Educational Activities

Journal Entry
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August 26, 2003
Tuesday

It is another gorgeous day on the Pacific. Woke up at 5 a.m. and went out on the lower deck to watch the sunrise while the first mate and one of the engineers were fishing. The first mate caught a Wahoo, fish, just before the sun rose.

After breakfast I started in on my daily science duty of reading the chlorophyll counts from last night’s CTD cast. There are 48 samples to read and record so this takes a bit of time to complete. The first launching of the dive boat is usually around 9:00 and they are currently out hunting for the rhizosolenia mats. They are hoping to collect a few more sinkers today. As they collect them they can not usually tell if they are sinkers or floaters, it is only when they have them in the smaller containers that their slow descent or accent is easily determined.

The crew on the ship is amazingly friendly and easy going. They are very efficient in their movements and aware of safety measures needed, but never over bearing in the way they present information to us. When areas are being cleaned they may even come around to tell us that a floor is wet and very slippery if it is a high traffic area. The fishing is always a good story for the start of the day and in the evening when they may fish again. They don’t fish when there is any scientific equipment or personnel is off of the ship. I believe it must really frustrate the fishermen on board when they can see fish from the bridge and can’t put a line in the water. There are two who are already talking about their next assignment, off of Mexico, and how great the fishing is down there.

A number of the men on the ship have already started sharing family and pet photos. It is so great to hear them talk about their families and things they do when they are at home. The discussions of what different people are reading and which bad movie was watched in the library/lounge the night before can be rather humorous on occasions as well. I think we have fallen into a routine already.

The cooks are a middle age man and a young man who is out for the first assignment. They are very different from each other but work well together. It is amazing the food they are able to prepare. For lunch we had enchiladas, some were chicken and another pan was made from the Mahi Mahi that was served yesterday, it was excellent the second time around. If anyone was planning to drop a few pounds on this trip, it will be better that they stay away from Paul and Tyson’s cooking.

Have a great day.

Daryl Newcomb

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