“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