Category: R/V Hugh R. Sharp Page 4 of 9

Hello all,

              Wow, what a week! I’ve definitely been put to the test with endless amounts of dredging. Who would have thought that dredging would be back breaking work. From the moment you wake up to the moment you sleep, dredge, dredge, dredge. Nothing but eat, sleep dredge, repeat. I’ve never been worked so consistently as this, with 6-on and 6-off, all you want to do it sleep. I couldn’t imagine doing 12 hours straight.

              Let’s begin where I left off. Sunday and Monday (5/26-27), more of HABCAM. I’m realizing now, I haven’t explained what the HABCAM is or does. Since, I didn’t do much on my side, I probably should explain it. The HABCAM is a metal vehicle, equipped with a multitude of sensors, such as fluorimeter, altimeter, sonar, side-scan sonar, temperature and salinity probes, two cameras, and four strobes for the cameras. This system is used to take pictures of the benthic environment, processed for color and then annotated by the science team. This is a less invasive approach to estimating scallop populations then dredging, which I’ll get to later. The science team annotates for fish, rays, skates, and scallops. Since each image has a depth from the bottom using the altimeter, the relative size of the scallop can be estimated from the field of view. Thousands of images are taken and subsequently thousands are annotated by the science team. This system is pretty sensitive due to the type of cables that are used, mainly fiber optics, meaning the ends of the cable need to not have any pinch points of the 10 micrometer glass fibers could break and no information can be transmitted from vehicle to server. Issues have been continual with the HABCAM from the sonars not working properly, to strobes going out, to even camera loss. Some issues like the cameras has been fixed on and off, but the strobes have yet to be corrected. To get decent images, the HABCAM should hover around 2.0 m off the bottom. Since the benthic topography is variable, the science team has access to wire in and wire out to keep it in the sweet spot. As they say, its like playing a delicate game of the claw from an arcade. The only difference is the vehicle is much more expensive than a one-dollar toy. Occasionally, it will crash briefly on a sand bank, but it always recovers immediately. Once the images are annotated, post processing needs to be done on land to then estimate population, in tandem with the dredging.

              Later in the day around noon on Tuesday (5/27), we arrived in Woods Hole, MA where most of the NOAA survey team are based out of. For this leg, it will be mostly a refueling mission, but work on the HABCAM will also take place. I’ve been to Woods Hole in the past as a tourist, so being on the research side here was a dream come true. We tested out two pumps, one gas powered, the other electrical. Although, I was told, if we bring on enough water to use either pump, we have bigger problems. I hope we never actually have to use them. Both worked like a charm, the electrical one, was way stronger than I expected with water shooting four feet up. Shortly thereafter, time for a needed break in Cape Cod. A few of the crew went on out to the local wing house for wings of course. We didn’t stay out very late due to needing to get out early in the morning.

              On Wednesday (5/28), we shipped out later than expected around 1500. This mainly had to due with trying to troubleshoot the issues with the HABCAM such as the strobes, sonar and fiber optics. Our next test sight was 10 hours away to dredging. We checked our surface monitoring system and echosounder, everything checks out.

              On Thursday (5/29), the day has finally come to start a mass of dredging. After breakfast, Christian and I had about an hour until all hell broke loose. We had to tie down the HABCAM with rachet straps and pull enough slack cable to not get hung up when the A-frame payed out. Then we had to reconnect the Starboard winch to the dredge with a shackle.

              Soon we were in position and ready for our first cast. On went our foul weather bibs, steel toe deck boots, gloves, work vest, and helmet. We quickly went outside for some good ol’ fashioned hard work. The dredge needed to be disconnected from the tugger and up went the dredge, then went down to the specified depth from the science team. After 15 minutes or so at the bottom it came up.

              This is the choreographed part of the dredge that takes much time. First, we need to hook the dredge on ramp with the tugger and two lifting straps. Once its on board and pulled as far as it can, we hook a lock chain to it. A scientist then removes a small device that test for pitch, roll and temperature. Then the straps come off and hook the tugger to the bungee/cable on the center winch block on the A-frame. Then we feed the tugger and pull the bungee to get the cable over and hook it to the chain on the back end of the dredge. The dredge goes up to dump its contents, in which Christian and I shake it down with rakes. Then, the end goes down and we pay in the tugger to get the bungee/cable through the winch and free up the tugger. Lastly, we remove the lock chain and the dredge goes back down the ramp where we secure it was some tag lines. All of this takes about ten minutes; quick to learn, but you should go fast. I had to keep jumping over this rock ramp to get to my station on the starboard side. I always fear of falling in at this point, but I’m secure in my abilities to keep me going.

              The fun part begins with shoveling the pile of benthic organisms to the sides of the table for sorting by the scientist. Anything from scallops (the main thing we’re looking for), rays, skates, sand dollars, crabs, hermit crabs, flounder, hake, starfish, shells and many more. Everything needs to be sorted with a majority being in the category of “trash.” All invertebrates have a separate category by species.

              Once all the species were sorted, and the science team has moved all their baskets and buckets into the science van, Christian and I would clean the deck of all excess debris. Christian on the hose and I on the brush, moving all the critters back into the sea. The first couple of dredges were very light with maybe a couple scallops. Our first watch we had enough time for three dredges. Then it was off the bed, leaving Shaun and Huxley with the CTD cast and more dredging.

              For the next couple of days, all we would do is wake, eat, dredge, repeat. Boy what a time to be alive.

              On Thursday, today was very eventful, but also very tiresome. For both watches we did nothing, but dredge, dredge, dredge. A couple of CTDs were sprinkled in, which is very simple. To cast, we would prime the Niskin bottles, take off the cap to the fluorescence, remove the syringe from the pumps filled with Milli-Q water, remove the safety chains, turn the deck box on and start recording. We would signal to the bridge that we were ready, and by using the Knudsen, explain what depth to submerge it. As it is put in the water, the pumps would start, and we would lower it to five meters to remove bubbles and back to the surface to go down again. Christian and I would watch the graphs with salinity, temperature, fluorescence, depth, and oxygen. When recovering it, the bridge would pull it from the water, with Christian and I securing the safety chains, cover the fluorescence, and fill the pumps with Milli-Q water. After the scientist got a water sample, we would re-cock the Niskin bottles and rinse with freshwater. Lastly, we processed the data from the cast using a script that gives us a smooth graph that’s adjusted for ranges and shows only the up-cast.

              After four more dredges for dredging on the first watch and three on the second, the day was over. This was a day of eat, sleep, dredge, repeat. We did see some interesting creatures along the way like a torpedo ray that has electrical discharge of 400 volts to kill fish, which is crazy. I learned how to shuck scallops, which turns out to be quite easy. You have to run a knife along the body until it pops open, then remove the skirt by pushing it up over the meat. Then cut off the meat into a pale. Boy did we have many scallops for some of these dredges. The last one before bed had six or so baskets. We only ever had enough time to do maybe one full basket. From what the other watch told us, they didn’t have very many scallops, mostly trash.

              For Friday, we finished up the last bit of dredging before a couple of days of HABCAMing. When it was pulled up, it was a crazy full. It has not yet been this full since starting. All the way to the brim full of sand dollars. Amazing how much could fit into it. Someone suggested it could hold 2000 lbs. when full. This was definitely full and difficult to get out of the bag. We had to get five guys to shovels some of the contents out to the edges of the table. Some had shovels, some had rakes. All in all it was painstaking process. We eventually got it all out and got the dredge secure. The next major thing was shoveling it all to be sorted. Christian and I were doing our best, but at some point, Christian got down to start moving baskets to the edge of the deck. We eventually got it all, washed the deck and finally were done. Next was the process of unrigging the dredge to get the HABCAM back into the water. We hooked to dredge to the tugger and pulled it on board. We hooked it to the lock chain and rachet strapped it down. We unhooked it from the starboard side winch, and it was as good in place.

              Once getting to the location, a CTD cast was in order and just like before, got it ready, cast it, captured bottles, recovered it, cleaned it, and processed the data. All was smooth moving. Now came time to drop the HABCAM. No issues in dripping, with rest of day for some relaxing time after the past few days of nonstop work. We went back to dredging on Saturday, on our second watch, with a total of three cast getting boulders, scallops, and mussels.

              A hard week has passed with a few more to come. I’m seeing the important hard work that goes into surveying. Every task has its purpose and varying level of difficulty. I’ve had to keep my mind straight for the task at hand to keep everything moving smoothly, even with little sleep. Sometimes, sleeping is very difficult with the rocking, but we all power through. We strive for the best data we can collect. I appreciate this experience, no matter how hard it may be at times. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Best,

-Sebastian D.

“Red sky in morning, sailors take warning” – I learned this adage while at sea in the Pacific, and it is just as true for the Atlantic. A distant low pressure system can create long period swell that rocks your boat. Thankfully I’d earned my sea legs some time ago, and when getting underway for part 2 of the Scallop survey, I did not join the science party in “manning the rails”, so to speak!

Continuing our transect pattern with the towed HABCAM ROV (seen below), there was little to do on the technician side, save for the occasional technical error. Another maritime phrase came to mind as I sat, legs atrophying, trying to keep busy during watch – “Sailing is a continuum of boredom, interrupted only by moments of shear choas”. Luckily, the deck and tech teams respond quickly in these moments, pulling the vehicle from the water when power or data was lost. I was able to assist in the retrieval of the vehicle, and assist the marine technician and science team in complicated retermination of the fiber optic cable that connects the HABCAM to the ship’s data display.

Now working with a less-technically oriented supervisor, who’d also graduated from a maritime academy, I spent my days trying to fulfill the role of the Third Mate. I assisted in deck maintenance, safety checks for equipment, drills, and even installed a man overboard tracking system on the bridge. Complacency breeds danger, so I wake up every day resolute to learn something and jump in to new opportunities. This included being able to go over the side to tighten the HABCAM ramp during an unusually pleasant day in Wood’s Hole, Massachusetts. After showing initiative and know-how on deck, I’m now trusted to help moor and navigate the ship, which is a great feeling for a fresh Third Mate/Tech!

We’re out to sea again, and thankfully will be more active on deck with the HABCAM towing complete. Next comes dredging, shoveling, and sorting the sea bed for scallops and other marine life! More soon, and smooth sailing to my fellow interns.

-Shaun

Hello all,

                Another week has gone by. More HABCAM was done with problems along the way, a port stop to fuel and change crew and scientist, and back underway for more HABCAM this time with minimal problems. Soon we will be up at the NOAA port in Woods Hole for a fuel top off on Monday.

                For Saturday evening, Huxley and I started painting the sorting table as it was getting very rusty. After a few hours of being outside, we ventured in to where Huxley started to show me a few important knots that he uses the most frequently; the clove hitch, bowline, and half-hitch. I began practicing and some of the scientist were also trying to learn as well. I went over tying off the cleat and our shift was just about over.

                For Sunday morning, the HABCAM was pulled once more because power was lost. Chuck, Huxley and I recovered it with ease using the tugger and A-frame. I secured it by using two of the knots I learned. The science team then started connecting cables and seeing what they could do to get it going again. Somehow, they got the HABCAM working and Huxley, Chuck and I put it back in the water with no problems. For now, the HABCAM is working, one of the cameras stopped working and two lights stopped as well, but they could still get images. During the end of the second watch of the day, we pulled the HABCAM again. This time Christian, Huxley and I went down to the winch room to examine the slip ring and the cable box. Reinforcement to the fiber optic cable was added and a polish to the fiber itself. Not much else can be done until hitting land.

                For Monday, again issues with the camera feed of the HABCAM which resulted in recovering it. Another polish, but this time only one camera feed was present. The decision to put it back in was made even though we had little feed and no logging potential. Since it was the last day of this leg, getting the data was more important than having real-time access to it.

                Tuesday morning was met with a full steam to port to unload, refuel and have a crew and scientist change. The day was spent cleaning up, making sure the loggers were working and much waiting. We didn’t arrive to port in Lewes, Delaware until 2300. Huxley showed Shaun and I how easy it is to tag off the ship. The first leg was finally over! Bed quickly came as we all needed to be awake for 0700 for some minimal maintenance.

                Wednesday came quick and without warning. The crew was up for 0700 breakfast. A couple of tasks were needed to get done to make the quick change as easy as possible. One, tighten the bolts to the HABCAM slide; two, laundry for all the linens; three, get food; four, paint sorting table; five wait for the next batch of scientist and crew. I helped with tightening down the bolt, but the main thing was the food. I made a 5-hour run for food with the cook to feed ~20 people for the next two and a half weeks. We ended up with three carts of food and one pallet cart of drinks. Feeding this many people is a big undertaking; I appreciate the effort put in to feed us all. It took us over an hour to put everything in the car. A quick ride home and quick unload and the new scientist and volunteers arrived. Shaun, Huxley and I wee scrambling to get the linens clean, but we eventually got it. The other few tasks were completed as I was away. Also, the HABCAM was temporarily fixed by the oncoming lead scientist, which ended up lasting until the next time we hit port. Later that night, we set sail again which was just as easy the first time as this time. At this point, Shaun and I switched watches to be with the other mentor; now, Shaun with Huxley and I with Christian. I am currently on the 0600-1200 and 1800-0000 watch. Soon Christian and I started up the Surface Monitoring System (SMS) and moved the keel to the flush position. We made our round by checking the deck, milli-q station, the SMS, and the WinchDAC (measure tension, pay out and speed of all the winches). Quickly, Christian and I went to bed.

                For Thursday, we started with breakfast and checking the deck. Everything seemed to be in order. We still had a few hours until the HABCAM drop, so we started tidying up our office space. Once arriving at the first site, Tim (engineer), Christian and I dropped the HABCAM into the water. A little bit of a late start though due to the HABCAM sonar not working, but the scientist went ahead with it.  For the night watch, the only hiccup that happened was the winch controls were lost for the science team to control the height of the HABCAM. The ship sped up and Tim, Christian and I went to the winch room and restarted the winch box. The science team got controls back with the rest of the night being great.

                For Friday and Saturday, not too much happened. Mostly we monitored our systems, looked for fishing gear to avoid in the water, and completed rounds. I learned how to clean bolts with a wheel brusher and some information about the CTD setup and calibration. Some more organizing was in order, which I learned the location of more replacement gear as needed.

                I’m definitely learning a lot over the last week, the amount of work that needs to be done has decreased as the HABCAM for us is more hands off. I am able to learn about the systems on board and how to set them up if need be. Christian has helped me out with continued questions I’ve had and I’m grateful for it. I’m building up the confidence in the marine technician field. It seemed very daunting, but getting more familiar with everything, it seems completely doable given the right mentors. Another week down, four more to go!

Best,

-Sebastian D. 5/25/19 EDT 2330

After departing from Lewes, Delaware for sea, I began my watch routine aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp. We’re supporting NOAA Fisheries in their annual sea scallop survey for the East coast, which approximates the health and population of scallops and other organisms to prepare allowable fishing limits for the region’s fishermen. This is done through a combination of dredging and deployment of the HABCAM – a towed camera vehicle that takes millions of pictures of the bottom. While the HABCAM is in the water, there’s little to do besides learn the daily routine of a marine technician – including working with the vessel’s surface mapping system, CTD, data acquisition network, and assisting the science team in any of their technical needs. My experience on vessels has helped a lot in acclimating to the watch schedule and vessel life, really allowing me to hit the ground running in terms of learning. Although this leg of the cruise only saw me participate in one dredge, I have never been happier working with a team to essentially haul “dirt and critters” from the sea floor, knowing I’m playing a role in a significant scientific mission. I’m also very pleased to say that the very first vessel I’ve been able to pilot after receiving my Third Mate’s license was the Hugh R. Sharp, and I’m thankful for the crew for giving me many opportunities to cross train between the deck and science departments. More to come! – Shaun Teter

                Hello all,

                Over the past week I spent my time aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp, learning about the systems, running cable, and deployment and recovery of a HABCAM system and a dredge system. I spent my time learning under two gentlemen, a pervious MATE intern and current marine technician, Christian Kernsian, and another former MATE intern and current deckhand/marine technician, Huxley. I’ve bonded with the other intern Shaun Teter over our different experiences from his time being from California Maritime Academy and mine, at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. We seem to have had similar awe in being chosen for such a huge internship both for the experience and our careers. I will breakdown the first week by showing the best and worst parts as of yet.

                Arriving on Sunday, I spent my morning traveling to first the Philadelphia airport, where I met Shaun, then a connection to the Salisbury Airport in Maryland. The head of the marine technicians at the University of Delaware, Timothy Deering, met us at gate as soon as we arrived, which wasn’t hard as it was a single gate airport. We had quick chats about what we would be doing on board, the people we would be shadowing, and some life advice about Shaun and I’s next steps in our careers. As we traveled to the University of Delaware’s Marine Operations location, “you don’t have to know everything” really started ringing in my ears. Being that I don’t know specifically the type of work a marine technician does, reassurance that not being perfect is part of the job and learning how to adapt quickly may be just as important. When we arrived, Mr. Deering showed us the vessel from the deck, wet/dry labs, galley, 01 deck, bridge, below deck, auxiliary room and engine room. He quickly explained where our state room was and explained to us a quick overview of the ships systems that we would be responsible for, the Surface Monitoring System, cameras, CTD maintenance and any other task the science team needs as far as technology is concerned. Mr. Deering departed for a few hours leaving us with the “Dummies Guide to the R/V Hugh R. Sharp” which was a wealth of knowledge on procedures, instrument information, and general troubleshooting. After dinner, our day was officially over for an early morning tomorrow at 0645.

                On Monday, Shaun and I met the crew at their early morning meeting. We finally met Christian and Huxley who would be our main mentors for the next 6 weeks. The first day was mostly preparing everything for when we ship on Wednesday. Our first order of business was Christian showing us to the systems that we will be working with, where to look for calibrations, how the Surface Monitoring System (SMS) works, where its located in the auxiliary room and how to flush it with freshwater when flow rates get too low or once every 24 hours. We then traveled to Mr. Deering’s office where our first problem was given to us, the intake for the SMS was having issues with bubbles getting in, so he suggested that the intake for the wet lab be switched with the intake for the SMS and have a backup pump to bypass if need be. After a couple of hose clamps were removed and switched, the SMS was ready for a test. We tested it by flushing it and then pumping in seawater.

                 Next, we were asked to run a VGA connection from the winch room to dry lab that was connected to the winch room camera, a quick an easy task for us interns. Christian, Shaun and I then learned how to terminate the VGA cable with a connector to get signal going. I’m understanding the necessity for learning and adapting.

Then we moved two fridges out of the dry lab to make room for more counter space for scientist. The third was left for tomorrow as it was much heavier and required more maneuverability. I’m quickly realizing that this career will be interesting and require much work.

                The last major item to be addressed was the Knudsen (echosounder) was not transmitting data to the science team’s monitoring computer.  The issue stemmed from a previous termination of a serial cable that ended up shorting the serial splitter which caused the computer to restart and not transmit any data. Mr. Deering had to step in to test each end of the connection to find the source of the problem with it being faulty wire connectors. Once, replaced with another splitter, all systems seemed to work better. A day well done!

                For Tuesday, the splitter shorted again because of trying to secure the splitter, this time a quicker fix, but still took much time. We also finally removed the freezer and had to remove some items from the wall to make it fit on through. After that, most of the day was pretty tame. Not much was required as far as us interns. The science team was having issues with the fiber optics cable that ran to the HABCAM system, a system of taking consecutive images at depth while recording different environmental parameters such as salinity, depth, temperature, fluorescence, pitch, and roll. This was a bit beyond us so most of the day was spent with Shaun and I conversing over experiences at sea. His being very different as he was aboard training vessels and commercial vessel to learn to be maritime personnel where I spent most of my experiences as part of the science team. For dinner, we met the volunteers for the science team and had dinner at the local Irish pub, an exciting start to the week.

                For Wednesday, we finally set sail! Unfortunately, we set sail later than expected, around 0830. Before leaving, we conducted static test on the fiber optic cable at 5000 lbs. for five minutes to make sure the connection would be stable. After leaving, Christian showed us the procedure for starting the logs for the SMS, then starting the flow from the intake and making sure all values being recorded were correct. Around this time, we talked about watch schedules with Huxley and I on the 0000-0600 and 1200-1800 and Christian and Shaun on the opposite until the next leg.

The first watch was Huxley and I, where the first HABCAM cast took place. It was test to make sure all systems were running. Huxley, Chuck (engineer) and I set the first cast. Huxley showed me what to do and how to coordinate with Chuck when lowering the HABCAM into the water. Once in, our job was done, and it was up to the science team to control it from there. A few minutes later, we picked it up using the winch and tugger cable. The recovery was performed better than when deploying it for the first time. Soon thereafter, we made another deployment this time for a full 36 hours. The rest of the time was Huxley showing me the system some more and different task that need to be performed every so often such as cleaning the filter to the pump when getting clogged. Our watch was over very quickly and another day over.

For Thursday, now is time for the reality of marine technician work, when everything is going as planned, there is not too much work us to do. Huxley and I did not have much to do in regard to science, but some housekeeping task were in order for our 0000 watch. We cleaned the bathrooms, took the trash to the bow storage and drilled out some broken plugs from the deck. Our watch was quick, but more was sure to come later, so I better count my blessings. On the second watch of the night, the only notable thing was I cleaned and flushed the SMS system by myself when the flow rate was below 45 mL/s.

For Friday, the most eventful day as of yet, starting at 1100 yesterday the 17^th, lunch was in order with chicken parmesan sandwiches. Very shortly afterwards, the fun began. We were finally in the midst of scallop dredge instead of the HABCAM. First, Huxley, Chuck and I retracted the HABCAM to the port side deck as always. We had the main winch drag it to the surface and the smaller winch pull it aboard. Once it was secure, we tied of the cable to the HABCAM and were ready to start getting the dredge together. A few steps were taken to get it ready. On the previous watch, I watched a POV video of Christian getting the dredge back on board from last year, which helped me figure out what to do for this dredge. First, unsecured the rolled-up metal bag from the from metal beam. This unrolled the bag to place down the ramp. Next, we secured the dredge to the winch. We had to find a shackle that fit around the ring which took a few attempts and a little hammering. Then I had to clip the metal cable on the port side winch block to the winch attached to the table and clip the other end to the metal chain on the back end of the dredge where the bag ends to unroll it. We secured the front of the dredge to a lock chain, so it didn’t move during this process. Once unrolled, we ran the cable back through the port side winch block, unclipped it from the table winch, and had the dredge raised by the center winch. Chuck let it down into the water and the first dredge was started.

                There was a miscommunication with the science team about letting the dredge into the water, a misfire of sorts being that they didn’t know we started it so their timing was off. We figured we would have to cast again once it came aboard. Now comes the fun part, as the dredge came up, Huxley and I attached two hooks to either side of the dredge and pulled it aboard using the table winch. From there we locked it in place and disconnected the dredge from the table winch. I grabbed the cable attached to the bungee on the port side winch block, then fed it to the other side where we connected it to the back side of the dredge. Raising it up it was clear that the rope bag on the inside was dislodged from the metal mesh making it difficult to empty the bag. After man attempts at dumping the bag with racks and shovels, we decided as is was good enough for the science team to sort out the pile. The dredge was pulled back onto the ramp and tied off. Huxley and I started shoveling the pile of sand dollars, star fish, fish, scallops and other marine life to the edge of the table to allow the sorting to take place. Once the table was clear, we pulled up the dredge again to finish dumping it onto the table. We repeated the process as before, but this time the bag was empty. Another sorting effort and we were able to start figuring out a solution to the bag problem.

                The first idea was to lift the metal bag on itself to possibly move the rope bag into place and secure it, but the capabilities made it difficult to get enough reach. The final solution was the get the crane and move the bag to the deck for manual reconnection. A couple of tag lines were attached, and the crane picked it up gently. We place it on the starboard side and ratcheted it down. Then the crane was used to grab the center of the metal mesh to allow movement of the rope bag. Pete (Scientist), Huxley and I started attaching the bag to the mesh with metal wire on all sides, then lifted to the table to get the underside of the bag as well. Shortly after, with three hours in, we sent another dredge out, this time much smoother. The pull up was the same, with Huxley and I hooking the dredge and pulling it up with table winch, then getting the cable on the port side winch block to hook the metal back, thus emptying the bag fully on the first try. We shovel the results to the edge of the table for sorting. As the science team was doing their procedures, out watch was over with a HABCAM pull, two dredges, and a fixed bag. Dinner was a delicious feast of ribs, mac and cheese and salad.

                As for the next watch at 2300, it started with Christian having issues with the CTD files not running in a batch scripting process properly. Errors with fluorescence and oxygen sensors were unfortunately occurring. No data seemed to have been recorded on these sensors. I tried looking at the scripts to see where possible errors were, but I couldn’t seem to find the source. I found in the Dummies Guide a manual way of getting the CTD files processed. After processing with unit conversion, wild edit, and serial plot, I may have found the issues. I looked at the **.cnv file which showed all the data points and the three sensors had corrupted data. For the fluorescence, it was reading -73, I suppose is its NaN and for oxygen large values, which again might be its NaN. I also tried files from a previous cruise with varied results, but it seems as though the cast did not record for those sensors. Since Christian was asleep at this point, I put a pin in it until he woke up. From there, not much occurred. I mostly talked with the science team about various subjects. We talked about fish species and graduate school while they were working the HABCAM (it was back in the water while asleep). Time passed relatively quickly with breakfast ending the day, sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, and French toast, my favorite. Another bedtime for me.

                Friday, another afternoon watch mostly uneventful. All systems seemed to have been running smoothly so again not much to do for the next six hours. I ended up helping Huxley do a bit of painting on the sorting table as it is very rusted from years of use. I talked more with science team about various subjects, but not much work was needed to be done.

                When I get to port, I will upload a few images.

Best,

-Sebastian D. 5/18/19 EDT 1937

Huxley and I pulling the HABCAM on 5/19/2019

The Marine Technicians Command Center

Hello all,

              Tomorrow, I am heading to Delaware for a six-week adventure aboard the R/V Hugh R. Sharp out of the University of Delaware working with scallops. After graduating from the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg in May of 2018 with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy, I spent my time in two very different internships that lead me to applying to MATE. I had no experience on decks before graduating, but quickly after I’ve racked up quite a few days at sea. Both internships were part of the USF College of Marine Science, a graduate studies college focusing in oceanography. I started in the Ocean Circulation Lab, where I gained experience in mooring deployment and bottom mount recovery. I learned about various meteorological instruments and how to retrofit housings, calibrate, download data and secure to buoys for deployment. During bottom mount recovery, I learned about ADCPs and got certified for science diving. From there, I was led into a position with the Institute for Marine Remote Sensing (IMaRS), where I learned about image processing, computer networks, and biological sampling methods. I had multiple opportunities to cast CTDs aboard the R/V Walton Smith along the Florida Keys and into Florida Bay for biological samples of algae. I’ve spent one to nine days at a time aboard research vessel working hard.

              I learned about the MATE internship from my mentor, Jason Law, out of the Ocean Circulation Group. Upon hearing about it, my world changed. The more I read about marine technician work, the more I wanted to be a part of this program. It relates all my interest of the science on the ocean, working with instruments, working with scientist and crew, and gathering data. The adaptability is very enticing and working on decks is highly desirable. I’m looking very forward to the next six-weeks. I’ve never had an opportunity to work with HABCAMs or scallop dredging, but I’m willing and ready to give it all I’ve got.

              Last day of preparing, I’m finalizing all my gear and preparing for a long flight up to Delaware. The most nerve-racking part of any cruise is not having everything I need, but once out to sea, I’ll work with what I’ve got. I can’t wait for tomorrow and meet my mentors and the other intern, Shaun Teter.

Best,

-Sebastian D.

Leg 2 of 3 of the annual Atlantic scallop survey aboard the Hugh R. Sharp, and I’m busily shoveling all manner of marine muck in front of a team of dedicated volunteers.  The dredge net, deployed over and over again at stations across Georges’ Bank, hauls back everything from scallops to monkfish (pictured), all of which are measured and analyzed by the NOAA team on board for the survey. Even in the howling wind and rain, Helly Hansens coated in mud and marine viscera, my enthusiasm does not wane. That is, until I watch the tension gauge on the dredge winch spike to a healthy 12,000 pounds, and we haul up a giant bag of rocks. Safety is still the primary concern here, but any missteps or environmental interference in the deployment or recovery process of the net can cause it to “flip” underwater, essentially dumping the dredge load back into the ocean, or even tearing the bag. This leg featured 5 flips (one by yours truly) and 2.5 bag tears, a new record!

In all seriousness, there’s still much to be learned in the dredging operation. My deck safety training comes in useful here, managing winches and the A-frame in a careful dance of hydraulics, wire and mud to get the science team the samples they need. Every few stations, I’ve been able to individually operate the vessel’s CTD. It boasts very impressive, almost completely hands free system, allowing the technician to stay stationed in the data acquisition room, watching the live data stream and communicating the deployment of the CTD to a remote operator. The dredge operations operate almost like an assembly line, but are a welcome break from the endless HABCAM towing days. With leg 2 complete, we enjoy a brief stop in Wood’s Hole, MA, before heading out for the final leg of the survey. More soon!

Having recently graduated from the California Maritime Academy as a licensed Third Mate and aspiring marine technician, I am eager to begin my career in supporting marine research at sea. I’ve had the great honor of beginning my path with the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) program, which will place me on the research vessel Hugh R. Sharp in a few days’ time.

While not my first time aboard a research vessel, nor my first time at sea, the MATE experience will be a new and immeasurably important experience to me. To prepare for the extensive hands-on experience and networking opportunities I will receive, I’ve spent time reviewing numerous marine science and technology-related topics while reflecting on the experiences in research support that I have had so far. My past experience leading research cruises and working with conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) sensors should show in my time aboard.

Waiting for me is a red-eye flight and rain on the East coast, but I still look forward to bringing my skill set in both marine technology and maritime operations to support the crew aboard the Sharp.

More soon, and smooth sailing to my fellow MATE interns.

– Shaun Teter

Three days ago I said good-bye to the R/V Hugh R Sharp and returned home. I’ve been looking back on my six weeks onboard the ship and reflecting on everything I experienced and learned. It was an absolutely incredible experience, which I will never forget! 

The back half of leg 3 saw us return to George’s Bank one more time for four days of HABCAM work. We deployed it a few miles off of Cape Cod and proceeded to run transects for nearly four days before we pulled it to deploy four dredges. It went by far to quickly and before I knew it we were headed back to Woods Hole! We got an amazing farewell from George’s Bank. Soon after pulling out last dredge and turning for Woods Hole we steamed straight into a feeding frenzy of 3-4 dozen whales. We all marveled as we watch them feed and breach at sunset accompanied by countless dolphins. 

Upon returning to Woods Hole the following morning, we had a rapid 4 hour turn around where we offloaded all of the NOAA scientists gear including: three dredges, the HABCAM, and all of the computer equipment located in the dry lab. By 9:30 we were off the dock and headed back for Lewes, Delaware. After a 30 hour steam, during which we cleaned the entire ship, we arrived there and spent the next two days reconfiguring the ship for its next research cruise. It is truly amazing how modular the Sharp is. In only a few hours we had completely reconfigured the entire aft deck removing the sorting table, HABCAM ramp, UNOLS lab van, and inserting a two ton steel wedge into the space where the sorting table ramp lay. The result, a totally open aft deck ready for a new lab van and a new mission! 

I’d like to thank the techs, scientists, and crew of the Sharp that I lived and worked with these past few weeks. I learned so much from you all and I sincerely appreciate your kindness and all you taught me! Being on the Sharp was a dream experience and I cannot wait to continue to peruse my dream of working as a Marine Tech and get back out there as soon as possible! 

Thank-you for following along with my trip and I’ve uploaded images to all of my previous posts which was not possible during my cruise due to poor internet. 

Cheers! 

Charlie Brooks 

Its been another busy week on the Sharp during the first half of leg 3! We left Woods Hole last week and headed back to Georges Bank, but to the southern end this time. Whereas leg one and two were extremely dredge heavy, with over 80 dredges during leg two, this leg has been primarily HABCAM oriented. We conducted maybe a dozen dredges once we reached our survey area, and then the HABCAM went into the water for over five days. This definitely slowed things down for the techs, but allowed me to focus my learning elsewhere for a few days. I have gotten more familiar with the Sharp’s systems and have been in charge of doing daily data backups, system checks, and processing winch data into plots. The thing I’ve most enjoyed in this down time has been learning more about the CTD! My watch partner Drew has walked me through the carrousel, helping me visually identify all the sensors and instruments and we’ve discussed common issues and troubleshooting. He also helped me delve into the software where I learned how to do my own CONFILE, the file that contains all the calibration info for the sensors, and setup my own PSA, which displays a wealth of information/tools for use during CTD deployments. 

We pulled the HABCAM out of the water this morning and switched back over to dredging for 12 hours before we return to Woods Hole for a brief fuel stop. We secured the dredge within the last hour and have turned towards land! After arriving tomorrow morning we will be briefly refueling before departing for a final four days on George’s Bank later that same day. 

I’m already looking forward to getting back offshore for our final days!