Logbook
June 21, 1999

Wecoma Science Report

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Life at Sea: Participant Perspective

PERSPECTIVE ON NeMO 99

Bob Embley

Bob Hi, I'm Bob Embley, Chief Scientist of the NeMO 99 expedition. I'm a senior scientist with NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory based in Newport, Oregon. This is the first full day at sea, but I and many others have spent the past 5 days loading scientific supplies and gear on the T.G. Thompson, which will serve as our research platform this year. In some ways the time preceding the cruise is the most difficult and filled with a sort of frenetic anticipation. When the ship finally leaves on a voyage far offshore, the question that always comes to mind is-- What did I forget? The answer is, fortunately- rarely anything important! It's been a very busy year. In fact, we have spent much of the past nine months since NeMO98 dealing with the data collected on that expedition. It's a scientist's obligation and privilege to analyze and disseminate information as quickly as possible after collection. Several major avenues were used to do this. First, we wrote a summary article for the newsletter of the American Geophysical Union (EOS), which appeared as a front page article in the May 11, 1999 issue. Second we participated in a special section of papers presented at the San Francisco meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco in December. We were also able to organize a special section of a journal ( Geophysical Research Letters) devoted to initial results from the 1998 cruises following the eruption. In the midst of this, I and others spent considerable time planning the NeMO99 expedition, which left port less than 9 months after the NeMO98 expedition returned. I am again privileged to lead this talented and diverse group of scientists out to Axial Volcano. The science party consists of 33 scientists, engineers, and technicians this year (this includes 7 in the ROPOS group), and includes specialists in seafloor volcanology, microbiology, vent biology, chemistry, mineralogy, and ocean engineering. This year we have 9 graduate students in the various disciplines, all of whom will be devoting some or all of their thesis work to results from the NeMO program. My role as chief scientist is to coordinate the science operations, both within the science party and between the science party, ROPOS group and the ship's personnel, and to make sure (as well as possible) that everyone comes away with their most critical data sets. Hopefully we will be as fortunate with the weather and operations as we were last year. We are all looking forward to seeing what the eruption site looks like this year. We welcome all of you back with us at Axial Volcano and hope that you will enjoy the next few weeks with us out here!

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Teacher At Sea Logbook

Wecoma Teacher Log

Thompson Teacher Log

Wecoma Teacher at Sea Log

Day 6, Monday 6/21/99

On the stern of the Wecoma is a large A-frame and winch for use on deployment of heavy scientific equipment. Dr Richard Feely, an oceanographer from NOAA/PMEL, gave me operating instructions on the use of the winch: how to pay out the wire; what to say to the crew and bridge while serving as the operator. Our mission was to set up the rosette with MAPR (Miniature Autonomous Plume Recorders) strapped to the base of the frame. This cast will be the first time this technique will be tried. The MAPR's are self-contained instruments that record data from temperature, pressure and nephelometer sensors.

Using the dry-lab's computer, data collected from this cast will be saved on computer disk. Sharon Walker, NOAA oceanographer, will be using the information to detect hydrothermal temperature and optical anomalies. These samples and records give the scientists a clearer picture of the plume in the water column. It is only in the past few cruises to the Axial Volcano site that these detailed records have been kept. Our knowledge of hydrothermal vents and plumes is growing at a rapid rate through the work of the scientists.

The weather has been constant over the day. High in the mid 50's, winds 15 knots with seas of 4-5ft.

A highlight of the afternoon was spotting 2 Sei whales off the starboard side of our vessel. I was able to watch them move across the horizon for almost 15 minutes. A field guide was helpful in identifying this mammal. Watching its blow and measuring the distance to its dorsal fin, along with size and shape helped the identification process.

I continue to observe how well this ship functions 24 hours a day. Amazing.

Come aboard tomorrow for more information on the EOI Program and it's scientists.

Fair seas,
Ms. Deck

Thompson Teacher at Sea Log #2 Monday 6/21/99

Our adventure began at about 1400 (2:00 p.m.) yesterday when we finally set sail from the Port of Victoria. At about 1845 (6:45 p.m.) we stopped and tested the ROV ROPOS in deeper water to check the various systems and give it a pressure test. The test was carried out in about 28 meters of water. All systems appeared to be working fine so it ROPOS was brought back aboard and tied down for the voyage. Getting an ROV off and on a ship is no easy task. Each time ROPOS leaves the ship, safety measures must be taken to ensure that it won't come crashing back into the boat due to the never ending undulations of the water. To sufficiently secure ROPOS from swinging free, 5 lines are manned from various angles and they provide tension so that ROPOS can be lifted off the deck and place directly into the water behind the ship. A chief mate (person in charge of conducting back deck operations) directs the crane operator along with those manning the lines. Once ROPOS is in the water and after it has completed its mission, 3 cable lines are attached when it reaches the surface. These provide the same function coming back on board as the five manned lines going out. These 3 lines are powered with winches which are each manned by crew members who know what's going on. Keeping ROPOS safe and secure is no easy job, nor is it one that is taken lightly. If there is a down time on a scientific voyage, we experienced it late last night and earlier this morning while still in transit to the field site. Labs were empty and the technicians and scientists that man them were not to be found. The effects of being at sea could also have something to do with this. As the ship makes it way to the site of Axial Volcano we seem to be rolling back and forth a lot. Try typing a term paper on a children's roller coaster or a rapidly changing elevator. Besides teaching high school science, I also coach basketball. We call a specific positioning of the players body when they catch the ball a "Triple Threat" position (you can shoot, pass or dribble from it). Well, on board a ship rolling along I've been practicing that position a lot trying to keep my balance, walk in a straight line and not loose my dishes during meal breaks.

As I close this message we are about 83 nautical miles from our destination where we as a team hope to develop a new baseline understanding of what is now happening at Axial Volcano and the associated vent sites. If you remember a year ago the team researched in depth what happened during the 1998 eruption and came away with a great deal of data and new ideas. We will be filling you in on some of the findings from that voyage along with what is going on out here this year so stay tuned for more.

Bye for now.

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