Alright, I promised an update and since this is the last day in San Diego before the R/V Sikuliaq departs, I figured it was a good time for one. I landed in San Diego on the 25th of May around 11:00. I was picked up from the airport by my mentor, Steven Hartz, who gave me a brief tour of San Diego before we went to the ship. I was a little nervous, but everyone that I have met on the R/V Sikuliaq has been kind and very helpful. Steve gave me a tour of the ship and after only getting lost once, I think I have finally learned my way around; the R/V Sikuliaq is honestly larger than I thought it was going to be.
I have now spent two full days on the ship assisting where I can as everyone is preparing to leave port. It has been a bit hectic and crowded on deck and so far there hasn’t been too much for me to do. I’ve helped out with unloading boxes of food for the voyage, loading a box with a float for the Jason onto the crane, and lowering the Center Board with the transducer into the Safe position. I have also been learning about the different computer programs and systems that the R/V Sikuliaq has, such as the Olex 3D mapping system and all of the CCTV security cameras. Steve has also had me reading about different subjects and technologies on the ship, such as Serial Ports and the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler.
I have spent time walking around deck and was also able to get off the ship for a while and bike around San Diego and Coronado Island, which were both amazing. The San Diego area is beautiful and with the temperature at around 60-65 degrees, it’s perfect. However, I am more than ready to finally “set sail” and truly begin my internship.
Until next time,
– Hannah Klooster