Logbook
June 19, 1999

Wecoma Science Report

This morning (Sat) we are CTD towing the east wall of the caldera and will be working in this area for a few days, trying to get as much done as possible before the Thomas Thompson arrives.

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Life at Sea: Participant Perspective

Not available today.

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We started our day early preparing for a "tow-yo". In 1984 Dr. Ed Baker wanted a better way to collect data with a CTD in the water found near plumes of volcanoes. He coined the term "tow-yo" which means to pull a CTD rosette behind a ship in a saw-tooth or up and down motion. The performance of this type of collection has demonstrated a dynamic accuracy for scientists.

Our first tow lasted over seven hours from 4:30 am to 11:30 am. David Tennant and Sharon Walker, both oceanographers from NOAA/PMEL took turns monitoring the signal (data) highs and lows on the computer. With the push of a button a Niskin bottle is fired, which means - it closes on demand to collect a water sample of approximately 19 liters (almost 5 gallons) in each bottle. The rosette carries 20 bottles on the frame for collection. In order to deploy this scientific equipment, the ship's crew has done a wonderful job of maneuvering our vessel to minimize risk to equipment while maximizing sampling efficiency. They have done a wonderful job.

After the Niskin bottles are carried into the ship's wet lab, water is taken by many different scientists and technicians to begin the collection of data needed for their particular research interest. Rachel Shackelford and Don McGee from U. of Hawaii are interested in the bacteria found in the water sample of the subfloor habitat near the hydrothermal vent and the caldera of the Axial Volcano. They freeze their samples and will return to Hawaii with months of study and research to follow. The information gleaned will help us to better understand the food-chain established in this hydrothermal habitat.

During our tow-yo I joined the bridge just in time to spot five Orcas (Killer whales). The pod had one large whale with a dorsal fin of over five feet. I could see a smaller dorsal fin that looked like a baby or very young whale. It was exciting to see the whales in the wild.

The weather continues to be pleasant. High of 53 degrees today with a 5 ft. swell. The wind speed is 15 knots.

I am beginning to get my sea-legs and hope that tomorrow brings another exiting and interesting day aboard the Wecoma.

Check in tomorrow to see what we are up to ....

Fair seas,
Ms. Deck

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