I got up bright and early this morning. I was very excited about going out on the boat and spending more time with the members of the research team. I had thought that the other people on the team would be much younger. I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the members are around my own age. It just proves that life is definitely still exciting when you reach your forties.Jim picked me up in his cute little convertible. I was really impressed when he got out of the car and opened the door for me. You boys reading this journal should take note because girls like that sort of thing.
We went to the marina and boarded a boat. I was amazed at how many animals were in the marina. There were literally hundreds of birds but my favorites were the California brown pelicans. They are currently listed as "endangered" on the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. When the brown pelican was first listed as "endangered" this spurred the Environmental Protection Agency to place a ban on the use of DDT, a common pesticide, in the United States. The results have been very positive for the brown pelican and in February 2008 there was a petition made to remove them from the list of threatened and endangered wildlife. For more information about these beautiful birds, go to http://www.fws.gov/arcata/es/birds/brnPelican/b_pelican.html.
This is just one of the over fifty California brown pelicans that were watching our boat.
I also saw seals and sea lions. For those of you that might not know the difference, let me share what I learned that morning with you. Both seals and sea lions are marine mammals called pinnipeds. There are several differences but the most distinctive one is that sea lions have ears and most types of seals do not.
Try to figure out what these are. If you look really close, then you can figure it out.
The boat went a short distance out from the shore and then anchored. The divers suited up and went under the water. While the dive tenders (that includes me) waited on the boat, we were treated to a show by a group of dolphins and then saw several blue whales in the distance. I apologize for not having more photographs but I must admit that I became a bit seasick. I was fine while the boat was moving, but once we anchored, the waves knocked the boat repeatedly back and forth. I didn't throw up but I was forced to lie down. I really tried to get up and help the divers when they returned to the boat but I just couldn't "stomach it". Once the boat began moving I was fine and resumed my duties as dive tender. I enjoyed the boat trip but I was a bit glad to step back on solid ground. Stacy was also a bit seasick and let me know that in Antarctica we would be working on land. This means that I don't need to go out and buy seasickness medicine.
After a picnic lunch we all returned to the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. The team spent the afternoon working on SCINI. I know that many of you are aware of just what SCINI is but for the benefit of the new people I will explain. SCINI stands for Submersible Capable of under Ice Navigation and Imaging. In other words, it is an underwater ROV. However, SCINI is much more than the average ROV. Thanks to a three year grant from NSF, Stacy and Bob are building and testing an underwater ROV that will greatly enhance the exploration of the sea floor around Antarctica. You can read a great description of SCINI by going to http://scini.mlml.calstate.edu/index.html. This is the website for Project S.C.I.N.I. 2007. The website includes information about the engineering and software aspects of SCINI as well as a blog of the team's activities in Antarctica during 2007. Jim is currently working on this year's website and I will give you the address once it is up and working.
SCINI is a work in progress. Here is a picture of some of the components of SCINI.
This is your first look at the ROV named SCINI. It is a engineering wonder.
These are just some of the parts that fit together to make SCINI.
SCINI is composed of several parts that are connected together to form a ROV that is about five feet long.
Once Francois, DJ, and Bob have "put SCINI together" it is time to put in her in the water. There is a small test tank located at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. There are several things that the team must test. One of these is to see if SCINI is balanced to function properly in the water. Bob and DJ are adding small pieces of weight to balance SCINI.
SCINI must be evenly balanced to operate correctly in the water.
One of SCINI's main jobs is to take photographs. This is a picture of the camera in SCINI.
SCINI has a camera that must operate at a 90 degree angle.
While we were working on SCINI, a group of young people were taking a tour of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Bob took the time to explain SCINI to the young visitors. A big part of Project SCINI is to educate the public and instill an interest in Antarctica. Bob did a great job as teacher - way to go Bob!
Part of Project SCINI is to educate the public.
I decided to use my camera to take a picture of SCINI while it was under the water. This gives you a little idea of what it will look like when it is under the ice in Antarctica.
I used my camera to take a picture of SCINI under the water. It looks very cool.
SCINI is an engineering wonder. However, it is the software that will enable it to function. Here is Jim watching Scott use the computer to test some of this software. The team is currently working out some kinks in this software. I will let you know how it turns out.
SCINI is a compilation of engineering and software ingenuity.
At 6:00pm I had to tear myself away and leave for the airport. I have had such a great time meeting everyone and getting a taste of what it will be like in Antarctica. I still have a lot to do before I leave but I can't wait. Here is a parting picture from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Can you imagine going to work every day and looking at this? Being a scientist does have its perks.
Scientists prefer to work near or in the field. What a great view!