Day 9: Alaska 2024 GNSS-A Deployment- "Labor omnia vincit" (Work conquers all)

Today, Watch Group 1 woke up to a very busy scenario, where Watch Group 2 was still working hard from the night before. Like in a relay race, we took the baton and continued the deployment of transponders each time closer to the trench at deeper waters,  catching up with the hanging work from past days.  

Watch groups 1 and 2 working together to deploy the Mesh station 07

To obtain our goal, the P.I. researchers are implementing the plan to minimize waiting time and work at two sites simultaneously. So far, even with the high waves showing up from time to time, this plan has given good results, and we will be back on track soon. 

Tracking the path of the ship, while working at two sites simultaneously. 

Also, today is an exciting day, since we deployed our deepest transponder at around 5800 depth! This transponder is the closest one to the trench and will help us to understand better the coupling of subduction zones at the shallower parts, an area that until the moment has been invisible to us. 

Transponder AF10 - The deepest one.

Since this site is so deep, our CTD measurements are going to take around 5 hours to be completed.  While we waited, the crew took the time to teach us some very important sailor skills: how to do knots! 

Engineer Glenn Sasagawa and Marine technician Walt Masterson teaching some important knots to the science crew

I want to take once again the opportunity to thank the crew of the R/V Sikuliaq, who have been working around the clock to help us fulfill the project goals despite the weather.