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

High seas and a thirty knot wind keep the scan fish on deck and most scientists inside for the better part of the day. A pod of about 50 Dolphins swim past the porthole.

Finally we turn and run with the seas. Besides being a much more comfortable ride, the technician feels we can chance deploying the scan fish again. For a few tense moments, we watch it surf the high waves; but then it dives to resume its undulating data collecting pattern (up and down, up and down, up and down) unaffected by the raging tempest above. Things do not end well though. About 2300 the electronic wire breaks and data retrieval stops. Brian, the technician works long past his watch rejoining the cable. He finishes at 0800 to get a quick nap before his next watch begins at 1200.

Fish basket overboard drill is the excitement of the afternoon. Captain Jimmy, scientists, and technicians merge their skills to maneuver and recover a floating yellow fish basket complete with a live Tautaug swimming inside which is returned to the sea.

Engineer Chuck provided evening entertainment, hooking a Dolphin Fish (Mahi Mahi). But alas he was unsuccessful in landing it aboard.