Journals 2004/2005

Catherine Roberts
Western Branch Middle School, Chesapeake, VA

"Study of frontal zones in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras" R/V Cape Henelopen July 31 - August 14, 2004

Journal Index: July 28/31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9           10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14

The day starts early with a watch monitoring the scanfish. With the morning's light we begin hauling in moorings on the northern line: first the large buoy measuring temperature, wind speed, and current; then the ADCP which yields another octopus. The final ADCP proves a challenge. To haul up an ACDP, which is on the bottom, an electronic signal is sent from alongside the ship, which causes a float on the mooring to be released. The float rises to the surface of the water and we snag the line to pull the ADCP mooring from the bottom on board. This morning in spite of the fact that our GPS indicates we are on site - no float appears. We spend hours looking. Finally we reach Dana, the Principle Investigator who is working on the southern end of the study area on another vessel. The decision is made to leave the ADCP for a diver to come and retrieve at a later date. Since the underwater moorings have been so popular with the octopuses, we aren't sure if there is an octopus in the way of the float, or maybe holding on; or even if the line in the float is just too short to keep it from reaching the surface. There is a very strong current in the area and it may be pulling the line sideways preventing the float from surfacing.

Two more sites are completed with the OS 200 to measure internal waves. Then Swim Call. Scientists jump into the Atlantic to swim among Trigger Fish that are eating jellyfish.

The final northern trak with the scanfish finishes the night watch and we turn for home port.