Teacher Logbook - NOAA Ship Ron Brown

When the benchmarks were placed on the bottom, during the summer of 1999, blocks of wood were used to assist in the deployment. Last year a piece of wood was collected at this spot (benchmark 2), which was filled with small boring clams. This year another piece of wood was retrieved at the same spot. All but a couple of the clams are gone this year, but this scale worm seems to like the environment. Two spider crabs were observed feasting on a tuna carcass in depths of over 2200 meters. ROPOS is performing an infrared (IR) reading on an extensometer at South Cleft. The orange ball houses the computer board that collects the extensometer data over a one year span. The extensometer is positioned on a benchmark (the off-white stand with short legs). The IR reader is the white cylinder that ROPOS is holding. The IR reader downloads the data from the extensometer using infrared light. Members of the R/V Ron Brown deck crew retrieve the elevator, which was loaded up with extensometers on the bottom and acoustically released to the surface.

Jeff Goodrich's Sealog:
South Cleft Segment of Juan de Fuca Ridge

Imagine living on an island 274 ft. long and 53 feet wide. You can't leave the island for weeks at a time. Everything you need (in the short term) food, shelter, work, play, etc. is supplied on that island. There's no vegetation and nothing to obstruct your view. For the crew and scientists working on the ship, this is home.

The R/V RON BROWN is the newest addition to the NOAA fleet and is one of the nation's most technologically advanced research ships. It has almost 4,000 square feet of lab space and in calm seas can use its dynamic positioning system to keep position within 16 feet. This is important when deploying ROV's tethered to the ship. The BROWN can hold up to 35 scientists and 24 crew members. Each of the scientists is assigned a berth (room) that is shared with one (or two in my case) other people. A bunk-bed, chair, dresser, and closet are squeezed into the tiny room. Two berths share a head (bathroom). Most of the crew and scientists sleep below the main deck so there are no windows. All night (and day) you can hear the bow thrusters rotating continually to keep the ship in place. Ear plugs are a must. The three-person cooking staff supplies three meals per day. Breakfast is from 7 -8, lunch from 11-12 and dinner from 4:30-5:30. Since there are 59 people on board and the galley (dining area) can't hold everyone at once, the crew and ROPOS team eats during the first half-hour and the scientists eat during the second half-hour. A sign hangs in the gally. "Eat it and beat it." Since the ship runs 24 hours a day and some people are on watches in the middle of the night,

A refrigerator is stocked with food those who miss meals. The galley is usually crowded during meal times, filled with discussions of the next dive, old cruise stories and laughter.

When not working or on a watch there is occasionally some free time. In the< evening two of the 800 or so movies on board are shown in the lounge. People gather and watch the large TV with surround sound. Between the two movies the ship's store occasionally opens for about 15 minutes selling t-shirts, hats, bathroom supplies and snacks. Other entertainment options include a large pin-pong table that's kept in the main science lab next to Dave Butterfields vent fluid sampler. There are often people practicing for the upcoming tournament. Below the hydro lab in the science store room is the ship's< mini-gym. A treadmill, rowing maching, bike and various weights help keep the ice cream cravings under control . Working out also feels great when there's nowhere to go. The only thing I've been hesitant about is jump-roping. With the swells, I'd probably end up in a knot.