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Content:
Bill Lang
Pagemasters:
OEMM Web Team
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SWSS Chronicles
Special Reports from the SWSS Scientists |
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Chronicle
12 - June 30, 2005
Dr. Deborah
Epperson
Protected Species Biologist and SWSS Acoustics Team
Biological Sciences Section
Gulf of Mexico Region
Minerals Management Service
New Orleans, Louisiana
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Figure 1 |
When you tell your friends and family that you are
going to be gone for a month tagging sperm whales in the Gulf of
Mexico, their first reaction is surprise. Then the questions begin:
Do we really have sperm whales in the Gulf? What’s it like on the
boat? What will you be doing? And the list goes on. I have tried to
describe the scientists and the different components of SWSS, but
now let me tell you about the day to day living aboard the Gyre.
While the dimensions of the R/V Gyre sound roomy at 185’, when you
pack 9 crew and 23 scientists, science gear, personal gear, tagging
boats, and everything else on board it begins to feel less spacious.
Once on board, you catch up with old friends and quickly begin to
make some new ones (photo at left)). Within a few days you have
learned more about the people around you than ever imagined, and
everyone begins to fall into a working routine. Everyone on the ship
is working towards the same goal and you feel like a valued part of
the team. |
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Days begin to fade into each other and you really
have very little sense of time. When you are not working you try to
catch some sleep in your small bunk (see photo at right), which can
prove to be a challenge in rough seas. Meal times are set with 3
squares a day and best of all no dishes to wash (except for the
galley hand)! However, the galley seats 8, and 32 people need to eat
within the hour mealtime. Lingering over your meal is definitely not
appreciated! When the meal is over there is always ice cream. The
Gyre is known for having an unlimited supply of ice cream and
everyone succumbs at some point during the cruise. |
Figure 2 |
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5 |
The big treat of the day is email. There is one
computer with an email setup and it is definitely a popular place.
The receipt of any news from friends and family certainly puts
smiles on our faces (Figure 3)! So when you aren’t working,
sleeping, or eating what do you do with your time? Reading, watching
movies and DVDs, and playing cards (Figure 4) are just a few of the
ways to pass the time. This year one scientist stitched rice stuffed
sperm whales for everyone to take home (Figure 5). Others work on
data, publications, or try to keep up with all the work they left
onshore. |
| So here we are, steaming
towards Galveston, another successful cruise almost complete. Tired,
excited, happy to be going home, sad to be going home, all these
emotions run through our minds. I think I speak for all the
scientists and crew when I say that we feel privileged to have been
involved in SWSS. Thanks everyone, I hope to cruise with you again. |
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