Life on the TGT by Francesca Alatorre

Life thus far on the R/V Thomas G. Thompson has been one of the most exciting experiences of my academic and emerging research career in oceanography. I have a large variety of experience on water-crafts, including board sports, kayaking, outrigger canoeing, and sailing small boats under 14'. But this has been the longest amount of time I have spent on a ship, especially on a ship exceeding 200'. My excitement remains as we work our way into the second week aboard. Thus far, I very fortunately have not had significant issue with motion sickness, but I will count that toward my preventive medication use on occasion. Additionally, this being my first experience on a large ship research cruise, I have also experienced my first few storms aboard the R/V Thomas G. Thompson. The first occurred during our steaming days to our first station; we waited on station for roughly 36 hours waiting for the swell and winds to calm enough for the CTD rosette to have its first cast.



Figure 1: The CTD rosette in the staging bay, after the test cast.  Figure 2: One section of the ARGO float; my contribution is the smiley face. Photo By Francesca Alatorre

 

I worked as the CTD operator for the first cast. Although, I was under extreme pressure from those above me to make sure the cast went without issues, the CTD analyst walked me through the process and answered all questions I had. Now working on the 17 cast of this cruise, I have grown the confidence I have in my new operating skills, but still will default to the knowledge of my more experienced colleagues. Consequently, the CTD rosette has run into a few rather interesting issues of the past week. Including changing out the bottle-releasing carousel when some bottles refuse to respond to the software, switching out the oxygen sensor when the data came back with too many errors, and some bottles misfiring due to insufficient tension to keep them open when needed. Despite the constant level of stress my shift partner and I feel due to being almost entirely responsible for the water samples most others will use for analysis, I still feel well supported during this wonderful adventure.

One of the activities the student watchstanders had the pleasure of doing was decorating the ARGO floats that this cruise (TN-389) will be deploying. Each float was "adopted" by various schools across the country and each float is decortated per the instructions and ideas left by the students and teachers. My contribution to one of the floats is limited to my drawing ability, pictured is my smiliey face in Figure 2. The final image I have added was taken from the stern of the ship looking toward the bow during a particularly wonderful sunrise just a few days ago. I feel this image captures my excitement to be on such an incredible adventure.

 



Figure 3: Sunrise on the R/V Thomas G. Thompson. Photo by Francesca Alatorre

The world of the TGT from a greenhorn - by Paige Hoel

"You're gonna want to get the prescription strength seasickness meds."

Dr. Becker was passing along some sage wisdom on the first official A20 cruise meeting over Zoom this past December. Only as she was saying this did the gravity of this adventure begin to sink in

.

Figure 1. Steaming north on a beautiful day. Photo Credit: Paige Hoel

This is my first cruise on an oceanographic vessel. And it has been a long time coming.

I was four years old when my parents bought a pack of National Geographic documentaries on VHS. One of those documentaries followed Robert Ballard to the eastern Atlantic to find the shipwreck of the WWII era battleship Bismarck. I saw them piloting Alvin, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) which bought real images of the seafloor up to the labs on the ship. I was amazed. I was obsessed. Once I turned 18 I began applying for cruise opportunities for undergraduates. Lots and lots of applications, lots and lots of rejections. And now, finally, 7 years later, I am aboard the R/V Thomas G Thompson (TGT)

Although I have nothing to compare it to, the first three days aboard the R/V Thomas G Thompson have proved to me that this boat is nothing but smart, funny, nonjudgmental, and kind people. All of the crew and scientists have a desire to pass along knowledge, and to introduce themselves while still adhering to the COVID rules aboard the ship. I am thankful to hear that I am not the only person new to this experience. I am also relieved to hear how so many of the scientist and crew have practically spent half of their lives on research vessels. I feel welcome and safe and excited.

Figure 2. Champion of the immersion suit Photo Credit: Paige Hoel

It is now our fourth full day aboard. I'm present, well medicated with seasickness meds, and heading the warnings of the crew and scientists. I am excited, I am ready to learn as much as possible, and I am ready (and already loving) taking a break from the real world. This is the TGT world now! In the TGT world the big news is instruments breaking or working well, how everyone is preparing for their shift adjusted sleeping schedules, how to turn off all of the data sucking things on your devises, and what the amazing galley is serving up for us at the next meal. I like this world.

Although its only been about four full days on the ocean, I have already learned a great deal.

1.     If you're going to the North Atlantic, heed Susan's advice and get some form of prescription strength seasickness meds. Even if you think you're good without them. Trust me.

2.     Slam your drawers shut, hear them click closed. Pretend there's a soul sucking demon in there and he will escape in the night if you don't latch that door shut.

3.     Prepare for the cruise as if you'll have absolutely no internet. You might have some, but you'll feel much better knowing if something happens you still have all the information/ entertainment you need.

4.     Sample order on a CTD rosette is important. Very important.

5.     Be careful if you choose to run on the treadmill in 15-20 ft swell. Probably best to not even attempt this.

6.     Go up to the bridge. Especially when its twilight. They love to explain the processes they go through and what everything means. They're also perfectly fine with you just standing there out of the way gawking at the view

7.     Plain cheerios and/ or chex is a perfectly acceptable meal when you're seasick

I wish I could tell my four-year-old self that we would be doing this one day. Heres to the bizarre commitment to postponing regular life for a life at sea! Heres to keeping the promises you made to yourself! Heres to a safe, fun, awesome month aboard the R/V TGT!

Figure 3. The almighty rosette. Photo Credit: Paige Hoel

Self-Isolation - by Elena Perez

March 11, 2021 marked one year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. For me, and everyone else who boarded the ship on March 15, that was Day 11 of our 14 day self-isolation period. It’s one of the many protocols that everyone boarding the R/V Thomas G. Thompson must follow.




Figure 1: A few of the things I packed for the A20 cruise. Although we are only visiting domestic US ports, the passport is for just in case of emergencies.

Since the declaration last year, cruises have adapted to keep doing science safely. As mentioned, all personnel - crew, marine technicians, and scientists must complete a 14 day self-isolation period and receive multiple COVID tests. If you could self-isolate at home, you were allowed to do that, given that anyone else living in the house follows the same protocol. Most of the science party boarded in Woods Hole, so we were isolated in airbnbs or hotels on upper Cape Cod from March 1-14. If you fly in from out of state, you had to receive a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to flying.

Everyone had to get tested at the beginning of the self-isolation period. As well as at the end of the self-isolation period, 72 hours prior to boarding. If we needed to take a taxi or rideshare car to the testing clinic or to the port, we had to sit as far away from the driver as possible, windows rolled down, and the ride should not last longer than 15 minutes.

To pass the time during the isolation period there’s a few fun activities such as: finish up work, read, take your temperature twice a day, watch movies/shows, home workouts, monitor for COVID symptoms, etc. During this time I became hyper aware of my health. A few times I tricked myself into thinking I had COVID symptoms, e.g. whenever my temperature was higher than the previous reading or whenever I’d sneeze. Around day 5, my temperature jumped 1.1°F from my previous day and I was worried that my temperature was going to increase exponentially (see Figure 2, left panel). A quick google search eased those worries. According to the CDC, the fever threshold is 100.4°F and my temperatures were well within the range of average body temperature (97-99°F).




Figure 2: My reaction on day 5, before I realized my temperature fluctuates between the morning and night (left) and a log of my daily temperature (right).



After 3 negative COVID tests and 14 days of self-isolation, I was ready to board the Thompson. Although we've all had to go through the same measures, we’re going to continue to wear masks and social distance for a week onboard. We’ll still be reporting our temperatures daily. No more than 2 people to a table during meal times (the food is excellent, by the way). If more space is needed during mealtimes, we can spread out in the library and lounge. The weather shouldn’t be too bad for the first few days, which will hopefully give me some time to get my sea legs.

At 1:30pm on March 16, we set sail for the Grand Banks. After a 3 day steam we’ll arrive at our first station (43.11°N, 50.73° W, see Figure 2). From there, the cruise will proceed at a southward angle until 41.10°N, 52.33° then due southward until 9.20°N, 52.33°W. Throughout the cruise several floats will be deployed at the CTD stations: 6 WHOI Argo floats, 8 UW biogeochemical (BGC) floats from the biogeochemical Argo project, and 3 WHOI RAFOS floats.



Figure 3: U.S. GO-SHIP A22 and A20 planned cruise tracks (left) and a schematic of an Argo float (right).