Survey Adventures

So, I have been kept quite busy the past week. My FOO (Field Operations Officer) was kind enough to ask our sister ship (the Fairweather) if I could be of any assistance in the field. They agreed to let me tag along on a couple of projects.
On Tuesday (5/22/2012), we drove to a remote location where the Fairweather crew has a tide gauge set up, in order to to do some measurements. While we were out there, one of the NOAA Coprs officers walked me through the entire process of the tide gauge and why we need to take measurements. We also walked around the property and looked at all five of the Geodedic Survey Benchmarks installed.

Chart of Port Ludlow - Tide gauge and survey location

The process of tide gauge surveying is simple; watch the tides, record the high and low tides every six minutes for three hours. We then use our collected data to compare it to the tide gauge sensor data. This will show any discrepencies and really just verifies that the tide gauge itself is functiong properly. After observiwng the tides, we downloaded the most recent numbers from the tide gauge sensor to bring back to the ship and compare.

Observing the tides every 6 minutes for 3 hours.
High and low tides were recorded and averaged.
This infomation was then compared to the data the tide gauge sensor collected...
essentially to verify that the sensors are working properly.

Tripod with optical level viewing the tide gauge

View through the optical level to the tide gauge

Downloading data from the tide gauge sensor

Benchmark

Private dock where the tide gauge sensors are kept

On Wednesday (5/23/2012) We went out on the launch to do some surveying with our multibeams. This was a two-hour voyage just north of Seattle back to Port Ludlow. We ended up having some problems with the CTD (a device used to measure conductivity, temperature and depth in order to calculate the sound velocity in the area of surveying). The sound velocity changes from place to place due to salinity levels, temperatures, etc. Because the CTD wasn't working properly, we had to go back to the ship and try again the following day. It is amazing how many different components are involved in obtaining data. If any one of those components is not working, it can be a great challenge in collecting accurate and valid data.
So, on Thursday (5/24/2012) we went back out on the launch to the same location (with a new CTD) to complete our surveying.

Our course from the ship at the Federal Center South to Port Ludlow where we surveyed

Once we arrived on location (which was about 2 hours from the ship) we cast the CTD. The process for this is fairly simple. You turn on the device, cast it into the water and let it sit for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes you let it drop to the bottom and reel it back up. We then hooked the CTD up to our computers in the launch to download the measurements.

Deploying the launch from the ship

Our computers in the launch

Setting up your systems before during departure to be ready to survey

CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth)

Casting the CTD

CTD in the water

After the cast was complete, we spent the afternoon driving slowly over all the areas in need of surveying, all the while using the multibeams. The multibeam data we collected is stored on an external hard drive that we then plug into the computers on the ship to process the data.
Our Coxswain was nice enough to even let me drive the launch, while collecting data. Here are a few more pictures of the trip to Port Ludlow. It was a bit rainy in the morning but ended up being a beautiful day.

View of Seattle from inside the launch on our way to Port Ludlow

Rainy Seattle morning

Our Coxswain Chris

Sunny afternoon in Port Ludlow

Yea...they let me drive

Back to the ship

Seattle

So, we haven't been moving too much the last couple of days. After heading up the coast of Oregon and Washington, we stopped in Anacortes, WA, (just outside Bellingham) set our compass, then encountered a few more issues. We are now at port in Seattle until further notice. Mostly we are waiting for additional staff to join us after Memorial Day. This means that we will be staying in Seattle for a little over a week before heading to Alaska. Here's a view of Seattle this morning while we were at anker in Puget Sound.

Seattle skyline view from Puget Sound

Just for fun, here are a few more pictures. The first is of me measuring our waterline before and during departure in Newport. We use a handheld laser that reads vertical depth. We record the vertical depth data sets and use them to calculate exactly where the waterline is on the ship. The second photo is of me on the flying deck right after departure from Newport. 

Measuring the waterline

Observing our departure from Newport on the flying deck

That's all I got for now. I will be continuing to work on the ship during the days while we are at port. Mostly I have been learning more about the different software's we will be using to process the raw data collected. 

Some Pictures

Just a few photos of our departure from Newport - Day 1 of our voyage. 

Underway leaving the port

Brandy (Another hydro tech) kickin it in the plotroom

Hardhat hair

Underway - view from the fantail

Sunset from the flying deck

Sunset - View from the fantail

Inside Passage

Day 2: 

Woke up from one of the best nights of sleep I have ever had, thanks to the rocking of the ship and the sounds from the propellers...I could get used to this kind of life.
We are currently heading NNW up the Coast of WA, still towards Bellingham. On our way, we'll pass by Cape Flattery, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, and the San Juan Islands. We are still cruising at 11kn but the swells are reaching 9-12ft which is making the voyage pretty rough. It should calm down once we reach the Inside Passage. I still haven't gotten seasick (YAY!) and I think I am getting used to the motions of the ship. It is, however, very amusing to watch me try to find my sea legs. Maybe I'll get one of the crew members to film me walking around on the deck. I still struggle with that.

Just in case anyone is interested in following our route, click on this link: NOAA Ship Tracker. You have to click on the drop down box and find the Rainier (RA). This should show where we are at all times.
Once we get to Bellingham, WA to calibrate our compass, we will be taking the Inside Passage North, beyond Vancouver Island to our next destination; Ketchikan, AK.
I still don't have internet in my stateroom, so I can't upload photos yet. But hopefully that will be resolved soon.

Underway Continued...

Just a few more tidbits as Day 1 on the Rainier comes to a close. We are sailing North towards Bellingham WA at 11kn. We have 8-9 ft swells about every 9 seconds. It's a bit rough out here...but I had the pleasure of sitting on the fantail for a while...Looking out over the sea and enjoying the sunset break through the clouds onto the waves. We have passed by many whales already (about 200 meters from the ship). Although I haven't gotten to catch a glimpse of them yet, I'm sure there will be many more chances to come. Such a beautiful evening! I'm off to my bunk.
Goodnight!

Underway

Just a quick update while I have a moment. We finally left our home port (Newport, OR) about an hour ago and are heading North towards Bellingham, WA where the compass will be set and calibrated. This should take about another hour. The ship was having a few mechanical issues which is why the voyage was delayed so many days. Everything is fixed now and we are finally underway.
It's been a little rough so far (but I also hear that the Pacific Seas are harder). Luckily I have not felt sick as of yet...fingers crossed that I don't! It's a very bizarre feeling to sit here in the plot room and attempt to concentrate on typing while the ship is all over the place.
I began learning POSPac software yesterday and today. This is a hydrography software that we use to convert raw data from the launches. From what I know, I will most likely start my first shifts as a night processor, taking the raw data directly from the launches and working it over in POSPac. This shift starts at 12:00pm and is quite flexible, depending on how long the launches are out for. Once I get the internet hooked up in my stateroom, I will be uploading photos and videos of my trip so far. I am looking forward to a lot of wildlife sightings (I hear this is a very frequent occurrence), kayaking  if we get the chance, and learning the acquisition and processing procedures of surveying.
That's all I got for now.

Getting Ready for departure on my nautical adventure

NOAA Ship - Rainier

This will be my home for the next two months. It has been quite the adventure getting ready for the trip thus far. NOAA flew me out to Newport, OR to go through all the medical examinations, background investigations, paperwork, etc. While I was there, I got to take a tour of the ship which was really exciting to see all the equipment and technology they have on board. This past weekend I went shopping for various things I will need for the internship. My site supervisor was kind enough to send me a detailed list.
IF you care to know what to bring on a ship to Alaska (during the summer), here are a few of the items:

- Heavy duty rain gear, both coat and pants
- Rubber boots
- Waterproof gloves
- Warm gloves for shore
- Ski goggles
- Warm clothing
- Waterproof bag
- Pocket knife
- Personal gear
- Non-slip shoes for the deck

I ended up getting more odds and ends than probably necessary, but better to be well prepared I say.
The waiting game continues, and I am hoping to hear back from NOAA on the confirmation of my departure soon. As far as I know, the ship is set to leave its home-port, Newport,OR on Monday, May 14th, 2012. I'm getting anxious about the trip and hope I can get everything done in time.