Author: Rachael Byrd

Retrospect on the deck of the R/V Langseth, with the vast expanse of intense blue of the ocean stretching out before me, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that led me here. This Marine Technical internship with the US Academic Research Fleet, in collaboration with Columbia University, has been a long-awaited milestone in my career. Months of preparation and hard work have culminated in this moment.

As we learn daily maintenance of the scientific and navigational systems that are crucial for seismic research, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment and gratitude. Every task, no matter how small, contributes to the larger mission of scientific discovery. Being at sea, surrounded by the relentless rhythms of the ocean, I find a sense of peace and purpose.

It’s hardly appropriate to keep saying …but sometimes I really can’t believe that I’m here. If you really think about it, how many actual times can you send your family this when they want something. Kidding, I love you idiots. 

It goes without saying that I’m a part of something very unique. And without the support of my home university and the various programs offered to me, I would have never been able to have the financial freedom to leave for a transcontinental internship at-sea or weeks on end. I have so much gratitude for that – to all you out there at the University of Southeast Ketchikan Maritime Center and the folks at the STEP Grant offices, THANK YOUUU! I have never felt more supported as a student and I wanted to show how thankful I truly am. (Special shoutout to Professor Boss, Professor LaBarge, Lisa, Angie, Jensen, and Deepwater Bill!)

With the support and guidance of the UAS Maritime Center, this experience was able to happen and is more than just a professional achievement; it is a personal journey of growth and learning. I think of the words of great authors who have inspired me along the way, and I realize that this experience is a chapter in my own story, filled with challenges, triumphs, and the boundless curiosity that drives me forward. And this doesn’t come without failure. To thrive, we must sustain the internal human operation – because who you are when things aren’t going great…matters a great deal. “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be very careful what we pretend to be.” (Vonnegut)

This trip has been a significant retrospective and introspective – on many things beyond academia. I think that’s why it has so much meaning, it’s taught me a lot about myself and who I get to be. As the days pass and we continue our research, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful. And as I look ahead, I know that this experience will shape the path I take in the future, guiding me toward new horizons and endless possibilities. And if I’m lucky, it’ll be the first step I ever took to make the biggest life change that I never thought possible in a three-dimensional state of mind.

Here’s to the 3rd week on the road…

-Rachael

i crave infinity, but love limitation – roon

(5/5/2024 – 5/7/2024)

Continuation of reorganizing server racks with marine technician Riley; installation of new acquisition systems, rearranging cords/data rack interface:

       – Sorted extension cords, made (2) wall-hang areas for power tools on adjacent wall in tech shop for extension cords and power tools. Disposed of old/frayed extension cords. Intermittently checked Serial Data updates and maps 

       – Continuation of tech shop reorganization; mounted tools on board, moved/consolidated batteries, vacuumed. Made “No Sitting No Standing” signs (4) with the engraver and attached to top and side of counter with screws. Moved (13) mustang suits out of lower cupboard and into a large box in the side room behind main printer station. Made a sign with the engraver for the fridge, removed cupboard doors from lower cupboard to make room for fridge.

Are you about to jailbreak the sim? Be sure to tell us what it’s like on the other side. Hoping it’s not just racks of servers humming in darkness. – George

5/8/2024 – 5/9/2024

       – Disassembled and cleaned all parts of 1900 LLXT source element (seismic airgun). Reassembled replacing Al o-rings/bolts, tested with shop air for leaks. Cleaned out airguns w/ sandpaper, mystery red oil spray and paper towels. 

Per aspera ad astra. – Latin anon 

5/10/2024 –  5/11/2024

 – Made signs on the engraver for various projects (Riley, Chief Mate, and Cody). Small scale organization of various items on desks/tables while waiting for engraver (consolidated ratchet straps/ropes, etc). Put up curtains in wet lab with Colton and Ray.

 – Tech shop organization; organized hoses, cables, ratchet, straps, and miscellaneous tools. Modified shelf space for Combi bins, battery signs/policy up, moved, cables, and chargers, above battery shelf. Drilled metal holes for crisscross rope reinforcement on adjacent shelf wall.

No matter how lost you feel, remember that your whole life has led you here, as a sort of comforting causal tautology. – Yudkowsky

We passed the Tropic of Capricorn, we slept. We passed the Prime Meridian, we slept. We passed the Equator, we slept. The water remains astoundingly blue. We work on several engaging and challenging projects daily in a deep-ocean humidity, all systems go. At days end, we either hide inside or flutter mirthlessly like heavy petals until sunset. 

The sea is everything. It covers seven-tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. – Vonnegut

– Rachael

After flying several hours from Alaska to lower-America, then several more hours over to east-America, then flying 14 more hours over the oceans… I finally made it to Cape Town, South Africa on the afternoon of April 27. After a quick tour of the RV Marcus G Langseth, I unpacked only critical items and fell into a well-deserved slumber in sleep cavern #103. 

April 28: After a generous tour of the 230ft seismic vessel, the other interns (Ray & Colton) and I headed out to explore Cape Town. It turns out that it’s helpful to have the Uber app. Maintain your app, do not be me. We toured the wharf and shopping area, locally known as the V&A Waterfront.

We went to the Victoria Aquarium where I learned how to surf and to telpathically communicate with subequatorial avians, see photos below:

Additonally, we went to the South Africa Trading Post and saw some incredible artworks. Here is a sculpture in front of the trading post overlooking the bay…

April 29: We set sail from Cape Town, South Africa to the city of New York. Good bye Cape Town, I’m sorry my $20 bill was torn and that the local shops wouldn’t let me turn you into any rand.

And now, we work…

April 30: Worked with marine technician Riley rewiring the seapath receivers; pulled out roblox, fed cable through various parts of the ship, crawled into small spaces. Had to fill out paperwork on bridge for permission to feed wire upwards, geared up, went aloft, adhered cable with metal fasteners.

May 1: Climbed up the side of utility closet in the bird lab to remove roblox and feed cable through wall down to the crawl space in the port lab. Organized excess cables in bird lab crawl space to continue feeding cable into the main lab. Removed false walls at top of stairs next to bird room, fed cable through, put walls back and cleaned walls/ceiling.

May 2: Daily walkthrough Wet and Dry Labs (AM/PM). Checked Serial Data updates and maps. Learned how to use and adjust certain settings with the multibeam echosounder. Worked with marine technician Josh in the gun lab learning the basic deconstruction of the air gun, cleaning interior components, testing and rebuilding. Stop looking into the flashing light, Rachael.

May 3: Helped marine technician Josh again, this time to rebuild an airgun cluster; changed main housing, broken spreader bar, and worn flange. Additionally, had a diligent time trying to resolve a seized bolt that occurred during a routine air test^.

May 4: Worked with marine tech program coordinator Cody to learn step-by-step for digibird inspection/calibration/troubleshooting, both in visual and data system. Helped intern Ray with jumper cable project; cable labeling, taping, coiling, and organizing. Assisted marine technician Riley with the server racks; drilling, organizing, zip-tying, lifting, ratcheting, vacuuming, pulling apart, putting together, and labeling various cords and racks.

Been a very rewarding and very fun week here aboard the RV Langseth, very grateful and happy to be here and I’ve said this about one hundred times to anyone that will listen. Quite excited to continue learning under the wings of the fantastic marine technician team while aboard for the next 23 days. (Fyi, the meals are fantastic, so thank you Galley for nourishing us!)

– Rachael 

My name is Rachael Byrd. I received a Bachelor of Arts/Biology from the University of Alaska Southeast. Over the last few years my studies include marine biology, acoustic habitats of marine mammals, and maritime transportation. I have technical experience with passenger vessels and hydrophone to capture underwater acoustics. I’ve spent the majority of my time in Alaska but also studied abroad at the Ningaloo Reef Marine Sanctuary with Murdoch University in Western Australia. 

I’m a licensed merchant mariner, I love: taking things apart, unforeseen events, early mornings, late starts, long walks on the beach, and inclement weather. As a proud UNOLS intern I’m excited to have this opportunity to learn more about open ocean research vessels and marine technology.