A wise guy once asked, "When was the last time you did something for the first time?" Well, for Watch Group 2 and the science crew at large, that day was today--a day of many firsts since the start of our expedition.
Today marked the first day of the expedition during which Watch Group 2 observed and participated in a full triad transponder deployment at site CHK1 starting at ~24:00 UTC. CHK1 is the third site of our trip, and is a little special and unique for several reasons. This deployment, our deepest yet (~2800-2900 m), is our first on the flanks of a seamount. How neat is that!
Bathymetric map of site CHK1. The transponder deployments (red triangles) are on the flanks of a seamount and positioned at ~2800-2900 m depth. Map courtesy of Dr. Andy Newman.
Graduate students in Watch Group 2 each had their first opportunity to assist in the recovery of the float package following transponder deployment. Thanks to the ship's crew, deckhands, and technicians for their patience in guiding us through this process!
Graduate students in Watch Group 2, Yinchu Li and Hugo Reveneau, prepare to hook the float package for retrieval onto the aftdeck following the deployment of CHK1-C(3). [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].
After a lecture from Dr. Spahr Webb, the Bridge called down to the Main Lab to inform us of whales spouting on the portside of the ship. For the first time since our departure from port in Seward, we observed two minke whales spouting in the distance of an otherwise relatively calm ocean for miles in every direction. Today also marked our first bluebird day since the start of the expedition, so hallelujah for that. 🌞
As we write this, Watch Group 2 just recovered the float pack from deployment CHK1-C(3), leaving us with one final transponder deployment for the day--CHK1-B(2)--as well as a CTD cast.
And, for our final 'first' of this blog post, today (well, technically, early tomorrow) marks the beginning of our first extra-long transit between deployment sites since the start of the expedition, as we travel from site CHK1 to SNK1 for our next triad transponder deployment. The anticipated transit time is ~30 hours!
And that's all for now, folks! Tune in again tomorrow for more exciting updates from Watch Group 1.
Today marked the first day of the expedition during which Watch Group 2 observed and participated in a full triad transponder deployment at site CHK1 starting at ~24:00 UTC. CHK1 is the third site of our trip, and is a little special and unique for several reasons. This deployment, our deepest yet (~2800-2900 m), is our first on the flanks of a seamount. How neat is that!
Bathymetric map of site CHK1. The transponder deployments (red triangles) are on the flanks of a seamount and positioned at ~2800-2900 m depth. Map courtesy of Dr. Andy Newman.
Graduate students in Watch Group 2 each had their first opportunity to assist in the recovery of the float package following transponder deployment. Thanks to the ship's crew, deckhands, and technicians for their patience in guiding us through this process!
Graduate students in Watch Group 2, Stefan Kildal-Brandt and Behnaz Hosseini, receiving training from the ship's deckhands and technicians to recover a float package from the aftdeck following the deployment of CHK1-A(1). [PC: Yinchu Li].
Graduate students in Watch Group 2, Yinchu Li and Hugo Reveneau, prepare to hook the float package for retrieval onto the aftdeck following the deployment of CHK1-C(3). [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].
After a lecture from Dr. Spahr Webb, the Bridge called down to the Main Lab to inform us of whales spouting on the portside of the ship. For the first time since our departure from port in Seward, we observed two minke whales spouting in the distance of an otherwise relatively calm ocean for miles in every direction. Today also marked our first bluebird day since the start of the expedition, so hallelujah for that. 🌞
Dr. Spahr Webb delivering a lecture to the science crew in the Main Lab. [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].
Personnel from the ship and science crews stationed by the A-frame on the aftdeck in preparation for deployment of transponder CHK1-A(1). Clear blue skies for the win! [PC: Behnaz Hosseini].
As we write this, Watch Group 2 just recovered the float pack from deployment CHK1-C(3), leaving us with one final transponder deployment for the day--CHK1-B(2)--as well as a CTD cast.
And, for our final 'first' of this blog post, today (well, technically, early tomorrow) marks the beginning of our first extra-long transit between deployment sites since the start of the expedition, as we travel from site CHK1 to SNK1 for our next triad transponder deployment. The anticipated transit time is ~30 hours!
And that's all for now, folks! Tune in again tomorrow for more exciting updates from Watch Group 1.
Here's to many more firsts. Watch Group 2 signing off.
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