Updates from sea
Teacher-to-student blog
Postings by: Carolyn Sheild from the R/V Atlantis
January 31 - February 3, 2007
3 February 2007 - Seeing with New Eyes
As I stood on the bow of the Atlantis, looking at the vast sea as it met the horizon, I thought about all I've seen and done this past month. My first blog mentioned that as an educator, I would see this experience through a different lens than when I was at sea previously. I hope you have been able to learn more about life at sea by the words I have written and the photos I have shared.
Looking through the Alvin porthole provides a whole new view. Photo © DSV Alvin
This voyage has been memorable for many reasons. I have been impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of the crew of the Atlantis and Alvin. Each person does his or her part to help keep the ship and science operations running smoothly. The stimulating science discussions have broadened my knowledge of the deep sea and helped me learn how different factors interact to sustain life. Being part of the scientific operations, whether entering data or helping with fish dissection, has renewed my interest in the scientific process. All people out here, whether crew or scientists, are working toward a common goal. I've seen a new venue for the importance of teamwork.
Catching the post-dive report.
Photo © H. Nees
What events will I remember most? Here are some highlights:
Life is different on the open ocean; there aren't the distractions, traffic or busyness like there is on land. I hope to take back some of the peaceful moments I have enjoyed while looking out over the sea...
Another beautiful sunset on the EPR.
Photo © C. Sheild
As I scroll through my photographs of this trip, I also see pictures I brought along of my students back in Lexington, MA. They remind me that it's time to return, with new vision to look into their eyes eager for knowledge. I hope these log entries have helped you see life aboard a research vessel with new eyes. My life has been forever changed because of my experience.
Note: I would like to thank the Lexington Education Foundation and the National Science Foundation, through the SEAS program, for helping to support my involvement on this research expedition.
31 January 2007 - Weather or not
What a sunrise! Photo © C. Sheild
What is your weather today? Living in New England, I'm very in tune to variable weather. Since I coach cross country in the fall, I need to know the daily weather to plan workouts. On the Atlantis, weather is important to ship operations because deployment of Alvin and other scientific gear can be difficult, even dangerous, if the weather is bad. In fact, our first Alvin dive was cancelled due to high sea swells. Remember, safety first!
For most of this cruise, the Atlantis has stayed in one general area, 9° 46-52'N and 104°16-18'W. In this region of the Pacific, the weather is fairly constant: blue skies, warm temperatures (80's), and light to moderate winds. The trade winds generally blow from northeast to west in our area. Sometimes a weather pattern called the Tehuantepec Affect increases the force of the trade winds. Here's how it works: high pressure can build in the Gulf of Mexico, forcing wind through a mountainous region on the isthmus of Mexico, and toward a low pressure to the west (over the Gulf of Tehuantepec). Even though we are approximately 1000 miles away from this area, these winds combine with the trade winds and when they reach us can be enough to prohibit the launch of Alvin. We are currently just north of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), also known as the doldrums, where air moves straight up. This creates a low pressure and cumulus clouds. This ITCZ band moves north and south of the equator on a seasonal basis. Usually during late summer into fall the band moves directly over 9°N, and that's hurricane season. Fortunately, we will not be in this area during that time!
Second mate, Peter Leonard receives a weather fax from NOAA. Photo © C. Sheild
How does the Atlantis find out weather forecasts? We receive forecasts from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) every six hours by weather faxes. Second Mate, Peter Leonard, analyzes and posts these faxes up on the bridge. To get a better quality printout, he will often download an identical map off the Internet. Copies of these forecasts are distributed to the Captain, Chief Scientist, the Surface Controller and sometimes the Expedition Leader of Alvin operations. Wind and sea state are monitored throughout the day, to make sure the conditions will be favorable for Alvin recovery in the afternoon. Another way we know the weather in our area is from U.S. Navy forecasts that the Captain receives daily.
Our ship also transmits a weather report. The Captain reports the weather to the Navy once a day by email. The following conditions are reported: wind direction, wind force, sea state and swell direction, barometric pressure, and air and water temperature. Peter also transmits a report of our weather to NOAA every few days. The information that is sent from the ship is useful to the Navy and NOAA to integrate into their current condition reports and their forecasts for the region.
No matter what the weather, it's always beautiful out here. Photo © C. Sheild
"Since the ship generally stays in one place, weather happens to us," states Peter. Our need to follow weather is different from other ships that constantly move into variable weather conditions. Still, the Second Mates and Captain are diligent in knowing what is coming our way, to allow for safe deployment of Alvin and other scientific instruments. Do you know what weather is coming your way?
Click here to see pictures of Weather on the R/V Atlantis.
View previous blog entries from January 24–30, 2007.
