Three flights, two cabs, and one boat ride later, at long last I have R/V Thomas G. Thompson within my sights!
Flying international solo for the first time was nerve racking to be sure. In my home airport, I waved goodbye to my family. In LAX, I struggled to find my gate. In HKG, I had a tight squeeze to make my connecting flight! But finally, in Thailand, I have made it aboard my new home for the next 6 weeks.
The first day, I was amazed with how large the ship is. I have sailed before on much smaller vessels, and this was definitely the first time I have been worried about getting lost on a boat! Now, on the 7th day aboard, I feel I have found the lay of the land. Err, sea? Anyways…
In the beautiful port of Phuket, Thailand, we pulled anchor on the morning of the 1st of May and set sail! Everyone on board got busy with their work as we began transit to our first science station. The captain, science crew, and the technicians have been working together to get through the EEZ’s, which is a zone we cannot sample or log data in. Because of international restrictions, transit days can be limited in the science that can be conducted on board the ship. In no way does that mean we don’t keep busy! Even though we can’t do any science, we still have much to accomplish. While shadowing the Marine Technicians aboard, I have already had many opportunities to refine my abilities and learn new skills;
- We have terminated the winch wire to our CTD.
- We have problem solved HTML coding issues.
- We have found creative workarounds for connection issues.
- I have begun the deep dive of learning wiki syntax.
- We have tested on board sensors, plumbing, and electrical components.
- We certified that the UCTD system is functioning properly.
As the science teams set up is being assembled, and the days of data are quickly approaching, I am thankful for the opportunity to observe and be a part of something so exciting. The crew and staff aboard the TGT has been very welcoming and fantastically helpful. I can’t wait to see where the next few weeks take us, and to be able to be apart of the science operations coming soon. Special shout out to Maria for helping me get to where I am in this process!
Fair winds and following seas to you!
Micah Barton – 04/21/2025
