Ketchikan, Alaska

ARRIVAL
After cruising through Canadian waters, we finally arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska yesterday morning (6/8/2012). Two launches were deployed at 08:00 in order to survey parts of Ward Cove (just north of Ketchikan). As mentioned before, our launches are equipped with RESON multi beam sonars which is what we use to acquire our data. (For more information on the equipment on the launches, see the 'About Tab' on my blog.)

After the launches returned, we took their acquired data and began processing it. It is the night processors job to take the raw data and work it. We use a variety of different software programs to manipulate the data into something usable. This is another project I have been working on since boarding the ship in May. I have gone through a variety of training modules in order to familiarize myself with these programs.

The Rainier in Canada



Canada




Arrival in Ketchikan, Alaska



Rainier Launch 2803 off to so some surveying

DRILLS
Going back a few days, just as we left Seattle, we ran some additional emergency drills. This included 'fire emergency' and 'abandon ship' drills. Everyone on the ship has a job during these drills (and/or in case of an actual emergency). The fire team suits up in their fire fighting gear and everyone else reports to their stations. My station/team is assigned to damage control during a fire emergency. The abandon ship drill requires us to report to our stations where our assigned life raft is and don our survival suits.

Fire team getting into place

Josh in his survival suit

While our launches were out surveying yesterday, a team on the ship was running man overboard drills. This is performed by throwing a buoy overboard and attempting to retrieve it. It can be a difficult task keeping an eye on an object in the ocean. During this drill, the ship would make turns about in order to maneuver as close as possible to the buoy. I have to say, there is great comfort in knowing that I am in capable hands on this ship.

Our man overboard buoy

After a day of processing data I went out on the fantail to watch the sunset. I cannot begin to describe how beautiful it is here. Even as gorgeous as the pictures turned out, it can't compare to the real thing.

CURRENT COURSE
We are now heading toward the Gulf of Alaska. It will be two days in open waters before we hit Chirikof Island (just west of Kodiak). Once we arrive in Chirikof, we will anchor for a few days and continue some survey projects and tide gauge installations.

On a side note: today has been amazing! I got to see two humpback whales breach the surface. They were jumping about and waving. Unfortunately they were too far away to capture any pictures, but it was an amazing sight. I also saw a few dolphins, a sea lion and....a glacier. As we passed by Glacier Bay National Park, we got a great view of Brady Glacier. I'll try to get those photos up soon.

Current Location

Route from Glacier Bay National Park to Chirikof Island