The sea state has picked up a bit, so the rate of deployments/recoveries has slowed. It is good that we got so much done during the first 48 hours of the cruise. We picked up 4 out of the 5 shallowest seafloor pressure recorders, which is important as calm seas are needed for that work. It is 2:30 am now, and we are nearing the drop site of one of the Kyoto University seafloor pressure gauges. Yoshi Ito and Res Tech Jay will assess whether it is safe to deploy soon, and if not, we will move on to another site to the south and wait until morning. Deployment in high seas is easier than recovery. For recovery of the OBS there is more of a chance of it banging into the ship and getting damaged, and personnel have to be on deck longer to snag the instrument.
Chief Scientist Laura Wallace on the bridge
Ted and Jay on deck
The little white ball is a buoy that is connected to the shallow seafloor style of bottom pressure recorder
Seafloor pressure sensor emerging from the deep
Relieved scientists happy to see the instruments back on board
Seafloor pressure sensor on deck. It is covered with mud and barnacles from a year on the seafloor. Thanks to Justin and Erin for their hard work cleaning off the stinky muck.
Anne, Spahr, and Martha on deck.
Lookin’ good! Nice mud. I hope you get some more good weather! There have been record cold temperatures all across the South Island today, so hopefully that is not affecting you, too.
Weather is improving. In the meantime, we are having fun getting a first look at our data.