A peek into a stateroom reveals a few things from home to add a little comfort to the cruise. To those of us on the cruise we know the sun is up there somewhere, and we're looking forward to getting back on land to where the sun will hopefully be shining!

Teacher Logbook - R/V Wecoma

Missy Holzer 's Sealog:
CTD Cruise Day 13
Weather at 1630 hours PDT:
Overcast skies with winds of 12 knots from the northwest, and visibility of 12 miles. Barometric pressure is 1027.9, and the temperature is 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Ocean swells are 5 feet out of the northwest, and the seas are 3 feet out of the northwest.

Floating around in the "Big O" on the R/V Wecoma one finds peace, solitude as well the tranquil sounds of the waves crashing against the ship. With being swept away by all this wonderment, comes the longing for a few amenities only found on land, especially after being out at sea for an extended period of time. The acquisition of some amenities have to wait until the ship gets to port, but other amenities (albeit small) can be brought along on the cruise and act as a creature comfort until the ship gets back to port.

The highest on the list of amenities missed from land is family. The onset of the age of email has helped that longing a bit, but as one crewmember said, email can sometimes become a forum for making repeated requests from those on land. Bringing along pictures of loved ones also helps to alleviate that achy feeling of not being around them for an extended period of time. Below family on the list of amenities is a myriad of tangible and intangible items. On the list of tangible items are places like their own kitchen, bed, bathroom, as well as a ranch house, summer house, and the mountains. The list of things is a little shorter and includes items like pets, the newspaper, the radio, the couch, and a motorcycle. There's a wide variety of intangibles that include summer weather, freedom to go anywhere or do anything, time with friends, sleeping throughout the night without having to be on call, and just about everything for those who feel that they've been out to sea long enough.

An interesting insight made by one of the science staff was that while out sea for long periods of time such as a month or more, some people tend to make detailed plans of a project that they are going to do when they get home. The projects could include the construction of an addition, to go on a major road trip, plant a garden. But once the person gets back from sea, the plans basically fizzle out without coming to fruition. He continues by saying that the importance of things you don't have while out at sea tends be exaggerated until you get back home where reality kicks in and everything gets put back into perspective again.

Some of the science staff and crew combat missing certain aspects of their shore life by bringing along a few personal items to make them feel more at home while cruising. Popular items include their own pillow and linens, a sleeping bag, and pictures for the wall, electronics such as a TV's and VCR's, stereos, books, computers, music, and cell phones for cruises close to shore. Some crew and staff make a point to bring extra warm clothing and survival gear as a way to increase their comfort levels while on board. Then there is the more creative list of creature comforts the staff and crew brings along which includes a diet coke supply, water supply, a stuffed animal from a crew member's son and care package from his wife, handmade quilt curtains from a crew member's wife, a motorcycle engine, and a cappuccino maker. With all these extra items on board in these cramped quarters it's amazing that the ship stays afloat. But all of these items are minuscule if it means that a staff or crewmember is going to feel a little more at home while working in confined environment for a while.

The exploration/mysteries/beauty of the ocean enticed people to be out here, and they know that what's on land will waiting when they get back. A key to avoiding the yearning is to keep busy, and as mentioned in a previous report, there is always something to do while on a piece of steel floating in salt water. Another key is to keep it all in perspective, and as one crewmember puts it, "home is where the sleeping bag is." But it's still nice to have a few creature comforts to feel more at home where the sleeping bag is.