Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 19:17:51 +0000 From: Coronesi, Stephanie [mailto:Stephanie.Coronesi@lmg.polar.org] Subject: Message 2 16:03 (2002.01.04) 58 Degrees 17.586' South Latitude 64 Degrees 58.516' West Longitude (Drake Passage) Air Temp: 4.8 Degrees C SST (Sea Surface Temperature): 2.458 Wind Speed: 19 knots 300 Degrees Air Pressure: 994 mBar Hello Everybody! Well, I know you're all expecting an in-depth explanation of our project here, but as I began to delve further into the specifics of Long Term Ecological Research, I realized that this is not a subject that I want to explain until I fully understand it myself. This enlightenment depends on conversations with about four different science groups, all of which are currently involved in their daily research. I've had a couple of brief interviews and I've got pages full of information, but I want to make sure that I give the proper attention to detail that this topic deserves. So, as it stands, I think the highly scientifically informative message will be sent on Monday so I have the weekend to revise it and make it as clear and concise as possible. That said, here's what I've been up to the past couple of days: On Tuesday, 2002.01.02, at about 10:30AM customs came to check out the boat and stamp our passports. By 1PM the engines were running and the ship pulled away from the harbor. Most of us stood on deck and waved and watched as the dock got smaller and smaller. Within ten minutes there was a porpoise swimming alongside our ship and a beautiful seabird arcing and gliding overhead! I think I saw him flap his wings twice in the three minutes we watched him. He just rode the wind current, diving and swooping overhead like a big gray feathery kite. We stayed out for a while, then headed in for our first safety meeting at 1:30PM in the lounge. We all showed up with our Mustang suits (or "Gumby" suits) which live in big orange bags in your cabins. If an alarm sounds you're supposed to walk briskly to your cabin, grab your suit, make sure your roommate isn't in the shower unable to hear the alarm, then head directly to the lounge. If it's an actual emergency you are to get into your Mustang suit while roll is called, then proceed in an orderly fashion to the lifeboats. We practiced getting into our suits which are not exactly the height of comfort, but are indispensable in case of emergency. They are "full immersion" suits. The only portion of your body exposed is your eyes and you breathe sort of somehow through the gap near your nose. They're bright orange and designed to keep you warm, dry, and afloat should you somehow wind up in the water. There are whistles and flashlights too, and you're also issued a life jacket for additional floatation. The lifeboats are totally enclosed and self-righting. That means that if the boat was tipped in a swell the weight of the people on the boat would cause it to flip back upright. There is enough food and water on each boat to last four days and though we all pretty much fit in just one boat, all four would be launched to attract the most attention from the rescue people who would come for us. I have to say, I feel totally safe. We have drills every week and the crew obviously knows what they're doing. Okay MOM? :) I have attached a picture of a lifeboat so you can get an idea of what they look like. As we journeyed through the Straits of Magellan we had a Chilean pilot on the bridge. Legally we need to have a pilot who is exceptionally familiar with the Straits and their intricacies for purposes of navigation. Once we were through the Straits a boat came alongside to pick the pilot up and bring him back to land. Once out on the Atlantic, the waves were a bit larger, but we were still protected by land to the west. Rich and I went up to the bridge to take in the view and step outside for some fresh air. We wound up spending about an hour and a half with the Birders; Donna, Bill & Brett staring out the windows pointing out different types of seabirds for identification. We saw a ton of different albatross, including the "Wandering Albatross" which has a wingspan that can reach twelve feet! We also saw Rockhopper penguins and Magellanic penguins alongside the boat. Informational tidbit: The Antarctic has penguins and no polar bears and the Arctic has polar bears and no penguins! Last night we cleared land and officially entered the Drake Passage. The journey through the "Dreaded Drake" has been a comparatively good one, I'm told. I spent some time last night learning how to launch and monitor XBTs. These are expendable probes that we drop to measure water temperature at different levels. I'm on another shift tonight when I'll learn even more and I'll be sure to add that in on the next big juicy scientific entry which you should be receiving on Monday, 2002.01.07. Cheers from the Drake! -Steph "Miss C"