Post by Lauren Rice (UO)
Over the past two days the entire science team unpacked our gear from pallets and boxes and getting the lab spaces set up for efficient sample processing. Our 16-person team will be spread out in two labs and various work stations, including equipment preparation, larval sorting, animal dissections, and a fume hood for chemical work. We ended yesterday on a happy note as most of the science team gathered in the ship lounge to watch The Life Aquatic, a classic movie to watch while out at sea.
This morning, members of the science team, Sentry, and Jason operations met in the main lab for a discussion of safety measures while aboard the R/V Thompson. The captain of the ship, Eric, relayed the various emergency signals and instructed everyone to don their immersion suits. As per tradition, everyone who had not tried an immersion suit before had their photos taken. Shortly after the initial safety briefing, the crew cast off the lines and we started steaming towards the Atlantic and our first sampling site. Our team gathered on the 02 deck (two floors above the water line) above the bow to watch land fade away as the R/V Thompson left port.
Meet a Scientist On Board!
Hi, I’m Lauren Rice, a member of the science team aboard the R/V Thompson and a PhD candidate at the Young Lab from the University of Oregon. My research involves examining how certain interactions between animals at methane seeps impact the overall reproductive success of organisms. To do this, I will be collecting authigenic carbonate rock (rock made by microbes in the seafloor) and will be recovering the experimental settlement arrays I deployed last year.
As we get accustomed to the rocking of the boat, attempting to evade sea sickness, many of us are playing card games, like King’s Corner, enjoying fresh air at the front of the ship, and working on homework assignments.
Here are some tips for overcoming sea sickness:
- Drink lots of water – dehydration is your enemy.
- 3 points of contact will help you ground yourself.
- Ginger chews can help settle your queasiness.
- Fresh air! Get to the middle of the front of the ship to limit your rocking.
- Take Dramamine or other seasickness medication of course!
As we leave Massachusetts, our 22-hour travel time will take us to our first location; Baltimore Canyon. Next stop: Science!