Preparing for Science

Our first night on the R/V LMG while in transit was pretty smooth.  We are following down the East Coast of South America and are experiencing calm seas.  Tonight we will leave the shelter of the coastline and venture into Drake Passage.

South America at 10 p.m.

To prepare for our crossing we were presented with the R/V LMG’s safety procedures by Chief Mate Pete.  As part of this process we practiced donning emersion suits we will have to put on in the event of an emergency.  These suits would keep us afloat and provide a level of insulation to help us survive the cold water.  We also took a tour of the lifeboats and discussed protocols for abandoning ship.  The lifeboat was roomier than I expected, but I imagine riding in any kind of sea would be an unpleasant experience.   

This afternoon Chief Scientist Dr. Reide Corbett (East Carolina University and UNC Coastal Studies Institute), Dr. Rich Viso from Coastal Carolina University (CCU), and Dr. J.P. Walsh (ECU and UNC-CSI)  finished constructing the “clean room” for our trace metals analysis.  The rest of our scientific team consists of Dr. Rick Peterson from CCU, graduate students Jared Crenshaw and David Hawkins from ECU, graduate student Leigha Peterson from CCU, and myself, David Sybert from UNC-CSI.  This group will be broken into two teams and work twelve-hour shifts while conducting science.   

Dr. Corbett installs the clean room

In the laboratories on board we are currently figuring out the logistics of sampling water from different depths, and how water will be moved to the analysis areas.  We will measure Iron, Radon isotopes and Radium isotopes to gain a better understanding the origin of the water we are sampling (ice melt or submarine groundwater), and how it is mixing across the continental shelf. 

Many of our science team has also volunteered to help collect information from the Drake Passage as part of an ongoing study that has gone on for 15 years through the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The Marine Technicians on board will show us sampling techniques for the NSF study and the analysis that needs to be done during our three-day crossing.  Dr. Corbett’s data collections will not start until we reach the Antarctic Continent.
- David Sybert

Today we depart for the Drake Passage!

The crew spent much of the morning loading the ship with supplies for our voyage.  Besides carrying our supplies, the R/V Laurence M. Gould will also re-supply Palmer Station with food, fuel and other necessities.  Because of the challenges presented by Antarctica’s location and the lack of natural resources found there, re-supply ships and aircraft are used to bring everything on and off of the continent. 

The scientific instruments that will be used in our study are set up and ready to sample.  The crew of the LMG are working to construct a “clean lab” that will be used during the analysis of trace metals.  In order to get accurate readings from the water samples they will need to be tested in an environment that is free of Iron.  A make shift room will be built inside of one of the labs to create this “clean” environment.       

As we near departure the final steps are being taken to batten down the ship for the crossing.  Everything is being tied down and lashed into place.  The crossing of the Drake Passage is supposed to take three and a half days, and we will not have our feet on solid ground again for at least nine days.  This will be the longest stretch I ever spent at sea. 

 - Dave Sybert

December 9, 2012
The U.S. Antarctic Program issues each participant Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) clothing to help scientists stay safe in the harsh environmental conditions in Antarctica. The ECW for our trip includes base layers, fleece pants and top, steel toed boots, gloves, hats, parka, goggles and waterproof pants. The reality of the need for these items became clearer today as the wind blew in gusts up to 60mph this afternoon. In the picture I am attempting to wear most of the gear at once.

After trying on and receiving the ECW we boarded the R/V Laurence M Gould for the first time. The R/V Gould looks larger than her 230 feet. The interior of the ship houses three science labs, a gym, galley, computer room, lounge area, sauna and many staterooms. Although the R/V Gould has a comfortable interior, she is a working ship and her decks are covered with scientific equipment and devices used to deploy equipment. While the upcoming crossing of the Drake Passage is a little intimidating, having seen the ship has put me more at ease. She has completed over 150 successful crossings.

The rest of our afternoon was spent readying scientific equipment for sampling. All the equipment we shipped and carried to Punta Arenas had to be reassembled and calibrated. Much of the sampling equipment is now running standards for calibration and will be finished soon. Because of the strong winds there was no crane activities allowed on the pier today, forcing us to delay our departure until later in the afternoon tomorrow so heavy items can be loaded onto the ship.

Although it is after 7pm here the sun is still pretty high in the sky. Anyone know why the sun does not set here until 10:01 p.m.? And when will it set once we travel to the Western Antarctic Peninsula? - (Answer in the comment section below)

- Dave Sybert

Arrived to Punta Arenas, Chile

We have arrived in Punta Arenas, and so has all of our gear!

Yesterday was spent preparing some of the science gear, seeing the ship for the first time and doing a little exploring.  We visited the monument of Ferdinand Magellan to rub his toe for a safe passage.  The local legend holds that if visitors kiss the toe of the big man sitting to the right they are ensured a return to Punta Arenas.  

There is a lot of prep work to be done to get ready for the start of our voyage tomorrow.  We will move out of the hotel and onto the boat this evening, and we will also be issued cold weather gear to wear while in Antarctica.  

Today the winds are blowing 35mph out of the West and the temperature is around 41 degrees.  To be honest I had hoped for a little better weather to start our journey tomorrow, it looks like it might be a little rough out on the Drake Passage.  

 - Dave Sybert

Norfolk Airport

We've made it to the Norfolk Airport and are heading out!

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