The waiting was finally over. The Healy had docked into harbor and was ready to take on all the eager scientists and even two teachers. Maggie and I actually got to be part of the search party for the Healy with Ned Cokelet, a NOAA oceanographer and our driver/ navigator. The Healy was quite impressive with my first look. She sat in the harbor and I could see that she was seaworthy and could not wait to see how she really worked through the ice. Not to mention, all the passageways and my room that will be my home away from home for the next month.
Healy at Dock
USCG Healy docked at the Dutch Harbor Port
I am rooming with a scientist, Nancy Kachel. Nancy is a physical oceanographer and will be looking at the hydrography and circulation. This basically means her team is using the CTD and will be responsible for much of the collection of water. This is otherwise known as a large rosette of Niskin bottles that collect water at various depths that is put into the water with a large crane.
The day was filled with tons of greetings and names of all the science teams. Those years of teaching hundreds of students has paid off with the ability to keep up with the names and faces. The research teams were working hard and getting all their labs set up and ready to go by tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Connie!! Office buddy, I hope you are enjoying your day.