Off to New Zealand ...with the Fam

Our stoller is loaded down at LAX as we wait trying to get Molly's boarding pass at Air New Zealand. The first couple flights weren't too bad but the next one is LONG. Should be interesting.

Near the Deepwater Horizon Wellhead Site

We recently were conducting operations near the DWH wellhead site.  It has been impressive to see the two relief-well drilling platforms with my own eyes and up close.  The rigs remain floating over the shut-in well site as if they are monuments to the unfortunate events that transpired.  A few support ships hover around these giant structures, providing some visible evidence of how big these platforms are.   It's hard not to think of the many images that have been shown about the oil spill, from the initial explosion and fire to the oil-stained shorelines and birds.  Fortunately, oil is no longer flowing from the well.  Last night, flying fish swarmed around the stern of the ship as we retrieved the multicore.  It was nice to observe fish that appear active and happy (soaring and crashing aimlessly) so close to the site where things looked so bleak not long ago.  Of course, we still don't really know the impacts on the ocean below and the long-term ecological consequences. Our work will hopefully shed some light.  Read about our research activities at: http://missionlog.noaa.gov/category/pisces/

 

Fortunately, the weather has been great with fairly mild temperatures.  Last night we had a beautiful sunset.

Tough Day But Ready For More Work ... and Featured on the NOAA Web Site

The last 24 hours have been challenging.  We had some trouble trying to collect a core in very deep water (>2200 meters, which is well over a mile deep).  Ultimately, we had to give up at one site because we just could not quite tell if/when the corer hit the bottom, and we didn't want to risk tangling up the corer on the seafloor.  Then, after a camera sled tow and CTD, we had a major problem with the winch as we pulled a core to the surface.  Fortunately, thanks to the hard and smart work of the crew, we were able to not only avoid losing the corer but also we got a nice sample. 

 

On a positive note, we have had some good success so far and look forward to getting back to coring tomorrow. 

 

Today, it was great to see that our work on the Pisces was featured on NOAA's main web site (see photo).  Several of the other scientists and I are visible in a photo prepping the multicore.  We're famous :)

 

What We Are Up To

Well, I have been very busy, preparing for the cruise, coring, etc.   So far things have gome o.k.. although we've had our fair share of hiccups.  This is par for the course.  We are big believers in Murphy's Law. 

 

Anyway, there was some press coverage about our cruise, so I'll let you read about what we're up to from a couple of the news stories online:

 

http://www.aolnews.com/gulf-oil-spill/article/noaa-launches-mission-to-solve-bp-oil-mystery/19648228

 

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2010/09/noaas_pisces_heads_to_deepwate.html

 

Also, there is an official blog for the Pisces where they will likely will post some pics and details:

http://missionlog.noaa.gov/category/pisces/

 

I need to go to bed because I must be back up in 5 hours for more coring closer to the now-shut-in wellhead.

 

J.P.

Multicore Assembly

Today has been a good day. I got up and got to work. I was somewhat surprised to learn that the core was just arriving...by FEDEX! (Wow, that must not have been cheap way considering the size and amount of lead). Also, it came disassembled, so I had some work to do (see picture of core in boxes). But, it was basically a large jigsaw puzzle. I've made good progress today and have more time tomorrow. Now I need to help with some computer stuff (GIS). This software will allow us to see where our core sites are relative the bottom and and pipelines, etc. I better get back to work.