March 18, 2010
In the BEST 2010 operation area, we drive from station to station, set areas where the scientists want to take their samples. It takes anywhere from 1 hour to 6 hours to transit between stations.
Once we are set up on station, we begin putting science equipment over the side of the ship. We start with the CTD which is a round frame surrounding several different kinds of sensors and a bunch of water canisters. We can trip the water canisters closed at different depths to bring back water for sampling. Some of the other things we measure are: conductivity, temperature, depth, salinity, light, and particles in the water.
We also put other science gear over the side. At each station we will do 1 CTD, and then do 5-7 Van Veen Grabs. That is where we put a big clam shell type device over the side that closes when it hits the bottom, gathering a scoop of the ocean floor. Then we do 2-4 Haps Cores. This is similar, but it brings back a tube of dirt and water.
Next we bring the grabs of mud on board, dump them into large sieves and spray them down with sea water to wash all the dirt away and leave behind the shells, seaweed, brittle stars, worms, and other things, that are then looked at by the scientists.
We have also seen lots of different animals. There are some scientists who take turns spending all day on the bridge looking out over the ice and water and writing down everything they see. Some of the wildlife they have spotted are: Beluga whales, Bearded Seals, Rings Seals, Ribbon Seals, Walruses, and quite a few birds.
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- POLAR SEA
- Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA (WAGB 11) is the world's most powerful, conventionally propelled icebreaker. POLAR SEA was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle. Homeported in Seattle since being commissioned in 1977, POLAR SEA has operated around the globe. POLAR SEA is designed to perform science, icebreaking, and all Coast Guard missions in both polar regions. POLAR SEA has sailed all seven seas, crossed the Arctic Ocean, circumnavigated Antarctica, and visited ports in twenty-four foreign countries. As of fall 2009, POLAR SEA has made eighteen voyages to Antarctic and twenty-one voyages to the Arctic. POLAR SEA has been awarded four Coast Guard Unit Commendations, five Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Canadian Coast Guard Commissioner's Commendation.
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About Me
- POLAR SEA
- Coast Guard Cutter POLAR SEA (WAGB 11) is the world's most powerful, conventionally propelled icebreaker. POLAR SEA was built by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle. Homeported in Seattle since being commissioned in 1977, POLAR SEA has operated around the globe. POLAR SEA is designed to perform science, icebreaking, and all Coast Guard missions in both polar regions. POLAR SEA has sailed all seven seas, crossed the Arctic Ocean, circumnavigated Antarctica, and visited ports in twenty-four foreign countries. As of fall 2009, POLAR SEA has made eighteen voyages to Antarctic and twenty-one voyages to the Arctic. POLAR SEA has been awarded four Coast Guard Unit Commendations, five Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendations, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Canadian Coast Guard Commissioner's Commendation.
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