Teacher At Sea

Get those "sea legs" into shape!  Here we go!  The Teacher At Sea program allows science teachers from across the country to join scientists on NOAA research vessels to participate as guest research assistants on research cruises.  Our cruise was on the NOAA ship MacArthur.  The ship, normally a Pacific Ocean vessel, was docked at Pascagoula, Mississippi where we boarded at the naval base.

Our journey was a rough one due to the fact Tropical Storm Allison came back offshore in the gulf after drowning Houston.  She, in turn, churned up the waters of the gulf with 12-16 ft. seas.  Needless to say, it was an adventure.  One could say, "You know it was rough when a few of the ship workers got sick!"

Overall it was a great adventure.  We worked 12 hour days baiting camera cages, lowering them down into the water, then retrieving them.  The cameras were inspected, given a fresh battery and video tape, then fitted back into the cage for another round.

Meanwhile, up top, other scientists began to look over the videos and identify the fish population of the western gulf, primarily the Flower Garden Bank.

Rough waters not-withstanding, the cruise was a great experience and thanks go out to all the NOAA workers and researchers who put up with our questions and unfamiliarity with procedures.  Below are some pics of the cruise.  The larger ship is of a Navy ship in port.  In one of the photos, notice the angle of the boat with respect to the horizon.  It was rough out there!

Click HERE for information on how you can become a participant.