Survey Technician – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

June 17, 2026June 18, 2026

Amber LaMonte: Ctrl + Alt + Ecosystems to Equipment: A Side-Quest for the Techies, June 8, 2026

Amber posing inside a ship's bridge, with four NOAA Corps officers wearing dark blue uniforms. Amber is wearing her blue Teacher at Sea t-shirt. They are smiling, with windows showing a view of the sea in the background. — An honor to take a photo with (from left to right) XO Pestone, Lt Urquhart, Lt Zoller and CO Sinquefield

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Amber LaMonte

May 31 – June 10, 2026

Mission: Northeast Ecosystem Monitoring Survey (EcoMon)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Gulf of Maine
Date: June 8, 2026

Data from the Bridge
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 11:44 PM
Latitude: 043° 33.456’ N
Longitude: 070° 38.739’ W
Doppler Wind Speed: 17.4 knots (kt)
True Wind Speed: 14.06 knots (kt)
Wave Height: 5’
Air Temperature: 9.44°C/49°F
Wet Bulb Temperature: 7.9°C/46.2°F
Bottom Depth: 168 m
Sky: Clear

For this post, I tried to step aside from my biologist bias (it was an insightful challenge) and highlight the technical aspects of running an ecosystem science operation. I have provided numerous links to illustrate the path to various careers and future research being conducted with NOAA.

A close-up view of the white side of a blue and white buoy with the text 'Class of 2028' written in black marker. — *Here comes 2028*

Last Buoy

Deploying the last buoy with my Shipmate Ave Cieplinski

Global drifter buoy #3, a.k.a. LaMonster, for those of the class of 2028 taking my course and ready to learn all about our planet and ocean! We are now in the Gulf of Maine after making our way through Georges Bank, where this drifter was deployed at 40°14.560’N 067°39.008’W on the southernmost station of this region.

The Gulf of Maine is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Beneath the surface, Georges Bank helps shape currents and separates the Gulf from the Atlantic south of Cape Cod. Just beyond this boundary, the cold Labrador Current and warm Gulf Stream meet. Inside the Gulf, coastal geography redirects these waters, forming a gyre that pushes cold water southward.

Map illustrating the general circulation patterns in the Gulf of Maine during the stratified season, with bathymetric contours marking areas of different depth. Blue arrows depict shallower currents occurring at less than 75 meters deep while red lines depict deeper currents occurring more than 150 meters deep. — Currents Map of the Gulf of Maine (Source: WHOI)

What I find most intriguing is how this balance is shifting; the Labrador Current now carries more freshwater from melting ice, while the Gulf Stream is moving north. These changes matter; many marine species depend on specific temperature ranges, so even small shifts in currents can reshape entire ecosystems. I chose to deploy at this location so that my students will hopefully see the data pattern showing how quickly the drifter moves into the Gulf Stream.

Science and Technology Log

Illustration of a data-collecting ocean drifter equipped with an antenna, surface float, sensors for measuring sea surface temperature, and a subsurface drogue, transmitting information via satellite. — Components of a Drifter
(Source: NOAA Global Drifter Program)

A global drifting buoy, or drifter, is an instrument designed to measure sea surface temperature along with variables such as atmospheric pressure, wind, wave height, and salinity. As these buoys move naturally with ocean currents, onboard sensors collect data and transmit it to satellites, allowing scientists to track their positions over time and map ocean circulation patterns. These drifters provide essential data to validate satellite data and improve forecasts. A critical feature of each drifter is its drogue, or sea anchor, which extends about 20 meters (65 feet) below the surface. Connected by a long tether, the drogue ensures the drifter follows ocean currents rather than being pushed by wind: without it, the instrument would drift like a lightweight object at the surface.

Through our participation in the Adopt a Drifter program, this technology becomes tangible for students. They can follow real drifters and analyze authentic data in near real time; in this way, they’re actively engaging with live information and thinking like scientists as they interpret it. I cannot wait for students to discover the origin story next year! At the time of writing this post, the LaMonster had made its way across a degree of longitude in only a few days.

*Screenshot from the interactive map of the Global Drifter Program (GDP) Array*

The data generated by these drifters are compiled into a comprehensive dataset providing hourly estimates of sea surface temperature and ocean currents. The buoys last around 400 days but scientists are already trying to improve the power capability, read here. Managed and quality-controlled by NOAA’s Drifter Data Assembly Center (DAC) at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), the dataset ensures accuracy and consistency. Rich metadata, such as deployment details, drogue status, drifter type, and identification information, further supports meaningful analysis and real-world scientific investigation such as used here.

Methodology & Careers

(1) Nick Vang, Survey Tech, in front of the continuous flow water system. (2) Computer view of the multi-beam sonar data. (3) Styrofoam cup before and after placement, along with the CTD at depths to illustrate the pressure. (4) Single beam sonar output viewed as the CTD and bongos are deployed. (5) Nick demonstrates the software needed to run and interpret the numerous radars on board.

Meet Nick Vang, a survey tech with NOAA currently serving as an augmenter, a role in which he not only runs operations in the acoustics lab but also coordinates with the science team, deck crew and bridge to ensure the execution of the mission runs smoothly. I just love that title “augmenter” and have decided to use it next in lieu of “teacher” ( I’m kind of joking, but not really; I probably will work it in at some point). This is because we know that, as teachers, we are not just running operations in one particular room on one particular day, but rather focusing on the bigger picture of the whole school year as our mission.

In the acoustics lab, the EM2040 is a high-resolution scientific multibeam sonar system used to collect detailed data from both the water column and the ocean floor. In simple terms, the system works by sending out a cone-shaped sound wave, often called a “ping”, toward the seafloor down to 300 meters. This sound reflects off the ocean bottom and returns to the ship, allowing onboard computers to calculate the distance traveled. From this information, a map of the seafloor begins to take shape.

The survey tech team refines the raw data by correcting factors such as tides, sound speed and vessel offset, ensuring the measurements align accurately. The techs go through a training program when hired that is specific to using the software used by NOAA ships. One area in which software has advanced is its ability to read any “noise” that is not the actual bottom and compute the depth accurately. The processed data is then transformed into a bathymetric model, a detailed representation of the seafloor, which is used to precisely determine optimal station locations.

conical white and red equipment in the engine room

a cylindrical piece of equipment with pipes and control panels attached

a folded up fire hose mounted on a hook beneath the words "Fire Sta No. 4"

A man wearing industrial ear protection gear on his head - above his ears - stands at a long control panel of screens, buttons, and lights, and uses his hands to illustrate a point about something

(1) The rotary vane hydraulic steering gear that controls the bow thruster. (2) Pumps for the RO (Reverse Osmosis) system. (3) An emergency fire station. (4) Chief Engineer Adam Butters leading the tour. (5) One of 4 diesel engines aboard NOAA Ship Pisces.

The Pisces operates as a diesel-electric vessel, similar in concept to a hybrid car, thereby reducing emissions and supporting NOAA’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The vessel is also equipped with a bow thruster, which is especially useful when holding position. This system works with the dynamic positioning system to keep Pisces precisely in place, counteracting currents and eliminating drift.

We took a tour of the engine room and Chief Engineer Adam Butters guided us through some of the key systems that keep the ship running. The engines and equipment were impressive, and it was clear that the engineering team put in a lot of work to make our mission possible. The engine room was very loud and hot; we wore earplugs for protection, but I could not hear myself think. We started at the water maker unit, which uses reverse osmosis (RO), which turns ocean water into fresh water for drinking, cooking and bathing. Fun fact: this removes all the minerals from the water, so I added an electrolyte mix to my water bottle each day.

Next, he showed us the systems that support the lab. He pointed out the refrigeration system that keeps chlorophyll samples frozen at -80°C. It was interesting to see the equipment that powers everything behind the scenes. The ship’s electrical system is also complex, producing 600 volts of electricity, which is stepped down to power large machines and even further for everyday outlets like the ones in our rooms. In addition, we saw a centrifuge that cleans diesel fuel by separating impurities and water using specific gravity.

a NOAA Corps officer stands on the bridge, facing to the left of the photo. he holds a sextant up to his eyes with his right hand and uses his left hand to adjust the settings.

a NOAA Corps officer looks on as Amber drives the ship, each hand on a different lever

A NOAA Corps officer in a blue uniform looks down at a control panel on the bridge. we can see calm blue ocean through the windows in the background.

two NOAA Corps Officers stand on the far side of the bridge

two NOAA Corps officers stand on the bridge looking down at a display screen

(1 ) CO demonstrates use of a sextant. (2) ENS Keene-Connole supervising. (3) CO supervising. (4) Mrs. LaMonte, XO Pestone, Lt Urquhart, CO Sinquefield and Lt Zoller. (5) Lt Zoller. (6) Original Rolls-Royce equipment. (7) CO Sinquefield and Lt Zoller explaining sample station positioning

For me, it was an honor to chat with the commissioned NOAA officers aboard for this survey. My visit to the Bridge included a demonstration of the sextant lesson CO plans to teach as the ship makes its next sail to the Canary Islands, instructions for some of the basics in driving the ship and an explanation of how to read the ship’s navigational screen during sample station deployments.

I’ve learned that the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services and its officers play a key role in carrying out NOAA’s mission. With a relatively small group, about 360 officers, they support a wide range of scientific and operational programs both at sea and in the air.

While some officers earn a 4-year STEM-based degree, others attend maritime colleges that offer personalized education with career-ready placements. After being selected, officer candidates train at the NOAA Corps Training Center at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy before being commissioned as ensigns. From there, many begin their careers at sea, with about 80 percent of officers serving aboard NOAA ships at some point.

What stood out to me most is the variety in their careers. Officers rotate between sea, aviation, and land assignments every few years, building experience in different roles while supporting NOAA’s work from multiple angles.

Personal Log

First Light Timelapse

I continue to be absolutely amazed at the first light of each day. Each morning, I determine the travel orientation of this ship and which deck, bow or stern, port or starboard, I should visit for the best view.

A breakfast plate featuring pancakes topped with maple syrup, crispy bacon, quinoa, and scrambled eggs, with a glass of orange juice and a bottle of organic maple syrup in the background. — A very nutritious breakfast

And the food in the galley continues to be excellent, I had a chance to chat with both cooks (Mike x2) and they both absolutely are very appreciated by the crew. Mealtimes on the ship are special, as nearly everyone stops their tasks for a welcome break and nourishment. Several times, the bridge would announce over the radio that they were holding the start of the station until after mealtime.

Diagram of a boat showing directional terms: port (left side), starboard (right side), stern (back), and bow (front). — https://www.boaterexam.com/boating-resources/boat-terminology/

Did You Know?

My students are familiar with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as I open the year by teaching about them, that while the world has ONE ocean, I highlight the importance of designating our oceans as distinct sections. The MPA distinction allows students to jump right in, looking at some of the charismatic marine fauna and learning what it means to be a stakeholder. Below is a map of the MPAs located within our national waters and an overview of Stellwagen Bank, a sanctuary where we conducted some of our samplings.

Map of the Pacific Ocean highlighting various National Marine Sanctuaries, including locations like Olympic Coast, Greater Farallones, and Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale. — Map of U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries (Source: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/ )

Topographic map showing the Gulf of Maine and Stellwagen Bank area with geographical features and locations labeled. — Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary https://stellwagen.noaa.gov/pgallery/

The nutrient-rich waters of Stellwagen Bank have long made it a cornerstone of New England’s maritime story, supporting productive fisheries and returning whales, making it a whale-watching destination. This is where I was able to witness mother-calf pairs forage and learn with security and protection. This ecological vibrancy highlights the power of marine protected areas to sustain both wildlife and human use. Within federal waters, the 842-square-mile sanctuary stretches from south of Cape Ann to north of Cape Cod and is New England’s only national marine sanctuary.

January 17, 2025January 17, 2025

Kiersten Newtoff: WiFi and Memes, Do We Really Need Anything Else? January 17, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Kiersten Newtoff
Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces
January 6 – January 29, 2025

Mission: Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: North Atlantic Coast
Date: January 17, 2025
Data from the Bridge: Located at N37°23’0″, W75°5’0″, off the coast of Eastern Shore. A bit chilly at 38°F and very gusty at 21kt wind.

Maslov's Hierarchy of Needs, with "WIFI" added to the base. — A modern take on Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs. Credit: Tolu Aibana

Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs outlines what humans need, arranged in a pyramid. The base of the pyramid starts with physiological needs, including things like food, water, shelter, and sleep. As a general rule, people can’t address needs that are higher in the pyramid until their needs are met lower in the pyramid. It’s been jested that a new level be added to the base of the pyramid: WiFi. Having WiFi or just internet in general can help attain the needs in the pyramid. It is an interesting theory that we have been putting to the test on the Pisces.

Here enters Alex, the Chief Electronics Technician (ET). He handles all things related to electronic equipment, including WiFi. There have been some difficulties getting everyone connected to the internet and it’s been eye opening to see just how much we rely on it. I remember growing up that you had to be hard-lined in, using a phone line, and it was so incredibly slow. WiFi didn’t exist and using the internet was limited. Now 30 years later, our society can barely function without it (I say as I write this blog post, online).

A meme that says "The Internet is Broken!" at top. The picture on the left is of two women yelling and it's titled "Everyone" and the picture on the right is a white cat sitting at a dinner table with a scowl with the text "ET". — Artist: Ian

To the crew, WiFi may seem to be the most important job, but Alex takes care of so much more. He starts every morning checking and testing the SOS system, because “I don’t know about y’all, but I don’t want to be going in that water.” Same Alex, same. After checking the SOS system, he checks in with the crew on the ship to see how they are doing and if they have anything that needs to be updated, changed, fixed, etc. The equipment on a ship takes a beating between wind, waves, and salt. He maintains office hours during the day so that anyone can stop on by and ask him for help with an issue.

Alex the Electronics Techniciation sits at his desk, looking at the camera. — Alex, Chief Electronics Technician aboard NOAA Ship *Pisces*

This is Alex’s first solo NOAA cruise, but he has been working in the field for quite a long time. He was in the Navy for 4 years, went to community college, completed his bachelors in Neuroscience and Electrical Engineering, and worked in private sector electronics positions. He’s excited for this new role as he is passionate about science and how NOAA does research to benefit people and the environment.

How Can I Become an ET?

The most common pathway to this role is serving in the Navy as either an AET (Advanced Electronics Technician) or an EM (Electrician’s Mate), which is what Alex did as well as some private sector jobs. In these roles you gain valuable experience that directly transfers to the ET role at NOAA. If you don’t want to do military service, here’s some other things you can do to get your foot in the door:

Go to trade school for electrician training (make sure to pay attention to all the electrical theory!)
Go through certification pathways
Find an electrical apprenticeship
Join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union
Pursue IT positions
Take classes on Radio Frequency (RF) theory

A 6 panel meme, the text goes "Seas are Rough", "Pop a Meckie", "We low in Meckies". The corresponding images are of a dummy head with hands on his head and it says "Panik". The second one is a dummy head that says "Kalm". And the third is a dummy head with hands on his head and shaking saying "Panik". — Meckie = Meclizine, medicine for motion sickness. Artist: Ian

While Alex makes sure that everything is up and running, Ian the Survey Technician will use the equipment for water monitoring, ocean floor mapping, and helping to facilitate the science however he can. He works with a lot of different systems, such as the:

TSG (thermosalinograph): Water is pumped through the TSG which measures temperature and salinity. Using these variables, we can calculate how fast sound waves are traveling through water.
EK-80: This echosounder uses a single beam of sound and listens for the echo which provides information on how deep the water is and things that may be below the ship, such as fish.
EM2040: Similar to the EK-80, but instead uses multiple beams. This is used in mapping the seafloor since it has a wider swath and a higher resolution.
SIS: The Seafloor Information System visualizes what the EM2040 is gathering.
SCS: The Scientific Computing System allows for the real-time conveyance of oceanographic variables to the science team and other crews.

When the bioacoustics array is out, Ian puts many of the systems in passive mode so that they don’t emit any sound waves. Otherwise, the sound would make it difficult for the bioacoustics team to hear marine mammals through the hydrophones.

Ian’s other job on board is making memes. I’m not even joking. There is a screen in the galley that he updates every morning with information about the day plan, food menu, riddles, and memes. What is great about the memes though is that they reflect something that is going on with the ship and this applicability makes all of them so much funnier. He also helps manage the morale fund, which NOAA supplies for making t-shirts, organizing outings, and more. When you are on a ship with the same people for long periods of time, especially in rough weather, morale is mission critical.

Tips on Becoming a Survey Technician

Ian, the survey technician, stands next to a switchboard panel and other electronics. — Ian, Survey Technician aboard NOAA Ship *Pisces*

The military route isn’t as common for survey techs versus ET but can still be helpful getting sea time and experience in rough weather, particularly the Navy. (Ian served in the Marine Corps Reserve for 6 years).
Get an undergraduate degree in marine biology, hydrography, or geology
College of Charleston has a BEAMS program which teaches students nearly every aspect of a Survey Technician; this is where Ian went. There are also programs in Mississippi and New Hampshire.
Try out a lot of different positions and apply for everything
Make sure that you are okay being away from family and friends >8 months of the year. Develop good communication plans with your loved ones.
Be good at making memes.

Keeping the Crew Happy, a haiku

WiFi and good memes,
Do we need anything else?
Snopes, morale is high.

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019

Meg Stewart: What’s it Like to Work on a NOAA Ship? July 18, 2019

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Meg Stewart

Aboard NOAA Ship Fairweather

July 8 – 19, 2019

Mission: Cape Newenham Hydrographic Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Bering Sea, Alaska

Date: July 18, 2019

Weather Data from the Bridge
Latitude: 54° 09.9 N
Longitude: 161° 46.3 W
Wind: 22 knots NW
Barometer: 1014.2 mb
Visibility: 10 nautical miles
Temperature: 55.6° F or 13.1° C
Weather: Partly cloudy, no precipitation

Careers at Sea Log, or Meet the ….

Life at sea on the Ship Fairweather, this past week and a half, with some 42 crew members, has been something I have never experienced. The closest thing that I can think of was when I was in undergraduate geology field camp, living in close quarters for weeks on end, with the same people, working together towards a goal. But I knew all of those field camp students; we were in college together. This is different. Everyone works here on the Fairweather and this is their job and their home. We’re all adults and no one knows anyone when they first come aboard. So, if you are friendly, open to people and welcoming, you can get to know some folks quickly. If you’re shy or try to ease in slowly, it may be a harder adjustment, living on a 231-foot heaving, rolling, pitching and yawing, ice-strengthened, welded steel hydrographic survey vessel. It’s a unique environment. And there are a lot of different but interesting jobs that people do here on the Fairweather. Here are but a few of the mariners on the ship.

NOAA Corps – The first group of ship crew that I’ll talk about are NOAA Corps officers. NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (or NOAA Corps) is one of the nation’s seven uniformed services and they are an integral part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA Corps support nearly all of NOAA’s programs and missions.

XO Sam Greenaway, the Executive Officer on NOAA Ship Fairweather

Commander Greenaway is the Executive Officer onboard Fairweather and that work entails a variety of tasks that all function under the heading “administering the ships business.” Greenaway’s number one job is as the ship’s Safety Officer and he has additional tasks that include purchase requests from the departments, lining up contractors, making sure everyone has their training up-to-date, handling human resource issues, and accounting of the ship’s finances. On the Fairweather, Greenaway is second in command. He loves being at sea and has always liked sailing, which is one of his hobbies when not on the ship. What Greenaway least expected to be doing as a NOAA Corps officer was managing people but he finds that he loves that part of the job. Greenaway has a bachelors of science degree in Physics from Brown University and a masters degree in Ocean Engineering from University in New Hampshire.

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Ensign Jeffrey Calderon is a NOAA Corps Junior Officer and has been on Ship Fairweather for two years. Calderon was previously with the Air Force for eight years and also with the National Guard for about four years. His duties on the ship include driving small boats, doing hydrographic surveys, bridge duty on the ship, and he’s the medical officer on board. Calderon enjoys the challenges he gets with NOAA Corps and likes to manage small teams and decide priorities. He learned about NOAA Corps from his college advisor at the University of Maryland, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics.

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Ensign Iris Ekmanis is also a Junior Officer who recently completed her basic training for the NOAA Corps. She has been on Ship Fairweather for about a month and a half. She chose NOAA Corps because she wanted to utilize her degree in Marine Science (from University of Hawaii, Hilo) and had worked on boats for six years. She likes that she has been learning new things everyday, like how to pilot the ship from the bridge, learning to coxswain a launch, and learning to use the hydrographic software to collect bathymetric data. In fact, when we left the dock in Dutch Harbor at the beginning of the leg, Ekmanis had the conn, which means she maneuvered the ship through her orders to the helm (although she had plenty of people around her in case she needed assistance.)

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Survey team – The hydrographic survey team is involved in all aspects of collecting the data and generating the bathymetric surfaces that will be used to make updated nautical charts. They don’t drive the boats and ships, they run the software, take the casts that determine water salinity and temperature, tell the coxswain where to motor to next and then process the data back on Ship Fairweather. There are six members on the survey team; here are two of them.

Ali Johnson has been a hydrographer on the Ship Fairweather for two and a half years. She told me she always knew she wanted to work in ocean science in some capacity so she earned a degree in Environmental Studies at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. With this job, Johnson enjoys going to places that most people don’t ever get to see and one of the highlights was surveying while dodging icebergs and seeing the interesting bathymetry as a result of glacial deposits, another was seeing an advancing glacier up close. She is the hydrographer who showed me most of the ropes on the ship, the launch surveys and in the plot room.

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Michelle Wiegert has been with NOAA Ship Fairweather since last September. Although she did not lay eyes on the ocean until she was nineteen, she always knew she would do some ocean-based work. Wiegert earned a double major in Biology and Spanish from Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado and studied Applied Science Marine Technology at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC. As a Survey team member, she loves that she is working at sea and the fact that every day is different and she is always learning new things.

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Ship Stewards – The stewards are the crew members who make the three square meals a day. The food on Ship Fairweather has been outstanding and every meal seems like two or even three meals in one because the stewards offer so much variety, including vegetarian and vegan options. There are four stewards on the Fairweather and they are all as nice as can be. Here is one of them.

Carrie Mortell has been a steward with the Fairweather for two years and with NOAA for fifteen. She has ten years of commercial fisheries experience in southeast Alaska and she loves the ocean. Mortell told me she feels more comfortable at sea than on land. She likes to keep busy in her downtime by reading, writing letters, crocheting, cooking & baking and drawing.

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Deck Department – The Fairweather’s Deck Department takes care of general ship maintenance, cleaning decks, painting, operating cranes, helming the ship, and coxswaining the launches. There are currently eight members of the Deck Department and I interviewed one for this post.

Eric Chandler has been an Able Seaman with NOAA for one and a half years. He has driven the launches, taught coxswains-in-training, been a ship medic, moved launches with a davit, repaired jammed grab samplers, and many other tasks. Chandler started working on boats in 2016 when he was a deckhand, educator and naturalist on tour boats out of Seward, AK. He has also been a professional photographer and an auto mechanic. Chandler likes being on a ship because he sees remote places, gets to learn new skills all the time, and likes the feeling of being self-sufficient.

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Visitors to NOAA Ship Fairweather – I am a visitor to Ship Fairweather but I am not the only temporary person onboard. Here are two of the four of us who are “just passing through.”

Fernando Ortiz has been a Physical Scientist with NOAA since 2008 and works out of Western Regional Center in Seattle, WA. He was visiting the Fairweather on the same leg is mine. NOAA Physical Scientists normally work in the office but will go on a NOAA ship at least once a year to support field operations. Ortiz will possibly do the quality control check on the data for the Cape Newenham project in the future. Ortiz has a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Washington, Seattle WA. His advice for people looking for a similar career is to take science classes and he emphasized having Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and programming experience.

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Christine Burns, Knauss Fellow through NOAA Sea Grant

Christine Burns is visiting from Washington, DC, where she is a Knauss Fellow through NOAA Sea Grant. She is on a one-year post-graduate marine policy fellowship with NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. She wanted to see what the hydrographic research going on so came out to Dutch Harbor as part of her fellowship. Burns has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and a masters in Marine Science from the University of Georgia in Savannah, GA. As she was visiting like I was and we were both very much observers, Burns filled me in on some scholarship and internship ideas she has for high school students and those students thinking of careers and college after high school graduation. By the way, once you’re nearing the end of college or have graduated already, don’t forget that there is usually career advisory office and your alumni network at your institution. You can make connections, seek advice, ask about positions, among other important functions those offices and groups do for you.
Hollings Scholars – for current college sophomores, this is an undergraduate scholarship and internship through NOAA
EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program – this is the Hollings Scholarship for students attending HBCU or Minority Serving Institutions
Student Conservation Association – a good place to get work and volunteer experiences or a gap year opportunity, for people 18-35 interested in land management.
Youth Conservation Corps – a summer youth employment program that engages young people in meaningful work experiences on national parks, forests, and so on.
USAJobs – this link has summer internships for college students or recent graduates.
Rotary Clubs can help students find scholarships and volunteer opportunities
Unions – you can find paid internships or educational opportunities through unions for skills such as pipefitters, electrical, plumbing, etc.

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Next post: the Engineering Department of the Ship Fairweather

Personal Log

I am impressed and awed by the people who have chosen living and working on a ship. When I first came aboard the Fairweather, I felt everything was a little cramped and the space was confined. I couldn’t figure out how to get around very well. Now, I don’t get lost as often. It isn’t easy to live and work on a ship, but there are plenty of folks on the Fairweather who happily chose it.

I’ve enjoyed looking out at sea as we are underway. I try to spot whales and other flying and leaping sea critters. We have one more long transit before arriving back to Dutch Harbor so I am going to head up to the flying bridge and see what I can see.

Did You Know?

The Fairweather makes its own potable water. When I was shown the engine room, I was also shown the reverse osmosis water making machine that turns sea water into fresh water. The ship never runs out!

Quote of the Day

“It is not that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better.” – Sir Francis Drake

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019

Lona Hall: Meeting, Greeting, and Settling In, June 3, 2019

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Lona Hall

Aboard NOAA Ship Rainier

June 3 – 14, 2019

Mission: Kodiak Island Hydrographic Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Kodiak Island, Alaska

Date: June 3, 2019

Local Time: 1100 hours

Location: Alongside, JAG Shipyard, Seward, AK

Weather from the Bridge:

Latitude: 60°05.1022’ N
Longitude: 149°21.2954’ W
Wind Speed: 5 knots
Wind Direction: E/SE (114 degrees)
Air Temperature: 12.12° Celsius

Lona Hall on NOAA Ship Rainier — Enjoying the fresh air

Science and Technology Log

While at port in Seward, it has already been my pleasure to meet some of the people that make up the team of NOAA Ship Rainier. My mission so far has been to learn about the different capacities in which individuals serve on board the ship and how each person’s distinct responsibilities combine together to create a single, well-oiled machine.

The five main departments represented are the NOAA Commissioned Officers Corps, the Hydrographic Survey Technician team, the Engineering team, the Deck department, and the Stewards. There are also a few visitors (like me) who are here to observe, ask questions, and participate in daily operations, as possible.

Career Focus – Hydrographic Survey Technician

Today I spent some time with Survey Technician, Amanda Finn. Amanda is one of nine Survey Techs aboard NOAA Ship Rainier.

Amanda Finn, Hydrographic Survey Technician

What is hydrography?

According to the NOAA website, hydrography is the “science that measures and describes the physical features of the navigable portion of the Earth’s surface and adjoining coastal areas.” Essentially, hydrographers create and improve maps of the ocean floor, both deep at sea and along the shoreline. The maps, or charts, allow for safer navigation and travel at sea and are therefore very important.

(Click here to see the chart for Resurrection Bay, where the ship is currently docked.)

What does a Hydrographic Survey Technician do?

Technicians like Amanda are in charge of preparing systems for collecting hydrographic data, actually collecting and processing the data, monitoring it for quality, and then writing reports about their findings. They work part of the time on the ship as well as on the smaller launch boats.

What kind of data do Survey Techs use?

Both the main ship and the small launches are equipped with multibeam sonar systems. SONAR is an acronym for Sound Navigation and Ranging. This fascinating technology uses sound waves to “see” whatever exists below the water. Instead of sending out one sound wave at a time, the multibeam sonar sends out a fan-shaped collection, or swath, of sound waves below and to the sides of the boat’s hull. When the sound waves hit something solid, like a rock, a sunken ship, or simply the sea floor, they bounce back. The speed and strength at which the sound waves return tell the technicians the depth and hardness of what lies beneath the ocean surface at a given location.

small vessel in the water — Small launch for near shore survey

Personal Log

It is possible to be overwhelmed in a good way. That has been my experience so far traveling from my home in Georgia to Alaska. The ship is currently docked at the Seward shipyard in Resurrection Bay. When you hear the word “shipyard”, you might not expect much in the way of scenery, but in this case you would be absolutely wrong! All around us we can see the bright white peaks of the Kenai Mountains. Yesterday I stood in one place for a while watching a sea otter to my left and a bald eagle to my right. Local fishermen were not as enchanted as I was, but rather were focused on the task at hand: pulling in their bounties of enormous fish!

View near Seward shipyard — Out for a walk near the shipyard

I am similarly impressed with the order and organization aboard the ship. With over fifty people who need to sleep, eat, and get things done each and every day, it might seem like an impossible task to organize it all. By regular coordination between the departments, as well as the oversight and planning of the ship’s Commanding Officer and Executive Officer, everything flows smoothly.

I think that it is worth noting here how the level of organization that it takes to run a ship like NOAA Ship Rainier should not be taken for granted. Every individual must do their part in order to ensure the productivity, efficiency, and safety of everyone else. As a teacher, we often discuss how teamwork is one of life’s most important skills. What a terrific real-world example this has turned out to be!

Did you know?

Seward is located on the Kenai Peninsula in southern Alaska. The name Kenai (key-nye) comes from the English word (Kenaitze) for the Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina tribe. The name of this tribe translates to “people along the Kahtnu river.” Click here for more information about the Kenaitze Indian Tribe.

Word of the Day

fathom: a unit of length equal to 6 feet, commonly used to measure the depth of water

August 14, 2018

Thomas Savage: Meet the Crew, August 14, 2018

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Tom Savage

Aboard NOAA Ship Fairweather

August 6 – 23, 2018

Mission: Arctic Access Hydrographic Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Point Hope, northwest Alaska

Date: August 14, 2018

Weather Data from the Bridge
Air temperature: 8.8
Dry bulb 8.8 C
Wet bulb 7 C
Visibility: 10 Nautical Miles (10.5 miles)
Wind speed: 23 knots
Wind direction: east
Barometer: 999 millibars
Cloud Height: 10K feet
Waves: 2 foot

Meet the Crew

It takes a lot of personnel to ensure a successful mission. There are over forty personnel onboard this ship. During the past week, I have had opportunities to get to know them.

Stephen Moulton Operations Officer (in training) LT – NOAA

How did you first get involved in NOAA?

I was in the Coast Guard Reserves for eight years with some active time and trying to go back for active duty.

While working in Silver Spring, MD working as an industrial hygienist for an engineering company, I walked by NOAA Administration and inquired about jobs, applied for NOAA Corps and was accepted into training at the Coast Guard academy in 2012. Processed out of Coast Guard into NOAA Corps as an Officer in Training.

What is your job on board the Fairweather?

Operations Officer (in training). My job is to setup ships daily plan. This includes making sure we have the equipment, personnel and a good idea as to what the weather conditions will be for successful operation. Once we collect the data at sea, my job is to ensure the data is processed and meets NOAA’s standards and that it gets compiled into the correct format for distribution to our NOAA Pacific Hydrographic Branch. This data primarily gets converted into nautical charts which is used by mariners such as cargo ships, the US Coast Guard and recreational cruise passenger ships

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

I love being on the water and love driving the ship, making a 200-ton vessel do what you want by using the wind and seas, and navigating around other ships.

Where do you spend most of your time?

Most time is now spent in operations, training for what the ship needs to being doing with its time and funding, keeping us on the ship’s mission, which is surveying.

How long have you been on board?

3 months

When you were in high school did you have any vision of working at sea?

No, I attended Assumption College and graduated with degree in global and environmental studies. It was tough finding a job with that degree, the only types of jobs with that degree is being a foreign officer .

What do you enjoy most abut living on board?

It makes a lot things convenient, commute to work is a walk upstairs, gym is down the stairs and meals are cooked and you have no dishes to clean. Everything you need is on board. Being able to explore the mountains and wild life in Juneau while the ship was under repair is another bonus.

What is the most challenging?

Being far from my family who are in Rhode Island with two adopted kids.

Which other NOAA ships have your served?

NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, an east coast hydrographic survey from 2013 -2015 as an ensign. Spent 3 years on land as a CO-OPS handled tide gauge stations and operated small boats and traveled 4 weeks at a time for tide gauge maintenance along east coast team. Locations included Great Lakes and Puerto Rico.

Where do you see yourself in NOAA in the future?

Finishing up land assignment in Silver Spring Maryland and going out as an XO on a fisheries vessel in the Northeast such as NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow.

Simon Swart – Hydrographic Assistant Survey Technician

Where did you attend college and what was your degree in?

Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. BA in Environmental Science. Originally from the Cayman Islands and lived in San Francisco for ten years.

How did you get involved with NOAA?

Found out through scientific papers and knew I wanted to work with maps and applied science. I have been working aboard the Fairweather for five months.

Where is home?

San Francisco where my dad resides.

Describe your job?

It changes a lot depending on what is currently occurring. Six hour shifts on six hours off it simply depends on what is occurring in a day. While the boat launches are collecting data you are reviewing information and then process the data when it returns.

What do you enjoy most about being at sea?

Everything, love being on the water, that has a lot to do with growing up near the ocean. Every time I step outside on deck, it never ceases to amaze me with the beauty.

What are some challenges with ship life?

Living in close proximity with forty people living in close quarters.

What is your favorite place you have visited while working for NOAA?

Traveling through the Aleutian Islands. I still felt we were out far in the ocean with these beautiful islands.

Do you want to stay in the Alaskan region?

Yes, I have been wanting to traveling around Alaska since I was in high school. When I originally applied for NOAA, it did not specify Alaska.

What do you enjoy doing while you are off the ship, off duty?

It depends where the ship is located, hiking and fishing is what I enjoy most. Enjoy meeting and getting to know the local people at different ports. When returning to these ports, it is nice to get together with them and go hiking.

Sam Candio- Chief Hydrographic Survey Technician

What is your primary role?

Oversight of all the data, including the quality control and training new personnel.

Where are from?

New Jersey and attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington. And majored in BS Marine Biology. Cape Fear Community College associates degree Marine technology. This program is very good and this program has 95% job placement success. Got a job almost immediately after graduation

How did you get involved with NOAA?

I saw a job online and applied for it, always wanted to work for NOAA.

How many ships have you worked?

Have worked on board the Fairweather for three years.

What is your favorite place you have visited while on board?

Yakutat, near Juneau. There is an incredible glacier there, one of the only advancing glaciers in south east Alaska. There are eighteen thousand foot mountains in this region. It is also home to the northern most surf shop. You enjoy surfing in Alaska.

What do you enjoy the most about living on a ship?

I enjoy visiting all these remote places that few people get to see. For instance seeing the sun never setting and going to remote islands to set up remote GPS base stations.

What is your advice for anyone interested in cartography or marine biology?

Attend Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, North Carolina. As mentioned earlier, they have a great employment success rate of 95%. Start interning / volunteering as soon as you can. The community college also has a good research vessel with lots of hands on training. I traveled on two cruises, one to Baltimore and one to Bahamas. Each cruise has a different focus such as fish identification, mapping, bottom profiling and navigation.

Oiler Kyle in the Engine Room — Oiler Kyle Mosier in the Engine Room

Kyle Mosier – Oiler

Where are you from?

Grew up in Federal Way, Washington and moved to Gig Harbor, Washington, after high school to attend college.

What is your degree in?

AA degree from Pierce College, Lakewood, Washington. Then attended Seattle Maritime Academy with a focus of Engineering.

What is your primary role on the ship?

Maintain and repair equipment on engines and clean air filters for ships air supply and staterooms, and oil changes on our generators. Also, work on a lot of special projects on board with the engineering team.

How did you you get involved with NOAA?

I heard about it during maritime school and my Port Captain had worked for NOAA and heard good things about it and then applied. They called me back for an interview over the phone and then sent me to Newport Oregon for a pre-employment physical. Then traveled to Norfolk Virginia for orientation.

What do you do while you are off duty?

I love to write and passionate about stories and writing books. First I start by brainstorming ideas from the places I have gone to and the experiences I have and the people I meet. It helps for plot and settings. This job helps me with that as we travel all over the northwest region. In one of my books I used my experience seeing glaciers and used that as an awesome setting. The types of books I write are science fiction, mystery and adventure. I have over twenty books that have been published and a series of books entitled Katrina the Angel. My newest one, Natalie and the Search for Atlantis, is a Science Fiction which is the ninth one in the “Katrina the Angel” series. It is my most proud book that I have written and the longest. Writing makes me happy and hope one day to make it a career.

What do you enjoy the most about being at sea?

What I like most is the places we have gone to such as traveling around Alaska with a great crew. Juneau, Alaska, is my favorite. It has great people and everything is within walking distance. There are many places to go hiking and places that have Karaoke.

If someone wants to go out and buy one of your novels where can they purchase one?

Kindle device or Amazon.

What do you find most challenging about being on board the ship?

Unable to go home often

Do you have any plans as to working on another NOAA ship?

No, I enjoy it on the Fairweather

Cabot Zucker – Junior Officer

Where are you from?

Coastal town called Jupiter, Florida

Where did you attend College?

Went to the University of Florida and studied Wildlife Ecology and Sustainable Development

How did you first get involved in the NOAA Corps?

I was on vacation in North Carolina and saw a job posting regarding the NOAA Corps.

What are the requirements for getting accepted into the NOAA Corps?

You need a four year degree and they like to see experience in marine science or physical science preferably and being well rounded. There is a physical and medical screening pretty much the same as the military.

What are your responsibilities?

My main responsibility is to drive and safely navigate the ship and support its mission. Other collateral duties include, damage control, small boat officer assist with ship fleet inspection and inventory management on the ship. Included with this is other administrative paper work and tasks.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really like how dynamic, challenging and a lot of responsibility. and I love the challenging work environment and how I continually learn new skills. I have been on this ship for two months.

During these two months, what is the most amazing view you have seen?

The transition through the Aleutian Islands, the scenery there includes snow covered volcanoes, intense scenery of jagged cliffs. Saw lots of whales, puffins and other sea birds.

What is some of the challenges with working on a ship?

There is constant distractions and its such a dynamic environment. Plans are constantly changing and you have to adapt and get the work done. Being away from my wife has been challenging and I will see her in December for three weeks.

What place have you visited while serving the ship that you enjoyed the most?

I enjoyed Juneau, hiking the mountain and snow fields. Visited the Mendenhall Glacier and enjoyed fishing. We caught Pinks and Chum which are both types of Salmon.

Personal Log

I have now been at sea for over one week. The weather for the most part has been remarkable, sunshine. Last night we sailed into a sheltered area south of Point Hope, Kotzebue Sound, as the remnants of a tropical storm spun by. The wind gusts were recorded at 30 knots and the seas peaked around 8 feet. The Fairweather handled the rough seas well and rocked me to sleep. We are sailing back to the Point Hope area to conduct more surveying during this remainder of this week. At Point Hope, the sun rises at 6:20 am and sets at 12:04 am. As each day passes, the daylight is getting shorter by 10 minutes as we head into fall. On December 21st, the sun will be directly overhead at 21 degrees south Latitude and marks is the winter solstice. Using the image below, notice that the sun is shining a 90 degree angle directly above the Earth at 21 degrees south latitude. Locate the Arctic Circle and imagine the globe spinning, what do you see or not see at the Arctic Circle during the Winter Solstice?

Diagram of Earth at Winter Solstice. Image from thenorthwestforager.com.

Question of the Day How much sunlight will Point Hope receive December 21st during the Winter Solstice?

Answer from yesterday Answer is 74% relative humidity.

Relative humidity measures how much water vapor the atmosphere can hold at a specific temperature. Relative humidity is really a measurement of comfort and that is why meteorologist use this especially during the summer months. At warmer temperatures, the atmosphere can hold large amounts of water vapor. In the south, we always relate high humidity with hot temperatures. As the atmosphere becomes saturated with water vapor, water will cling to the nearest object, you; thus it becomes uncomfortable. However, at cooler temperatures, the atmosphere cannot hold that much water vapor, so the atmosphere can reach 100%, but it is comfortable as there simply is not a lot of water in the atmosphere.

Until next time, happy sailing!

Tom