Hello again!
I can’t believe it has already been a week since I stepped off land. It took about a day to get used to the seas and the maze that is the R/V Thompson, but I instantly felt at home.
We have successfully deployed eight of the 20 Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs) which will live on the seafloor recording earthquake activity over the next 15 months.
I’m now well-versed in the Marine Magnetics SeaSPY2 Operation Manual, as we spent a full day troubleshooting the two SeaSPYs onboard. After seven failed deployments and numerous deck tests, we are up and running again! If anyone is wondering, I am pretty sure it was the addition of plumbing tape at the main tow connector that finally did the trick. I also spent a morning helping fix the magnetometer winch, which is now back in action.
The first deployment of the magnetometer occurred during a deluge (see packing list below). Otherwise, the weather has been great! Swell around eight feet and decreasing, temps around 24°C, and about 80% humidity.
The galley crew has been serving up some amazing meals: fish, scallops, steak, grilled cheese, BLTs, hamburgers… My favorite so far was an asian lunch with glass noodle salad, fried rice, egg rolls, crab salad, and chili sauce.
Free time has been filled with Monopoly Deal, fiber arts, and learning how to splice cable on the aft deck.
Things I wish I packed: foul weather gear, waterproof steel toe boots, peanut butter.
Stay tuned for another week at sea!
Avery
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