Journals 2007/2008

Mark Harris
Layton High School, Layton, UT

"Antarctic Crabeater Seal Tagging and Icefish Adaptation Studies Research Vessel Laurence M. Gould" May 9, 2007 - June 6, 2007

Journal Index: May 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16        17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24        25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 Research Experience Video Additional Resources

May 11, 2007
Moving Onto The Ship

This is always an exciting time, moving onto the ship. There are always a lot of questions I have; what does my room look like, where do I eat, is there a library or a workout room? Well, I can tell you - this ship is all that and more - this is a nice ship. My room is very comfortable, I do have a bunkmate named Ryan. He is on his way to Palmer Station, Antarctica to study the chemistry makeup of tunicates (jellyfish like creatures). Ryan hopes the defense chemicals in these tunicates will someday cure skin cancer. I love to actually see science working.

The food on the ship is plentiful and very good. All your meals are made for you, no cleaning up - this is heaven. I spent the afternoon loading fresh food onto the ship. We will be re-stocking Palmer Station with fresh produce and milk. We also loaded fresh food for a Ukrainian base called Vernasky, which we will stopping at later on in the cruise.

There are 3 distinct groups on the ship. The crew and the captain, they work for a company out of Louisiana. The marine technicians work for a company called Raytheon out of Denver. The third group is the research scientists. It is kind of like church at dinnertime, everyone seems to have their favorite seat. Have you ever been glared in church by the little old when you are in her seat? My advice to other ARMADA teachers - wait until everyone has been seated and try to eat last, then you will know where your seat is- the empty one.

The galley