Open the below pictures in a full-screen slideshow by Flickr
August 2nd, 2009 – Tuktoyaktuk, Northern Territories
by Bryan Reeves
(August 2): An Ocean Watch crewmember wears many hats. While such is the case aboard any small vessel, it is particularly true aboard a modern 64-foot sailing vessel charged with synthesizing an aggressive itinerary, a host of research projects, a comprehensive education program, and a continuous stream of written and photographic accounts.
 |
| Bryan and Michael make a hydrophone recording of dredging operations in the harbor in Nome, Alaska. |
Since leaving Barrow I have added yet another hat to my collection: temporary carrier of the science torch. Since Dr. Michael Reynolds temporarily left the crew in Barrow I have been spearheading the effort to keep up the onboard research projects. Thanks to several weeks of onboard instruction from Michael, and also to the dozen or so scientists who carefully designed the systems, my supplementary role has been surprisingly straightforward. Michael has been extremely helpful troubleshooting issues via email, and Zeta Strickland, our educator from the Pacific Science Center, has helped keep up the daily observations.
This crew log will be the first of a two-part account. Part one will explain my role onboard and onshore and introduce the role of the designated “science person”. Part two will share some of the actual data collected over the past few weeks.
While in port I am often asked about my role aboard Ocean Watch. Given my status as the junior-most crewmember, and my varied duties, this question comes as little surprise. Depending on the situation my answer might range from port activities coordinator to IT assistant to scientific assistant (not to forget chief oatmeal cooker, fastidious galley cleaner, and eager deckhand. All of these answers are valid, and emblematic of the many hats worn by all involved with the Around the Americas project, be they onboard or onshore).
Onshore in Seattle my role is easier to explain; I split my time between working as the Port Call Coordinator/miscellaneous detail wrangler for the project and also volunteer as an assistant for the project’s science and education program led by Dr. Kris Ludwig at the PSC. I handle both of these roles from a comfortable, well-connected and productivity-inspiring cubicle at the Science Center, a world apart from the work environment aboard Ocean Watch. At the office, my days are split between tasks such as corresponding with port authorities and oceanographic research institutes in coastal cities throughout North and South America as well as producing documents and spreadsheets, explaining and organizing everything from minute logistical details to the scope of the project’s port call outreach program.
As Herb has indicated in past updates, I have been with the crew since Dutch Harbor. I am here primarily to help put the port call activities I helped structure into action and gain perspective about the realities of facilitating these activities. I will fly back to Seattle from Cambridge Bay to pick up my shore-based responsibilities with plenty of time to support planning efforts for the big city stops down the east coast.
On a daily basis my role as carrier of the science torch is to monitor, maintain, and lead observations using the
 |
| Bryan takes a series of measurements with the sun photometer in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. The measurements are used to calculate aerosol concentrations in the atmosphere. |
onboard systems. We have three dedicated data logging computers (metrological, oceanographic, and photographic) that periodically need human input. We make daily cloud observations as part of the NASA S’COOL program, and submit surface condition reports to NOAA as part of the Voluntary Observing Ship Program. When conditions allow we take “moment of opportunity” jellyfish tissue samples, make recordings with the APL-UW hydrophone, and take measurements using the Microtops Sun Photometer from JISAO at the University of Washington.
Later this week in part two, I will share data from each of the onboard research projects. But right now I need to put on the science hat and take advantage of the clear sky here in Tuktoyaktuk. It’s time to record a series of measurements with the sun photometer and also submit the 0000 UTC report of surface conditions to NOAA.
- Bryan Reeves with photographs by David Thoreson
This crew log submitted by Iridium OpenPort and Stratos
To add a comment to this story click on the comment link below the post title. Please direct your messages for the crew to crew@aroundtheamericas.org instead of submitting them here. Thanks for following the Around the Americas Expedition.
