Kodiak, Alaska

So, we are currently at port at the Coast Guard Station in Kodiak, Alaska. Earlier this week we went to Chirikof Island (just southwest of Kodiak Island) to check out some of our survey areas. After that we cruised up to Kodiak for the weekend. It has been fairly cold and grey since arriving in Kodiak.

A crew going to check out Chirikof Island on a skiff

Coming into Kodiak



Kodiak, Alaska





TRAINING
Yesterday we spent the day split up in groups learning and practicing boat maneuvering. The first half of the day, my group ran through various evolutions in a launch. The second half of the day was spent training in a skiff. The purpose of this training is to get acquainted and comfortable with the boats so, in case of an emergency, each of us will know how to take over and get back to the ship safely. It was a very active day.

The different drills we went through included: coming along side, man overboard drills, pivot turns on the skiff, line handling, and overall boat safety.
Coming along side was the first thing we learned how to do. Since I have zero boating experience, it was interesting to get to do this. Our process involved coming at the target (this can be a pier, the ship, etc.) at a 45 degree angle then sliding the boat into the desired spot. I was able to practice this maneuver enough until I was comfortable performing this task on both the launch and the skiff. In addition to coming along side, we learned beach landings. This is for a situation where we are unloading people/gear/supplies from the bow. There are many important things to be aware of in this situation. Mostly, you need to be aware of the depth, any obstacles like rocks or boulders, currents, tides, waves, etc.

The man overboard drills involve alerting the coxswain of the location of the lost person/item. Once it is called out, several (or all) persons on the boat, point in the direction the coxswain needs to go for pick up. Someone else will grab the boat hook and retrieve the lost person once along side. Each of us got a chance to be the driver.
Man overboard drills differ a bit when on the skiff. Since it is a much faster boat, we learned to do pivot turns at full speed to retrieve a lost person. Full speed in these boats can be up to 30 knots.

Man overboard drills

After alerting the coxswain of a man overboard situation, we must point at the person overboard at all times. 

Each of us got many chances to drive the boats, learning and practicing coming along side, man overboard drills, etc.

We also learned beach landings on both the skiffs and launches

Brandy driving the skiff, practicing coming along side

Me learning pivot turns on a skiff



Brandy executing a pivot turn

It's very strange being in a place that stays light for so long. I'll be out at 10:30 at night and it feels like the afternoon. Alaska is a very different lifestyle.
I have taken to playing hacky sack on the fantail with my shipmates after work, while watching the sunset.

Sunset on our way to Kodiak at 10:15pm

As far as I know, the plan is to re-fuel on Monday and head back to Chirikof Island where we will be surveying. This will be another great chance to get some more hands-on experience with acquiring and processing data.
Until then, here we are in Kodiak.