Mission: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey (Leg 4)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean, California Coast
Today’s Date: August 12, 2025
Weather Data from the Bridge:
Latitude: 43° 06.2’N
Longitude: 124° 38.8′ W
Wind speed: 9.2 kts.
Wave height: 1-2 ft.
Air temp.: 13° C (55° F)
Sky: Overcast
Science and Technology Log
An often paraphrased quote by Robert Burns goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Well, maybe that phrase also applies to fish.
The original plans for this leg of the survey were to head out to sea on August 8th. However, a winch on NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada stopped working before we took off. The winch is important as it helps to bring in the net which we need to catch the fish. It was a two day repair.
Then on the 10th we were all aboard and ready to leave when the wind decided to kick up. It was coming in at such an angle and strength that we did not have enough power to push away from the dock safely. So, we stayed in port for another night. We made the most of it by walking to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. It was amazing to be with the scientists as we walked through the exhibits. They have so much knowledge and experience working with the creatures on display.
Thankfully, the next day, the wind cooperated, and right around 14:50 on August 11th, we were able to set off. There were cheers and fist pumps as we began our journey.
In our mission we are taking a survey of the West Coast Pelagics, but specifically we are looking for five main fish: Pacific sardine, jack mackerel, northern anchovy, Pacific mackerel, and Pacific hake. I will be focusing on CPS, Coastal Pelagic Species, which are the sardines, anchovies, and both mackerels. Those will be caught during the night time shift that I will be working, midnight to noon. The reason we catch them at night is that during the day they are spread out and feeding, but at night they come back together for safety.
This is important work because with the data we collect we will know more about the population, size, and location of the populations and that provides guidance on what should be done for commercial fishing of those populations. One way we are able to be more efficient in catching the fish is by using certain tools to help us know where the fish are. We use acoustics technology to determine where, how many, and what kind of fish.
Today I helped get a TDR, Temperature Depth Recorder, ready to attach to the net. This sends information back to the ship about the depth of the net and the temperature of the water. The information when combined with what we know from the acoustics helps us catch what we are after.
Me holding a TDR that is ready to be attached to the net.
Personal Log
Once again following the theme of the day, adaptation has been key. I knew my schedule going into this adventure was going to require me to change my sleep schedule. Once the departure date was thrown back three days, there was also no way for me to keep the midnight to noon schedule. So, I am back today trying to adjust.
I am also trying to adapt to the motion of the sea. I brought sea sickness medicine and have been taking it regularly as prescribed, but I am still feeling the effects of the motion a little bit. One good trick has been getting outside and looking at the horizon. That has helped quite a bit. I also enjoy being in the wet lab. It is a bigger space and that is helping me fight back the queasy feeling.
The food onboard has been terrific. I am eating well. Our main steward’s name is Phil. He makes some amazing food. That is one thing I have not had to adjust to in any way.
I have the internet and am able to make Wi-Fi calls. Back home there was a flash flood. A lot of friends and family are dealing with the loss of their things. Thankfully, I have not heard any reports of people having been hurt. It is tough to be away from friends and family. Thankfully, everyone on board has been really nice. It makes a tough situation easier when you have friends to talk with. I am looking forward to not feeling sea sick soon and having amazing learning experiences in the days and weeks ahead.
Pulling in our first catch!
Did You Know?
Greenwich Mean Time is the local time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwhich, England where the Prime Meridian was established in 1884. It is used as a reference point for telling time all around the world. On the ship it can be difficult to keep track of time. The GMT is a way for all of us who come from different time zones and are on different schedules to keep track of what time things are happening.
Can you identify this species?
Northern Anchovy – The rounded “nose” and the muppet style face are easy identifiers.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Nick Lee Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson June 29 – July 20, 2024
Mission: Pollock Acoustic-Trawl Survey
Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Bering Sea
Date: July 12, 2024
Weather Data from the Bridge:
Latitude: 60° 02.17 N
Longitude: 176° 37.3 W
Wind Speed: 14 knots
Air Temperature: 5.5° Celsius (41.9° Fahrenheit)
Science and Technology Log
Once the trawl is completed, the codend is unloaded onto a conveyor belt for sorting. Usually, we just sort by species, picking out any organisms that aren’t pollock and storing them in separate baskets. Overall, I’ve been surprised with how “clean” or uniform the catches have been. We will usually have some jellyfish, but other than that we tend to have only a few fish of other species in a catch with hundreds or thousands of pollock.
The catch is first emptied onto a conveyor belt where it is sorted by species.
When the catch has a mix of juvenile and adult pollock, we’ll also sort them by size, which roughly correlates to age group. The size cutoff used for sorting is only an approximation of age (the exact age is determined later), but it is still useful in ensuring that we sample a consistent number of each size class in every trawl.
Distinguishing between the larger juveniles and smaller adults on the belt can be tricky, so on one trawl we got creative and found what we named a “measuring fish.” This fish was the smallest length that had been designated as an adult in the previous trawls – anything smaller we left on the belt with the juveniles and anything larger we put in a separate basket with the adults. While not the most conventional solution, it served our purpose well and showed that anything can be made into a measuring instrument!
Using a “measuring” fish to sort the catch according to size (Photo Credit: Matthew Phillips).
Once the fish are sorted, we take length and weight measurements for a representative sample of all species in the trawl. We measure the length of hundreds of pollock in a given trawl, so luckily the system is very efficient.
When I length a pollock, I’ll grab the fish in one hand and place it on the magnetic length board so that its head is against the end at zero. Then I’ll use my other hand to straighten the fish and place a magnet at the fork of the tail. The length board records where the magnet touches the length board, measuring what is known as the “fork length” of the fish.
The length board records where the red magnet is placed.
For a subsample of pollock, we will also record the sex and maturity of each individual. To collect this data, we’ll first make a cut along the side of the pollock. This allows us to observe the pollock’s ovaries or testes and compare them to a chart showing the stages of development. Based on the time of year, most of the pollock we catch are in the “developing” stage. Also visible are the pollock’s liver and its stomach, which is often filled with krill!
Scientist Matthew Phillips showing me how to identify the sex and maturity of a pollock (Photo Credit: Mike Levine).
For a subsample of the pollock in this group, we’ll also collect otoliths, which are similar to tree rings in that they allow scientists to visually determine the age of the individual. Otoliths are part of pollock’s inner ear, and they help the fish to detect vibrations in the water. Like tree rings, they grow throughout a fish’s life, adding visible layers each year. During times when the fish is actively feeding (usually during the summer), an opaque layer forms around the otolith. In contrast, when the fish is eating less, the otolith layer formed is translucent. By studying otoliths, scientists can determine the age of a fish, as one opaque layer and one translucent layer together represent one year. (Source: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/science-data/age-and-growth)
Extracting an otolith from the head of a pollock (Photo Credit: Mike Levine).
One important and sometimes overlooked step in scientific data collection is the clean-up. At Codman Academy, we use the phrase “Leave No Trace,” and I try to model this idea in the fish lab as well. Working with fish can be smelly, and the smell only grows when fish are allowed to sit for extended periods of time. The process of recording sex and extracting otoliths can be especially messy, so we are constantly spraying down baskets and surfaces (and each other!) between data collection steps.
All of the fish that are processed are ultimately disposed of overboard – usually during the processing of the trawl dozens of seabirds follow the ship in search of discarded fish!
Seabirds flying past the fish lab.
Personal Log
Outside of my stateroom, there is a tongue-in-cheek poster claiming to be a “Bering Sea Weather Guide.” The poster has the labels “Good Day,” “Some Days,” and “Other Days,” below paint swatches, all of them different shades of gray. There are also gray paint swatches for “Summer,” “Winter,” and “Days Ending in Y.”
“Bering Sea Weather Guide” outside my stateroom.
We’ve certainly had our share of gray days this cruise, and I’ve become used to falling asleep to the sound of the ship’s foghorn. However, we’ve also gotten a few moments of sunshine and blue sky, providing some great moments for bird and whale watching from the bridge. Being on the night shift, I’ve also been able to observe a couple of sunsets from the water!
View from the bridge on a clear day (left) and sunset at sea (right).
Did you know?
Because we are so far north and west in the time zone, the sun sets very late here, usually around 1 am!
Mission: Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (RREAS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean; U.S. West Coast
Date: June 14th, 2024
Weather Datafrom the Bridge
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024 Latitude: 33°34.07 N Longitude: 119°03.108 W Sea Wave Height: 4ft Wind Speed: 5.57 knots Air Temperature: 62°F Sky: Clear
Science Log
View from the deck just before daybreak.
What ocean organisms are you finding?
Each night, the Lasker NOAA Corps Officers, crew, and science team work together to conduct a series of trawls, deploying nets behind the boat to collect samples for the Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (RREAS).
After the catch from the trawl comes onto the Lasker, scientists identify and measure each of the organisms on board. One of my main tasks during my time as a Teacher at Sea is to help the science team sort and identify the trawl catch each night. A sample of the organisms caught during each trawl, and all of the juvenile rockfish, are collected, labeled and saved for further analysis back at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center Santa Cruz Lab when the science team returns to shore.
Some of the most common organisms caught include pyrosomes, salps (including the large Thetys), krill, and fried egg jellyfish. We also catch a lot of fish, including juvenile anchovy, juvenile hake, many different varieties of myctophid fish, and of course rockfish. To me, some of the most exciting and special organisms caught include the juvenile octopus, all types of squid and king-of-the salmon fish. I am learning so much each day!
Photos: Trawl catch being sorted in the wet lab, trawl catch just after it came in on the ship.
Photos: Ocean organisms from the trawl being sorted in the wet lab, octopus saved from the catch.
Each night, and throughout the night, a member of the science team goes on “Mammal Watch” during trawling operations to protect marine mammals. Fifteen minutes before a trawl, a member of the science team goes up to the bridge mammal watch station, and looks for protected marine mammal species like dolphins, sea lions and whales. If a marine mammal is spotted, then the trawl cannot happen until there are no marine mammals within one nautical mile of the ship. When the trawl begins, another scientist begins mammal watch on the deck from the time the net is launched into the water, until it returns to the ship. Again, if a marine mammal is spotted during this time, the trawl will be canceled and the net will be reeled in immediately.
There are also devices attached to the net called “dolphin deterrent devices.” These devices, often called “dolphin pingers” by the science team, activate as soon as they hit water, and emit sounds to deter dolphins and other marine mammals. This helps to keep marine mammals away from the net to prevent them from getting unintentionally tangled, and do not cause harm to marine animals.
Retired marine mammal deterrent device with hand-drawn rockfish art (by Jackie – one of the ship’s deck crew)!
Personal Log
What is the NOAA Corps?
The NOAA Corps is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services, and the only one to consist only of officers. All NOAA Corps Officers attend the Basic Officer Training Class (BOTC) at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and train alongside Coast Guard officer candidates. NOAA Corps Officers support all aspects of the NOAA mission and may be assigned to serve on either ships or aircraft. The Lasker currently has 6 officers aboard, under the leadership of Commander Claire Surrey-Marsden.
Photos: CDR Claire Surrey-Marsden on the flying bridge, Daily safety meeting in the bridge
I got a chance to interview CDR Claire Surrey-Marsden. Originally from the Bronx in New York City, CDR Surrey-Marsden has always been interested in the ocean and has a background studying marine biology from Florida Tech. After college, she interned and then worked for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where she worked with manatee conservation. She then applied and was accepted into the NOAA Corps, and went on to officer training at the Global Marine and Transportation School (GMATS) at Kings Point Academy.
NOAA Corps officers alternate between land and sea assignments in different locations. Her second sea assignment was actually on the delivery team of the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker, then NOAA’s newest fisheries ship. CDR Claire Surrey-Marsden had land assignments in the Marine Mammal Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, and in Washington D.C. working with NOAA Rear Admiral Cary. She now returns to the Lasker on her fourth sea assignment as the Commanding Officer, coming full circle from delivering the same ship early in her career.
When asked what advice she would have for a student interested in a marine science career, CDR Surrey-Marsden advises to volunteer for any opportunity/activity, and to do a good job wherever you go.
Book Recommendations
One of the people I work closely with on the ship is scientist Ily Iglesias. Before arriving on the Lasker, Ily just defended for her P.h.D in ocean sciences at University of California Santa Cruz.
Ily is also a mom to a 3 year old daughter, and they love to read books together. Ily gave me several recommendations of her and her daughter’s favorite science-themed books to read together. Ily has been on survey trips several times, and each time before she leaves she enjoys reading the children’s book Love, Mama by Jeanette Bradley. A story about baby penguin with a mama scientist that goes out to sea on a ship, and both a very relevant and helpful book for Ily and her family. Other ocean related favorites include Who’s Afraid of the Light? by Anna McGregor, and Where the Weird Things Are by Zoleka Filander. I’m excited to read these to my preschool students back in Alaska!
How’s the food?
One of the most asked questions of my family and friends from home is asking about what my meals are like at sea. I am happy to report that the food is great! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared each day by chefs Arnold and Jude, and available to everyone aboard the Lasker at specific times each day. Working the night shift, I typically begin my day with dinner at 1700, and end it with breakfast at 0700. At night while the science team is working, there is always a full salad bar available, as well as sandwich supplies, snacks and leftovers from the day before. Everyone available on the sip eats together in the “mess” – it’s a great time to relax and get to know everyone.
Beef and vegetablesLobster and baked potato
Photos: Some favorite dinners so far from the cruise.
Mission: Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (RREAS)
Geographic Area of Cruise: Pacific Ocean; U.S. West Coast
Date: June 11th, 2024
Weather Datafrom the Bridge
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Latitude: 35.42 °N Longitude: 121.22 °W Sea Wave Height: 4-5 ft Wind Speed: 4 knots Air Temperature: 57 ° F Sky: Foggy / light rain
Science Log
Arriving on the Lasker
We’re off! After landing in San Francisco and driving down to Santa Cruz, I arrived on the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker by way of small boat transfer. The Lasker was anchored in Monterey Bay, and sent a small boat to pick up myself and some of the science team and crew to be taken aboard. We boarded the small boat, the “RL-2 Shark,” then traveled to the side of the Lasker where we were hoisted up via a winch. I then got a full tour around the ship, and the opportunity to meet many people who work on the Lasker, including members of the science team, NOAA Corps, and Lasker crew.
Charlotte boards the RL-2 Shark in Santa CruzApproaching the LaskerRL-2 Shark on board the LaskerThe RL-2 Shark approaches the Lasker
The Night Shift
Running a ship like the Lasker is a 24-hour-a-day operation. At all times there are some groups of people sleeping and others who are working. The majority of the science crew works at night, so my day typically begins with dinner at 5:00 pm and then working with the science team from approximately 9:30 pm until 6:30 am. As a morning person this was very difficult at first! But after two nights working, I’m finally adjusting to our new schedule.
What is the Goal of the Survey?
The main scientific focus of the upcoming mission is the Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (RREAS). This survey has been conducted since 1983, and collects data on rockfish and other organisms in their ecosystem.
Rockfish are a very important fish commercially and recreationally in California and on the West Coast. One of the primary purposes of the survey is to use the data collected to help provide additional information about the management of commercial and recreational fisheries off the west coast.
CTD Operations
CTD rosette, ready to be deployed into the ocean.
I began my first night shift by observing a CTD deployment. CTDs are instruments that measure Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD). CTD measurements are conducted approximately 5-6 times a day, and twice at night. The CTD descends down into the ocean to a depth of up to 500 m . There are other instruments and sensors attached to the CTD that measure things like chlorophyll levels and oxygen levels. The data taken from the water column serves as a foundation for scientists to understand the ocean environment.
All of the CTD data, and all the data that the Lasker collects, is free and available to the public.
Trawling
Hand-drawn diagram of trawl net, courtesy of scientist Tanya Rogers.
When do we trawl?
The reason the science team trawls at night because there is net avoidance during the daytime, meaning the fish will see the net coming during the day and swim away from it. Other creatures migrate towards the surface at night. In a pattern called vertical migration, these mesopelagic species migrate to shallow waters to feed during the night, while spending day hours at depth.
Having more diverse species to study is useful for the Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (RREAS). The more data that is collected on rockfish and other species helps scientists to better understand the heath of different fish species, and make predictions and assessments of ocean trends.
How does trawling work?
Each night, the Lasker crew, NOAA corps officers, and science team work together to trawl for different fish species.
In our Rockfish Recruitment and Ecosystem Assessment Survey, the science team conducts midwater trawls, at approximately 30m depth to target the fish and other ocean organisms that are targeted for the study.
The last few days we’ve averaged 5 trawls per night. The process begins by deploying the trawling net behind the ship into the midwater section of the water column, and trawling for fish for either 5 or 15 min. After the net is brought in, the contents of the trawl are sorted, measured, and recorded by the science team. This data will be later analyzed to help better understand the ocean ecosystem.
Teacher at Sea Charlotte with the catch of a trawl.
The science team sort fish and other organisms from the trawl.
Personal Log
NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker: My New Home at Sea
NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker (photo courtesy of NOAA)
My new home for my time at sea is the NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker. The Lasker is a NOAA fisheries vessel, with a home port located in San Diego, CA.
During my time at sea, the Lasker will be sailing off the coast of California, sailing out of Santa Cruz and back into port in San Diego.
Living on the ship reminds me a lot of my college dorm room. On the ship most people have roommates, and we all have shared spaces like the mess (cafeteria), science labs, outside decks and places to relax. Everyone aboard the ship has been extremely welcoming and kind, always answering any questions I might have and teaching me about life aboard a ship. I am happy to call the Lasker home over my trip at sea!
There are three major teams working and living as a cohesive unit aboard the Lasker. The Reuben Lasker crew, NOAA science team, and NOAA Corps officers each have distinct roles and work together each day to accomplish various science projects.
Sunset aboard the Lasker.
Did you know?
Adjusting to working the night shift (approximately 9:00 pm – 7:00 am) as a typical morning person has meant sleep is often on my mind. Chatting before our second night shift, scientist Ily Iglesias shared with me how dolphins sleep. Both dolphins and whales sleep much differently than most mammals. Known as unihemisphericsleep, dolphins
Mission: Fisheries: Pacific Hake Survey (More info here)
GeographicRegion: Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California
Date: July 16, 2023
– – ⚓ – –
Weather Data from the Bridge
July 14 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 38° 34.9’ N, 123° 42.7’ W 15nm (17mi) West of Stewarts Point, CA
Visibility: <1 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast, fog Wind: 19 knots from NW 330° Barometer: 1014.6 mbar Sea wave height: 3-4 feet Swell: 5-6 ft from NW 300° Sea temperature: 11.0°C (51.8°F) Air temperature: 13.1°C (55.6°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 330° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 10 knots
July 15 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 38° 56.3’ N, 124° 02.1’ W 13nm (15mi) West of Point Arena Lighthouse, Point Arena, CA
Visibility: 10 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast Wind: 20 knots from NW 340° Barometer: 1013.1 mbar Sea wave height: 3-4 feet 3-4 Swell: 7-8 ft from NW 320° Sea temperature: 10.8°C (51.4°F) Air temperature: 13.3°C (55.9°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 270° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 9 knots
July 16 (1200 PT, 1500 EST) Location: 39° 36.2’ N, 124° 01.6’ W 14nm (16mi) Northwest of Fort Bragg, CA
Visibility: 10 nautical miles Sky condition: Overcast Wind: 29 knots from NW 320° Barometer: 1011.4 mbar Sea wave height: 3-4 feet Swell: 5-6 ft from NW 320° Sea temperature: 11.3°C (52.3°F) Air temperature: 13.9°C (57.0°F) Course Over Ground: (COG): 280° Speed Over Ground (SOG): 7 knots
– – ⚓ – –
Science and Technology Log
Without a vessel and without a crew, none of this mission would be possible. As I’ve said before, this crew is special. Like any job, employees are required, but that does not mean that you will work well cohesively and passionately towards a goal. The two weeks I’ve been spending with this crew who is so wholeheartedly excited about their job and role, while being on the ocean, has been so rewarding and inspiring. More later, this is starting to remind me of crying along with my sobbing fourth graders on the last day of school.
While I’ve discussed a lot of the daily operations of the crew and ship, and what I’ve been learning and working on myself, however, I have not discussed the vessel and agency that has made all of this possible. Many people question, “What is NOAA?” when I explain this opportunity.
About NOAA
“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a U.S. government agency that was formed in 1970 as a combination of several different organizations. The purpose of NOAA is to study and report on the ocean, atmosphere, and coastal regions of Earth.”
“Our mission: To understand and predict changes in climate, weather, ocean, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and managecoastal and marine ecosystems and resources.” NOAA: “About Our Agency”
NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada can carry a total crew of 24, which include NOAA Corps officers, engineers, other crew members, and scientists.
“The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services. NOAA Corps officers are an integral part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and serve with the special trust and confidence of the President.”
NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada, commissioned in 2010, is a fisheries survey vessel designed to produce a low acoustic signature, built to collect data on fish populations, conduct marine mammal and seabird surveys, and study marine ecosystems. The quiet operation provides scientists the ability to study fish and marine mammals without significantly altering their behavior.
Stats and Specs (Link for more information) Length: 208.60 ft Beam (width): 49.2 ft Draft (bottom of the lowered centerboard to waterline): 29.7 ft Displacement (full load): 2,479 tons (4,958,000 lbs) Speed: 11.00 knots Endurance: 40 days Range: 12,000 nautical miles Home port: Newport, Oregon Crew: – 24 (5 NOAA Corps officers, 4 licensed engineers, and 15 other crew members) – Plus up to 15 scientists
Namesake
“[Dr.] Bell M. Shimada (1922-1958), served with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, and was known for his studies of tropical Pacific tuna stocks.”
The ship’s namesake was known for his contributions to the study of Tropical Pacific tuna stocks, which were important to the development of West Coast commercial fisheries following World War II. Dr. Bell Shimada and colleagues at Pacific Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (POFI) Honolulu Laboratory were among the first to study the population dynamics of tunas and the oceanography affecting their abundance and distribution.
Dr. Bell M. Shimada, circa 1957. Wikipedia: “Bell M. Shimada”
“In her remarks at the christening and launch, [Dr. Shimada’s daughter] Julie Shimada offered the following, “I hope the Bell M. Shimada is a lasting testament that no life is too short, no career too brief, no contribution too small, to make a difference.”
NVC Foundation: “NOAA Honors Nisei With Launch of Fisheries Vessel “Bell M. Shimada””
– – ⚓ – –
Interviews with the Crew (Part 1 of 2)
(Take note of the similarities and differences between how these crew members chose an ocean-related career and got to be assigned to NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada)
Executive Officer Commander Laura Gibson
What is your role aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada? CDR Gibson’s role includes a lot of administrative work, handling the budget, standing bridge watches as the Officer on Duty (OOD), along with other executive duties.
What do you enjoy the most about your role? The mission and camaraderie of the crew, as well as getting to know the ship and happy, successful operations.
When did you know you wanted to pursue an ocean-related career? CDR Gibson enjoys Scuba diving and grew up on lakes. She worked on a research ship in college and continued working on the water which led her to NOAA. She mentions her Dad as a large motivator and inspiration of wanting to pursue an ocean-related career.
What do you think you would be doing if you were not working for NOAA? Working a boring 9-5 desk job!
Favorite animal Rhinoceros
Fun Fact: she brings a stuffed animal dog with her from her son, named Barfolomew.
His nickname is Barf!
Operations Officer Lieutenant Nicole Chappelle
What is your role aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada? Coordinate with scientists to make the plan of the day, assist in navigation and operation of the vessel.
What do you enjoy the most about your role? Nicole enjoys seeing all of the sea life and creatures, and hearing and learning what the scientists are doing and why.
When did you know you wanted to pursue an ocean-related career? She originally wanted to work with animals, which she did as a member of a rehabilitation team at Sea World. She then wanted to join uniformed service. Nicole chose NOAA’s uniformed service (NOAA Corps) because their science missions aligned with her interests.
What do you think you would be doing if you were not working for NOAA? Working with animals and marine life or being a scuba instructor.
Do you have an outside hobby? Horseback riding, Scuba diving, jogging, kayaking, hiking.
What’s something you were surprised to see or learn about living and working onboard when you first started? Nicole remarked on the times she’s been out in the ocean, hundreds of miles away from shore, and how few other vessels you see there. She says it gave her a much greater appreciation for just how big the ocean is.
Favorite animal Horses
Junior Engineer Deb Rose
What is your role aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada? Junior Engineer Deb Rose (in her words) handles the “hotel services” of the vessel. Her role includes plumbing, electrical work, repairs, and many other behind the scene tasks to keep the vessel running safely.
What do you enjoy the most about your role? I get to fix stuff! Troubleshooting, figuring out what’s wrong, and fixing the problem were among steps that she described as part of her work onboard.
When did you know you wanted to pursue an ocean-related career? While working at Firestone, Deb met and befriended Jason who became a wiper on NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette. She saw pictures and heard his stories of how he is now a licensed engineer, and decided to follow in his footsteps! She mentions Jason as a motivator that inspired her to pursue an ocean-related career.
What do you think you would be doing if you were not working for NOAA? Continue to work on the Alaska Marine Highway ferries. (These ferries cover 3,500 miles of Alaska’s coastline.)
Outside hobbies: Video games, Scuba diving, swimming, fishing
What’s something you were surprised to see or learn about living and working onboard when you first started? How few women there still are in the industry. Deb has often been the only or one of the only female crew members both on land and at sea. She hopes that this trend will keep changing and that women will be in more engineering industries.
Favorite animal Her favorite animals are the Jackson Chameleon and dogs.
Fun Fact: Humans are more related to salps than any other creatures we catch. She can also identify 12 Rockfish species!
Deck Department Connor Rauch
What is your role aboard NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada? Connor is a General Vessel Assistant as part of the Deck Department. He helps deploy and recover the trawl net and CTD rosette, stands watch as a lookout, helps keep the ship clean, and much more! He took classes at Seattle Maritime Academy for one year and is now applying his education on his first NOAA vessel!
What do you enjoy the most about your role? He is enjoying his first assignment on a NOAA vessel and traveling up and down the Pacific coast. He says he is also enjoying being on the water, applying new knowledge to tasks, and training to a real ship. He also enjoys learning about trawling and commented on how nice the people onboard are.
When did you know you wanted to pursue an ocean-related career? He wanted to try something new after working for a non-profit group during the Covid-19 pandemic assisting those in need. He decided to work on the water since he grew up sailing and kayaking. He thought of working on local ferries, but after taking classes at Seattle Maritime Academy, he had the confidence to apply for NOAA.
Do you have an outside hobby? Reading, kayaking, camping, and hiking.
What’s something you were surprised to see or learn about living and working onboard when you first started? Connor said he was pleasantly surprised at how tight the crew is, how easy it is to sleep, how comfortable the ship is, and the good food!
Favorite animal Beavers and dog
– – ⚓ – –
Personal Log
As this experience comes to the end, I reflect on all parts of this mission. The crew, vessel, marine life, food, sleep, friendships, and more. I’m so thankful I was able to have this experience and share NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program more with coworkers, family, friends, and my students. Meeting and talking with the crew resulted in long conversations and plenty of laughs and connections amongst each other that they previously had not known.
Winds and swells picked up over the weekend and on Sunday July 16 we only caught six Hake. After that trawl and an increase in marine mammals being sighted when we were trying to trawl, fishing was called off for the rest of the Leg. At 1020 Monday July 17, we completed our last transect for Leg 2 of the Survey and headed due North for the long trek to Newport, Oregon. We still found ways to entertain ourselves, nap, snack, share stories and riddles, take photos of sunsets and marine mammals, watch shooting stars and have a movie night. Below are photos of our art craft: fish prints of two Chilipepper Rockfish!
Art stationFish prints hanging to dryFinished fish print
– – ⚓ – –
Did You Know?
NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada has an endurance, the amount of time the vessel can be at sea in a row, of forty days. This is not because the ship can’t make its own fresh water through reverse osmosis from sea water, or a lack of fuel, oil, extra parts, or a way to exhume waste and trash in an environmentally friendly way…
but because of food!
Our galley crew is amazingly talented and spoils us with a huge all you can eat buffet, desserts, and drinks every day! But, as per various laws and for the safety of the crew, they are lawfully entitled to fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, etc. within set guidelines and window of time.
Salad and food service bar in galleyFresh fruitShip’s mess
– – ⚓ – –
Animals Seen Today
Pacific White-Sided Dolphins! Although these energetic friends caused us to abandon a trawl attempt after multiple marine mammal watches ended early because of their presence, they were so much fun to watch! I brought my DSLR camera up to the bridge deck and eventually sat down on the deck watching them jump and race through the ocean waters next to the hull. Below are some of my favorite photos I took of the pod.
