Diary
from a Visual Crew Member
Special Report from an SWSS Scientist
By Lee Benner
Marine Mammal Studies Coordinator
Environmental Studies Program
Minerals Management Service |
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 The Sperm Whale Seismic Study (SWSS) is conducted through a procurement action called a
"cooperative agreement." This means that MMS, as the procuring agency,
participates in many aspects of the study--from planning to
providing staff in field efforts. I am fortunate to be an MMS staffer
affiliated with the study and have been given the opportunity to go on
the R/V Gyre as a member of the Visual team lead. The following
text are daily entries of my experiences.
Lee Benner
Marine Mammal Studies Coordinator
Diary of a Member of the Visual Crew
The "saga" began when
four of us met the R/V Gyre outside Corpus Christi on Sunday,
June 19. Two us would be replacing members of the Visual crew and 2 for
Acoustics. I had been in the Gulf on a SWSS cruise back in 2001 and was
on the Acoustics team.
Day
1
 On
day 1, Sunday evening the Visual observer team leader explained to us
the software that is being used to record visual observations and other
pertinent information. We then climbed up to the top most level of the
vessel the "flying bridge" and went over the equipment. Up there, in the
Visual team environment, that means "big eye" binoculars (see photo
at left),
the laptop computer with the "whaletrack" software and hand held
binoculars. Things look familiar to me and I am feeling confident I will
be a good member of the team.
Day 2
Monday the Visual team
starts equipment set-up at 6:45 AM. Observing starts at 7 AM with one
person on the left big eye, one on computer recording and one on the
right big eye. A new member rotates in starting at the left big eye
every 30 minutes. Each of the 6 member team works 90 minutes on then 90
minutes off. This goes on until 8 PM or whenever the tagging boats
return to the Gyre. Shifts are adjusted so that everyone starts
the 6:45 shift at some time.
The purpose of every
day is to locate sperm whales either visually or with passive acoustics,
place specially designed satellite tags on them and take tissue samples
for DNA analysis (see special report). If the weather and sea permit
the 2 RHIBs are put in the w ater - one is for placing satellite tags and
taking DNA samples and one for taking photos of the whales fluke or tail
for identification. The Visual observer team coordinates the RHIBs to
the whales, keeps acoustics apprised and coordinates with the captain of
the Gyre.
We
are not "on" whales yet so my teammates feed me "made-up" data to become
familiar with data entry and plotting the location of whales, the RHIB
and the distance between them. I find it is a little hard to see the
pointer on the screen in the outdoors even though the computer is
situated in a specially designed protective box (see photo at right). The
rolling of the Gyre, though relatively gentle, is another
impediment to my data entry efforts. My multi-tasking skills are not put
the test today - no whales were sighted.
Day
3
We were put to the
test. Whales were sighted 2 to starboard 3 to port and the RHIBs went in
the water. Bearing and distance readings are taken on the whales. These
numbers are being called out strong and sure from the observers to the
team member at the computer who logs in the information, informs
acoustics, radios whale locations to the RHIBs and requests turns of
the Gyre as needed. We have strong winds however and it is hard
to hear the observers, especially when acoustics is calling and the
RHIBs are radioing in as well. Now in addition to the visible whales
Acoustics is calling up to tell us that whales have been heard. To
determine which side of the Gyre they are on we need to have the
Gyre make small degree turns of 10 or 20 degrees - control of
whale tracking is turned over to Acoustics which is radioing the Captain
the new coordinates. In the meantime the tagging RHIB has approached 2
whales and successfully placed the satellite tags. Visual keeps constant
track of the visible whales and the location of the RHIBs.
Communication between
Visual and RHIBs continues in the hopes that the other 3 whales can be
approached. Now Acoustics is radioing Visual that their whales have gone
silent, last heard at 40 degrees to port- this could mean they are
getting ready to surface. The Visual team is now maintaining location of
whales to support the RHIBs as well as starting to look for the
potentially surfacing whales. Every 30 minutes the visual team is
rotating positions, but they all continue to work together to assist as
needed in responding to multiple radio transmissions, covering whales
and continue visual searches. The activity goes on for hours. Members
depart briefly, as the situation allows, to wolf down a meal.
The RHIBs finally call
it a day. It is 7:30 PM 5 tags have been placed with matching DNA
samples. The tagging team has been successful in placing 5 tags in
Beaufort 5 sea conditions that typically make tagging very difficult if
not impossible. After talking with the RHIB crews I learned that they
were surprised with their success and attribute it to the unusually long
valleys between the swells. The whole Gyre crew is ecstatic about
the success. These whales will provide weeks and months of data on where
they are traveling in the Gulf, how long they stay in areas and if they
are revisiting areas. And how did this team member do? Not bad, but with
a lot of helpful input from the rest of the team. I feel ready for
tomorrow.
Day
4
Hot again - not a
surprise. Applying sunscreen is part of my daily routine. If one were
out for a casual cruise in a good size vessel today would have been a
gorgeous day, but for visual observing the seas are a bit rough at
Beaufort 4 to 5. When the seas are that rough there are a lot of white
caps and it is very difficult to discern whale blows from breaking water
and sprays.
We put the RHIBs in and
they have run off to port and starboard for several miles where they
will drop hydrophones in the water to listen for whales. The passive
acoustic team is not hearing any whales so the RHIBs went to a distance
beyond the field of the passive acoustic system. The boats stayed out
for several hours, but all was quiet and we saw nothing. We are in 2000m
plus waters and towards the center of the Gulf of Mexico. What is out
here that we just aren't seeing or hearing?
Day
5
At 6:45 AM one could
tell it was going to be hot one again. Equipment is set-up and watch has
started along with large floor fans plugged in and blowing. From
shoulder level up one can get a good breeze, but from the level of the
gunwhales (walls of the flying bridge) down the air is very warm. We
have tarps overhead to keep off a lot of the sun and rubber mats to
stand on while observing to cushion our stand and as a barrier from the
metal deck. With good company and conversation it is almost
comfortable.
Acoustics had stood
watch all night as they do every night. They heard whales late in the
evening but the whales stopped vocalizing around mid-night and no others
were heard. So it continues with the two teams working together to
locate whales.
As the day progresses
the Visual team members are rotating in and out and conversations
pick-up or wane. It is hard to hear while peering through the big eyes
with a wind blowing. At 2 knots the breeze is light, but after awhile we
zoom ahead at 6knots and the breeze picks up then back to 2 knots. We
are in acoustic search mode for whales. The RHIBs are sent out to listen
at a distance. We have Beaufort seas of 5 again and they are getting
bounced around. It is not like the smoother seas earlier in the week. No
luck ,no whales. Another day of looking at the flowing seas through the
big eyes. Even without seeing whales the days and evenings are going
relatively quickly. Someone is always up somewhere with an interesting
story or paper to share.
Day
6
Today was a whole new
type of day with lots of sporadic dark clouds on the horizon. The
Captain sighted the potential makings of a water spout, essentially a
tornado over water so it sucks up a lot of water and anything else. He
has the Visual team come down from the flying bridge until we are out of
range of the clouds. This means we have to dismantle the computer set up
and electronics and wrap the big eyes in protective plastic sheets. It
seems like we only just set-up. Soon we are back up top setting up
again. About an hour later more clouds come into our area and head our
way. We can see it raining below them so we dismantle once again hauling
the computer and other
 loose
gear down the ladder and to safety. Again about an hour later the coast
is clear and we haul everything back up but we don't set up the
computer. Instead we run our computer input from the acoustics lab. not
an ideal situation, but workable and justified.
The
RHIBs are out running about and through the rains. We have whales, four
of them ranged across our bow. Visual is coordinating the RHIBs and
calling in information to acoustics and our computer person. What an
experience we have today - the whales are active and breaching - what an
incredible sight!!! But we had to close down again as a big rain cloud
came our way. We weren't fast enough and we were caught by cold winds
and cold rain and were drenched. That took me by surprise as I expected
warm winds and rain in this 90 plus degree environment. We return to the
interior of the vessel that is drafty and kept very cool. We need to dry
off and change clothes before we freeze (see photo at left).
An hour later we are
topside again fully set-up with the computer and big-eyes. The RHIBs
are coming in however. The tagging teams are tired from the traveling
and bouncing around in the rough seas. Once again however they were
successful and were able to place 2 tags and take 3 tissue samples. With
all the tissue samples we have been collecting scientists will be able
to determine the relationship among the whales sighted in the Gulf and
other parts of the world.
The RHIBs are coming
in, but we maintain visuals. It is my turn to rotate in at the left big
eye. My teammate greets me with "we better break down". I look to see
what she saw and see a big wall of wind, rain, waves and clouds coming
at us. This is the fourth time today we have had to dismantle. At least
we have a good routine down by now and we secure everything quickly.
This time we were able to get inside and end the day DRY!
Day 7
This was a long, hot
day, no whales were heard or seen, and the RHIBs did not go out because
of rough seas. I am learning about the wonders of mini, portable
conveyors of music and the travels and experiences of my teammates.
Their years of experience are very evident by the way they perform on
the flying deck and their stories extremely informative and
entertaining.
Day
8
A pleasant surprise was
awaiting me this morning - it was only in the 80's. Viewing conditions
were difficult as it was very hazy. We weren't hearing or seeing whales,
but did see a couple charter fishing boats and very, very, very large
tanker.
 We spent all day in
haze and quiet. the RHIBs went out about 9 AM and also didn't hear
anything. At least not a whale - they did come across a sunfish or mola
mola (photo at right). At 4:30 the RHIBs came in and were secured. Normal preparations
such as refueling the vessels were started and then - you guessed it we
sighted a whale. The crew of the tagging RHIB scrambled and in record
time were in the water. Visual kept track of the whale and saw it fluke.
Typically that means it is going into a deep dive and won't be back up
for at least 30 minutes. The Grye was maneuvered to keep the
anticipated surfacing spot in sight. At about 40 min the whale was
sighted and location information radioed to the RHIB. Unfortunately the
whale fluked before the RHIB could get to it so the wait is on. Once
again the whale is sighted , the RHIB approached and was successful in
its tagging effort. A DNA sample was also collected. The Captains calls
the vessel back due to the late time. It was a good day and we finally
close up the visual operations at 8:30.
Day 9
 Today
I was invited by the Tagging Team Leader to go out in the field on
the Photo ID RHIB. We went to the stern or back of the GYRE where the
RHIB is cradled, three of us climbed aboard and we were tilted back and
released into the Gulf (see photo at left). Our mission was to provide
support for the tagging RHIB1, take fluke shots of tagged whales and
track and retrieve the B-probe (see special report on B-probes and Dr.
Bill Burgess). Of all the days we have been out in the Gulf this was
the best one yet, gentle swells, adequate winds and we weren't in the
90 + degree temperature range yet. I did not know how long I would be
out so I went prepared with food, water, sunscreen and a hat.
 We were already "on
whales" (acoustics had located some) when the RHIBs were put into the
water so the 2 small vessels immediately coordinated with the Gyre and
headed off to see if we could sight the whales. On our way out we were
followed by a masked booby (see photos at right). It is a seabird of great interest to our
video expert on the RHIB so we set off on a very positive note.
After traveling for
several miles we found the whales. Since I was in RHIB I was always
at a distance from the whale to be tagged,
 but
still it is a remarkable sight and feeling to be on water level
with these large creatures. The tagging effort was a success and
the B-probe was on a whale - now we had to wait. The tag was
designed to stay on for several hours and then detach from the whale.
This would be ample time to for the tag to be on the whale for 2
or maybe 3 dives. During the dives the tag would be recording depth of
dive and angle of the whale.
 We
sighted the whale twice after 2 long dives and then we saw that the
probe had released. Now the 2 RHIBs were working in concert to locate
the B-probe floating in the hopefully nearby waters. The probe has a
sender on it and we had receivers in the RHIBs so the hunt was on (see
photo at left).
While we were floating
and waiting for the probe to release we saw other whales and were
treated to once again being able to appreciate the size and grace of
these animals. Frequently when the whale is ready to dive it arches as
it prepares to head down and flips up its tail or "flukes". We saw a
whale that not only fluked but literally did a head stand, with its head
pointing straight down and the length of its tail and flukes sticking
straight up out of the water. I once saw a right whale "the Admiral" do
that while I was surveying in the Gulf of Maine. I never thought I
would get to see that sight again.
While the RHIB 1
continued to track the probe I was brought back to the GYRE and resumed
my duties on the visual team. Fortunately my teammates appreciated
what an opportunity it would be for me to go out in the RHIB so were
willing to cover for me while I was out. This is a great crew!
To end today's story,
the RHIBs were out until 7:30 collecting the probe and taking DNA
samples. The visual team kept watch until they were safely back on
board.
DAY 10 -THE LAST DAY
Here is a new entry
point--it was hot today. We set-up at 6:45 AM and it was 93 degrees F.
It was, however, a really good sea day--excellent visibility, only 10
percent
cloud coverage, and 4 foot swells. Unfortunately, as the Gyre was turned
to help track whales we ended up between swells and we were rolling. It
wasn't too bad if you were just standing around and looking out, but
peering through the big eyes was a challenge. The view changed from
staring up at the sky to swooping down to the horizon and practically
down to the tip of your toes. It was making me feel nauseous so I had to
keep looking away. That isn't a bad thing for an observer to do because
under today's visibility conditions it is possible to sight a whale
several miles out. The beauty of the big eyes is it allows you to see
details at 8 miles away that you can see with the naked eye at maybe a
mile away.
On any given day we had
other members of the crew, when not engaged in their work, on the flying
bridge with us to revel in our company, take in the view or maybe get a
little sun and feel a bit of breeze. Often these comrades looking out
and taking in a broad view spotted whales before the observers who have
a narrow field with a big eye, Consequently, one needs to develop a
system that allows you to deal with the rolling of the ship while
continually sweeping your portion of the horizon at a steady pace.
Back to today's events -
the RHIBs went in the water in their usual order and took off to see if
they could locate whales that Acoustics had heard. Once again the day
began with Visuals coordinating information from Acoustics and the RHIBs
and to the Bridge as necessary. We heard and sighted several whales and
again some were too small to tag so we kept looking and Acoustics kept
listening. We saw many masked boobies today so I made a point of a
getting a copy of a photo by Charlie Short ,Captain of the RHIB2. In the afternoon the Visual group started getting punchy
since it was the last day and the chitter chatter and joking took on a
new level of humor and insight as we knew we would soon be going on to
other endeavors AND everyone is very, very tired.
To complete today we
located some whales and placed another satellite tag. Once again Visual
and Acoustics helped the RHIBs crew succeed in their efforts and they
came in safe and sound.
In summary the life of
an observer consists of early mornings, long days on your feet in high
heat, gulped meals and keeping ones cool in the frenzy of activities.
The summary also includes meeting new and interesting people, learning
many things from each such as one can have more than one career at a
time, all backgrounds and educations can bring something to the job and
it's another way to travel and see the world.
 I
haven't done the job of being an observer true justice in these few
words, my excuse is there is a lot to describe. Try it and you will see.
Oh, we were just called on deck to see a whale shark feeding with a school
of bonito - not an every day sight!
My deep thanks to Lars
Bejder, team lead and teammate AND my other teammates--Yin (Suzanne), Rhoni Lahn, and
Iliana Cooley--for sharing their knowledge and stories. Thank you Ann Jochen
for making it possible for me to be on this leg.
Signing off from Leg II
of SWSS field survey 2005,
Lee Benner
Oceanographer, Environmental Sciences
MMS
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