by Ola Persson
Today involved a northward cruise through the Bering Strait and riding out a storm. Everybody was testing equipment, and later in the day when the weather got rough, tended to stay seated or in their racks. The outside decks were closed off because of the rolling ship and risk for slipping. With the rough weather, some people were sick and most people went to bed early because it was too difficult to walk around and even sitting in chairs was difficult because you would slide across the deck. There were a few “crashes,” such as a cleaning supply closet breaking open with supplies flying out. Regular weather balloon launches were started and the underway system for getting upper ocean temperature and salinity profiles was tested. The northward track meant that satellite communications were difficult because the low angle to the satellite to the south meant that the satellite signal was blocked. It also didn’t help that the ship was rolling with waves coming from the starboard.
Stormy seas
