA Mammals: Sounds in the Ocean site to hear the differences between 32 mammals including the humpback whale and the minke whale!

Careers at Sea

portrait of a man in a fleece with a shoulder bag strap standing at a ship's railing at sunrise or sunset
Rhett Finley, NOAA Passive Acoustics Branch in the Northeast
(Credit Rhett Finley)

Meet Rhett Finley, a fieldwork team lead from the NOAA Passive Acoustics Branch in the Northeast. Rhett grew up in Tulsa, OK and developed a passion for science at just 6 or 7 years old. By the age of ten, he already knew he wanted to become a marine biologist, inspired by the nature documentaries he watched growing up. He later attended Texas A&M University at Galveston, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology.

When I asked Rhett how he became drawn to the field of bioacoustics, he said “it was because of its versatility and noninvasive nature and the ability to integrate it with other scientific disciplines, like genetics. This approach is an effective means of collecting detailed data on threatened species especially in remote or difficult to access areas and therefore can contribute to well-informed conservation management efforts for those species and their respective habitats.”

His job with the NOAA Fisheries Passive Acoustics Branch involves:
– placing underwater microphones (hydrophones) in designated areas, such as wind farm areas and marine sanctuaries
– assists with analyzing and interpreting acoustic data, which is visualized in the form of spectrograms (picture below).

His current focus is on the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). More information on this whale found here. The goal of this NOAA division is to “use passive acoustic technologies to study the behavior and movements of marine animals, their contribution to the ocean soundscape, and how they are affected by human-made sounds” (Passive Acoustic Research in the Northeast)

a graph showing frequency (Hz) v time (m:ss). sounds show up as yellow or green markings against a darker purple background. annotations point out a humpback whale song (markings in a patter that extend the full length of the x-axis); North Atlantic right whale upcalls (a few vertical markings toward the left side of the x axis) and sei whale downsweep doublet (two curved downward markings toward the right side of the x-axis.) in the low frequency values there are a lot of scattered green markings from ship noise.
Spectrogram showing unique calls by multiple species including humpback whale song, North Atlantic right whale upcalls, and a sei whale downsweep doublet with low-frequency ship noise overlapping.
Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Interested in this type of career? NOAA offers internships to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as high school students! Check out the opportunities and scholarships available HERE!

For more information and great pictures, check out the NOAA Fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic Facebook page! Or their Instagram page.

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Cheryl Milliken: We’re Steaming across the Gulf, July 26, 2025

view of NOAA Ship Oregon II in port in the evening. We can see the NOAA logo, the letters N O A A, and part of the hull number (R332)

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Cheryl Milliken

Aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II

July 26 – August 10, 2025

Mission: Bottom Longline Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Atlantic Coast of Florida

Date: July 26, 2025

Weather Data from the Bridge

Latitude: 29° 32.4’ N

Longitude: 087° 53.2’ W

Wind speed: 8 knots (peak 36 knots)

Wave height: 3’ swell (wind waves 1-2’)

Air temp.: 32.6° C

Sky: Cumulus and cirrus clouds, ⅜ cloud coverage

Science and Technology Log

Although we are going to spend a couple of days steaming before we reach our sampling stations on the Atlantic (east) side of Florida, crew and staff having been gearing up to prepare for the work ahead. 

Personal Log

After a stormy start that delayed our departure by a day, I’ve officially embarked on my journey aboard NOAA Ship Oregon II. Though the thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday scrambled flight plans, the extra day in Pascagoula turned out to be a gift — a chance to explore this small but vibrant coastal city and ease into ship life.

I moved into my stateroom Thursday morning, a cozy space shared with Lila Xenakis, a grad student from Florida Tech researching sharks. The room is compact but comfortable, featuring a bunk bed, a personal sink, and a mini-split A/C unit that’s been a lifesaver in Mississippi’s sweltering July heat. Although Lila and I are on different watch shifts (she will work from midnight until noon, while I will work from noon until midnight), we had a great time getting to know each other before departure.

view of wooden bunks with high sides and individual blackout curtains; we can see chairs and the edge of a sink around the corner
metal storage cabinets
metal storage cabinets; two of the cabinets are labeled with images of life vests and survival suits

Photos, L to R: Bunk bed and sink viewed from your door; our storage cabinets behind the door; cabinet in our room with emergency gear and a foldout desk.

Lila and I walked 6 miles (three each way) to see the beach. Top 5 things we saw there:

5.  Buffett Bridge – apparently, Jimmy Buffett lived here as a child, so they named this bridge in his honor. You can also see his house, but it was not along our route.

 4. The trains and bridge – many trains pass through Pascagoula, and they need to cross the Pascagoula River. The CSX Transportation railroad drawbridge, a bascule bridge (according to my research), is operated by a bridge tender in Mobile, AL. It was eye-opening to see such long trains coming through this city (I counted 44 cars on one train Thursday evening) and to think about all the industry going on in the southern states.

cement barrier painted with a mural of a beach scene and the words "Buffett Bridge;" there is grass beyond the cement barrier. We also see a small sign on a post that reads: Buffett Bridge, In Honor of Jimmy Buffett, Singer, Songwriter, Author.
view from a distance as a train crosses over the railroad drawbridge. the sky is blue with white clouds.
a fishing vessel approaches an open drawbridge

Photos, L to R: Buffett Bridge along Pascagoula coast; train coming over Pascagoula River; pogie boat passing under drawbridge.

3. Downtown Pascagoula – full of local color, murals, and culinary gems like “Jack’s by the Tracks,” where I chose shrimp and grits one night and mahi mahi tacos the next. The sushi might be the local favorite, but I have no regrets. We spent some time with other crew members, who have been very helpful and kind in welcoming us aboard.

2. Coastal nature – we walked past towering Southern Magnolias and graceful Coastal Live Oaks, plants that rarely survive back home on Cape Cod. The beach itself, rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina (2005) and restored post–Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010), stands as a testament to the Gulf’s resilience and the hard work of conservation teams.

view from underneath of large moss-covered branches on sprawling live oak
close-up view of a large white magnolia flower
view down a wide sandy beach

Photos, L to R: live oak on our route; magnolia in bloom; beach.

1. NOAA Ship Oregon II – our home for the next couple of weeks! Built in 1967, this vessel has aged gracefully, with modern updates and full air conditioning throughout. Getting around her isn’t always straightforward (still learning how to get from the stern to the flying bridge), but I’m eager to call her home as we head into the Gulf.

NOAA Ship Oregon II at port in Pascagoula. It's high tide, so we can clearly see the NOAA logo, the letters N O A A, and the hull number R332 painted on the hull. the sky is bright blue with white clouds.
close-up view of a rusted metal plaque that reads: R.V. Oregon II. Designed by R. H. Macy for U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Commercial Fisheries built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp. A Division of Litton Industries. Pascagoula, Mississippi, 1967.
view over the bow of NOAA Ship Oregon II from the flying bridge as it makes its way out of the port of Pascagoula. The water is calm and the sky is bright blue with a few fluffy clouds.

Photos, Clockwise from left: NOAA Ship Oregon II docked in Pascagoula; plaque on Oregon II acknowledging its origin at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS; view of forward deck from above.

Special thanks to my friend, Laura, for showing me around Ocean Springs, MS, on Thursday! We had a great time exploring such a charming place.

Did You Know?

The Gulf is home to more than 1,443 finfish species, 51 shark species, and at least 49 species of rays and skates. Source: sign hanging in the hallway of NOAA Fisheries building in Pascagoula, MS.

Animals Seen Today:

  • Many birds in port and on the way out to the middle of the Gulf:
    • Brown pelicans – they sit on every channel marker out of Pascagoula
    • Laughing gulls 
    • Black skimmer – striking black and white with distinct orange and black bill
    • Sandwich terns – identified by yellow-tipped bills like mustard smears
  • Bottlenose dolphins! (Tursiops truncatus) – right next to NOAA Ship Oregon II in the Pascagoula River!

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Tonya Prentice: Sailing into New Horizons, August 26, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Tonya Prentice
Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow
August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey 

Geographic Area of Cruise:  Northwest Atlantic Ocean

Date: September 20, 2024

Weather Data from Bass Harbor, Maine
Latitude: 44.253636º  N  
Longitude: 68.34944º W
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Air Temperature: 15° Celsius (59° F)


Science and Technology Log

Tremont Consolidated School’s Drifter Buoys: Exploring Ocean Data in Real-Time!

I was so thrilled to learn that Tremont Consolidated School (TCS) had been given two drifter buoys, allowing our students to participate in a cutting-edge, real-world scientific endeavor. Through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, our students will track these buoys as they gather crucial data from the ocean. This is a hands-on, dynamic opportunity that infuses real-time ocean observing system data into our science curriculum! NOAA Adopt a Drifter Program

Track Tremont Consolidated School’s drifting buoys here:
https://adp.noaa.gov/trackadrifter/tremont-consolidated-school

a screenshot from the webpage for Tremont Consolidated School's drifting buoy. It lists the adoption date (August 9, 2024) and the ID number (WMO #5301664.) It displays the Drifter ID card, with info on where it was deployed, and shows a graph of temperature readings over time, and a small map of the trajectory.
View of the tracking webpage for Drifter #1

What’s a Drifting Buoy? A drifting buoy, also called a drifter, is a floating data collection device that travels with ocean currents. These drifters are equipped to record various ocean parameters such as sea surface temperature, salinity, and wave height, all while transmitting this data hourly via satellite. The buoys provide valuable insights into oceanic conditions that impact weather forecasts, climate models, and even search and rescue operations.

Why Deploy One? The data collected by drifters offers key information that supports a wide range of scientific and practical applications. This data helps scientists understand how the ocean circulates, predict the movement of marine debris or oil spills, and make better weather predictions. By tracking our adopted drifters, TCS students will gain firsthand experience in how this scientific data is used to analyze the ocean and its far-reaching impacts.

Bringing Science to Life for TCS Students At TCS, students in our science classes will be tracking and recording the drifter buoys’ locations and analyzing the data collected. They will plot coordinates on maps, explore ocean currents, and make connections between the data they collect and global environmental patterns. This interactive project brings abstract science concepts into a tangible experience, encouraging inquiry, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship.

Tonya, wearing bright orange overalls, a life vests, and a hard hat, poses for a photo with the drifting buoy. in this view we mostly see the drogue (folded up tail.) it's a beautiful day with bright blue skies and sparking ocean in the distance.
Me deploying the first drifter buoy.
close up view of the buoy: a round blue ball, with stickers reading TREMONT CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
Drifter Buoy #1
In front of the ship's railing, Tanya, left, looks down at the drogue (folded tail of the drifter) while David, right, holds the buoy section. They both wear life vests. It's a beautiful day, with blue skies and sparkling ocean.
David Richardson (right), NOAA Research Fishery Biologist, and me (left) deploying drifter buoy #2.
another view of the buoy portion of the drifter, which looks like a bright blue (hard plastic) ball. On this side we see a sticker
Drifter Buoy #2
Tanya, wearing orange overalls, a life vest, and her Teacher at Sea hat, lifts the buoy portion of the drifter up toward the rail. It looks heavy. Chris, at right, grips the folded drogue in his left and leans down to pick up cable on the deck with his right hand.
Chris Melrose (right), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (left) deploying drifter buoy #2.
Tonya, wearing orange overalls, a life vest, and her Teacher at Sea hat, stands at the railing facing the ocean. She holds the buoy portion of the drifter over the railing, preparing to deploy. Chris stands to her right with the folded drogue in his hands, ready to toss this in afterward.
Chris Melrose (right), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (left) deploying drifter buoy #2.

Personal Log

Sailing into New Horizons: A Farewell as a NOAA Teacher at Sea

As I sit here reflecting on my time aboard the NOAA research vessel, it’s hard to believe this chapter has come to an end. When I first applied to the NOAA Teacher at Sea program, I knew I would embark on a unique adventure, but I could never have imagined the profound impact this journey would have on me, both as an educator and as a person.

The early mornings watching the sunrise over the open ocean, the long hours of data collection, and the camaraderie of working alongside scientists and crew members—each moment has left an indelible mark. One of the highlights was observing the way oceanographic data is collected in real-time. Deploying CTDs, collecting plankton samples, and witnessing firsthand the vastness of our oceans reinforced the importance of understanding and protecting these ecosystems.

The lessons I’ve learned during this voyage are invaluable. I can’t wait to bring the excitement of real-world science into my classroom, showing my students that science isn’t just something they read about—it’s something they can experience. From tracking ocean currents to analyzing marine species, my students will have the opportunity to become oceanographers themselves, right in the classroom. I know the drifter buoy project, in particular, will captivate their imaginations.

This journey has rekindled my passion for inquiry-based learning and has reminded me that we, as educators, are lifelong learners. I’ve also come to understand the deep responsibility we have to educate the next generation about the importance of our oceans and the need for sustainable practices.

Of course, this experience would not have been possible without the incredible support of NOAA and the crew of the research vessel. Thank you to the scientists who patiently answered my endless questions and to the crew members who made me feel like part of the team. Your dedication to ocean science is inspiring.

As I sail back toward the shores of Maine, I’m filled with excitement for what lies ahead. I look forward to integrating what I’ve learned into my 7th and 8th-grade curriculum, empowering my students to become stewards of the environment. I also hope to encourage more teachers to take part in this incredible program.

Though this chapter is ending, I know it’s just the beginning of a deeper connection with the ocean and its mysteries. As Jacques Cousteau once said, “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” And I, for one, am happily caught in that net.

Group photo on the aft deck of the ship. The A frame towers in the background. There are fifteen people in this photo. Tanya is in the center of the front row, wearing her Teacher at Sea shirt and hat.
The Henry B. Bigelow Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey Crew!

.

Four people stand on the bridge of the ship. In the foreground, Tanya, wearing her Teacher at Sea hat, stands near the control panel and smiles for the photo, while Ensign Remigio stands nearby, looking down. Two other NOAA Corps officers stand at a different control panel in the background but face the camera.
ENS Danielle Remigio (left) teaching me how to drive the ship.
Tanya, wearing orange overalls and a life vest over her Teacher at Sea t-shirt, kneels on one knee near the end of the bongo net. She holds a hose nozzle in her right hand and sprays the net into a bucket. She looks up to smile for the camera.
Me spraying down the Bongo Nets.
Out on deck, Tanya wears a large, bright orange survival suit zipped up over her mouth and nose. She holds her hands out in a fun pose for the camera. In the background we see two other crewmembers working to don theirs.
Me trying on my cold water immersion suit.

In the computer lab, Chris and Tonya sit at a desk, both looking at the same computer screen. Tonya extends her right arm to write on a datasheet attached to a clipboard, while her left, resting below, holds an intercom microphone.
Chris Melrose (back), NOAA Research Oceanographer, and me (front) monitoring the CTD.
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Tonya Prentice: Getting Ready, August 11, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Tonya Prentice

Aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow

August 8 – August 24, 2024

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey 

Geographic Area of Cruise: Northeast Atlantic Ocean

Date: August 11, 2024

Weather Data from Newport, RI
Latitude: 41.53036 º  N   
Longitude: 71.31850º W
Wind Speed: SSW at 8 mph
Air Temperature: 25° Celsius (77° F)


Science and Technology Log

Although our mission has been delayed by few days, there is still plenty of work to be done on board the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.  The deck crew and engineering department have been working hard to prepare for our departure tomorrow morning.

Today, I had the opportunity to tag along with Kate and Patrick, two of our engineers, to learn more about the pre-check work they were completing.  “On board ship, it is very important to keep the updated record of the quantity of liquids (in all forms) present in various tanks.” (Marine in Sight) 

As part of the pre-check, Kate and Patrick recorded the readings from sensors, then manually checked the level of each fuel, bilge, and ballast water tank in a process known as “sounding” the tanks. They applied Kolor Kut paste to sound tape in the measurement range reported by the sensors and lowered the tape to the bottom of the tank. Upon retrieval, the paste changes color—from light pink to red for fuel and from brown to red for water—indicating the levels.

Kate and Patrick compared these manual measurements with the sensor readings to ensure the sensors were accurately reporting the levels. Then they used a table to convert the measurements to the number of barrels. Soundings are crucial for identifying leakages or losses of fuel, maintaining the ship’s stability, and ensuring that sufficient fuel and water are aboard for the voyage.

two people kneel on the deck of the ship over an open (uncapped) hole. Kate, left, holds a measuring tape reel and turns the crank. Patrick, right, guides the end of the measuring tape into the reel, gripping it with a rag. An open can of pink glue sits nearby.
Kate (left) and Patrick (right) checking the fuel levels.
Two people stand in the engine room. Patrick, right, holds the tape measure reel. Kate, left, guides the end of the tape measure toward something on the wall.
Kate (left) and Patrick (right) checking the ballast levels.
photo of a printed data sheet attached to a clipboard. It's labeled Weekly Tank and Void Soundings. It has sections for Ballast, Void, Fuel Storage, Day Tanks. Some measurements have been filled in by hand.
Weekly Tank and Void Sounding Data
close up view of a measuring tape that has been painted pink with gauging glue. The lower portion, which has been dipped into the fuel tank, is a darker pink color.
Dark pink color marks the fuel level on the tape measure.
close up view of a hand gripping a container of Kolor Kut Gasoline Gauging Paste.
Kolor Kut Gasoline Finding Paste
view of tools on the floor around an uncapped hole to the fuel tank.
Sounding Tape Measure (top) and wrench used to open fuel cap.

Personal Log

Meet My Roommates! There are so many amazing people aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow for this mission.  I would like to introduce you to my roommates who were kind enough to let me interview them for my blog and share information about their science career paths.

Karen stands in a field holding a Canada goose under her right arm. She wears a long sleeve shirt, black gloves, and a baseball cap.
Karen Beatty (Animals were handled in accordance with state and federal permits.)
Emma stands one what is probably a boat in a marsh and holds up a snake for a photo. She wears orange fish gloves and a green high visibility vest.
Emma Venarde (Animals were handled in accordance with state and federal permits.)

What is your science degree, and how did you become interested in this field?

Emma Venarde recently graduated from Brown University with a double degree in Environmental Science, focused on Environmental Justice, and Music. Emma has always had a love for nature and became passionate about climate change as a child. She joined the Youth Climate Program and realized that she wanted to better understand human impact and discover ways to help humans and other animals and how they are affected by climate change.

Karen Beatty earned her bachelor’s degree in Zoology from Michigan State University, worked as an environmental consultant for five years, and recently graduated with a master’s in Ecology from Penn State University. Initially, Karen was interested in becoming a veterinarian, but she learned that she preferred working with exotic animals and focusing on their behavioral health. This led her to an interest in becoming a zookeeper but eventually transitioned to wildlife biology. For her master’s, Karen aimed to deepen her quantitative knowledge and understanding of anthropogenic disturbances.

What motivated you to become a NOAA at-sea volunteer?

Last summer, Emma participated in the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) and decided to apply for another internship opportunity through NOAA student opportunities. She sought more experience in fieldwork, particularly in collecting data and understanding how it’s used for ocean energy. This unique experience aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow is something she wouldn’t typically get, and she’s thrilled to be part of it.

Karen joined this mission as a fellow of the Knauss Fellowship. She believes this fellowship will not only enhance her fieldwork experience, especially in data collection and analysis but will also help her achieve a federal career aligned with conservation and policy development.

What advice would you give my students who are interested in a science career?

Emma: We need more people who are not just good at understanding science but are also able to communicate, collaborate, and think critically.

Karen: Be well-rounded! Interdisciplinary learning is crucial. Having a solid understanding of and skills in math, communication, policy, and regulations is essential to being a successful scientist.

This is our stateroom, also known as a cabin, that we will be sharing for the next two weeks. It’s a cozy space designed for practicality, consisting of four bunks, a small office area, lockers for our personal belongings, and a bathroom with a shower. While the quarters are tight, it’s amazing how efficiently everything is arranged to make life at sea as comfortable as possible. We’ve settled in nicely, and this space will be our little home away from home as we embark on this exciting mission aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

view of lockers in stateroom; we can see survival suits and life preservers stacked on top
Lockers
view of a small desk, with a computer monitor, next to a locker.
Office Space
view of shower, toilet, sink.
Bathroom and shower
four bunks, stacked two high, along a single wall. each bunk has a curtain. there is a metal ladder that leads to each upper bunk, and storage underneath each lower bunk.
Our bunks!

Did You Know?

Scup, also known as porgy, “can live a relatively long time, up to about 20 years.” (NOAA Fisheries)

Scup enjoying a snack alongside the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

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Linda Kurtz: Reflections from Fairweather, September 7, 2019

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Linda Kurtz

Aboard NOAA Ship Fairweather

August 12-23, 2019


Mission: Cascadia Mapping Project

Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Northwest (Off the coast of California)

Date: 9/7/2019

Weather Data from Marietta, GA:

Latitude: 33.963900
Longitude:  -84.492260
Sky Conditions:  Clear
Present Weather:  Hot
Visibility: 9 miles
Windspeed: Less than 1 knot
Temperature:  Record high 97 degrees Fahrenheit

It’s been weeks since I disembarked in Newport, Oregon and left Fairweather behind. I still feel like I’m a part of the crew since I was welcomed so seamlessly into any job I tried to learn while Teacher at Sea. However, the crew is still working away as I continue to share my experiences with my students in Marietta, Georgia.

As I have been working on lessons for my classroom, I keep finding fun facts and information about ship life that I didn’t share in my previous posts. So, here is my final post and some of my most frequent questions by students answered:

Question 1: Where did you sleep?

I slept in a berth, I had a comfortable bed, drawers, a locker, and a sink. There was a TV too, which I never watched since a) I like to read more than watch TV and b) the ship would rock me to sleep so fast I could never stay up too long at bedtime!

  • bunk
    Bunk
  • sink
    Sink
  • door
    Door
My room aboard Fairweather


Question 2: What was the weather like when you were at sea?

  • Sunny!
  • Cloudy and foggy
  • Clear at sunset
  • Windy days!
  • Windy nights!
  • Really foggy some nights!
Some days (and nights) so foggy that they had to use the fog horn for safety!


Question 3: What animals did you see?

I highlighted animals in all of my posts and linked sites to learn more, go check it out! There is one animal I didn’t include in my posts that I would like to share with you! The first is the California Sea Lion found in the Newport harbor. You could hear them from across the harbor so I had to go check them out!

See the video below:

California Sea Lions


Question 4: What happens next with the hydrographic survey work?

This is one of my favorite questions from students! It shows how much you have learned about this very important scientific work and are thinking about what is next. The hydrographic survey maps are now in post processing, where the survey technicians, Sam, Bekah, Joe, and Michelle are working hard to make sure the data is correct. I shared in a previous hydrographic survey blog an example of Fairweather’s hydrographic survey maps, I also checked in with the USGS scientists James Conrad and Peter Dartnell to see what they were doing with their research and they shared some information that will help answer this question.

From Peter Dartnell, USGS research scientist: “Here are a few maps of the bathymetry data we just collected including the area off Coos Bay, off Eureka, and a close-up view of the mud volcano. The map off Eureka includes data we collected last year. I thought it would be best to show the entire Trinidad Canyon.”

  • bathymetry 1
  • bathymetry 2

From James Conrad USGS research geologist: “Here is an image of a ridge that we mapped on the cruise. The yellow dots are locations of methane bubble plumes that mark seafloor seeps. In the next few weeks, another NOAA ship, the Lasker, is planning to lower a Remotely Operated Vehicle to the seafloor here to see what kinds of critters live around these seeps. Methane seeps are known to have unique and unusual biologic communities associated with them. For scale, the ridge is about 8 miles long.”

underwater ridge
Bathymetry map showing ridge

So, even though the research cruise is over, the research and follow up missions resulting from the research are ongoing and evolving every day.


Question 5: Would you go back if you could be a Teacher at Sea again?

YES! There is still so much to learn. I want to continue my own learning, but most importantly, lead my students to get excited about the important scientific research while keeping the mission of the NOAA close to their hearts: “To understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. Dedicated to the understanding and stewardship of the environment.“

Fair winds and following seas Fairweather, I will treasure this experience always.