I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.- John Masefield
Looking up toward the Crows Nest on the WHOI Research Vessel Knorr. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Today I traveled North to Cape Cod and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute where I had the pleasure of meeting with two of the three research scientists I’ll be working with in Barrow Alaska this coming summer. Dr. Carin Ashjian, from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) and Dr. Bob Campbell, from the University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography greeted me warmly as I arrived at the door of Dr. Ashjians lab and office located in the village of Woods Hole.
After getting to know each other over a great lunch of giant sandwiches from the Café Swope we walked over a drawbridge and up the road to the WHOI research vessel pier. Dr. Ashjian had organized an in-depth tour of the WHOI Research Vessel Knorr for Dr. Campbell and I while she joined a conference call back in her office.
The Institution's large research vessels are continually at sea on scientific missions, so it is a rare sight to see three at their home port at the same time. Clockwise from the bottom, they are R/V Knorr, R/V Oceanus (no longer with the institution), and R/V Atlantis.(Photo by Doug Weisman, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
The R/V Knorr is owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. The general public may remember the Knorr for her work supporting researchers as they discovered the wreck of the Titanic back in the 80’s.
The Research Vessel Knorr docked alongside the WHOI pier. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Director of Ship Operations Al Suchy, and Captain Kent Sheasley greeted us at the base of the gangway and welcomed us aboard. They introduced us to the Knorr explaining that she was built in the late 60’s with a midlife overhaul in 1991, which included carving her in half to add additional space, resulting in her present length of 279 feet. Mr. Suchy explained that the Knorr is a Global Class ship meaning she is designed to explore all ocean regions except those covered by solid ice.
Director of Ship Operations Al Suchy standing on the main deck of the R/V Knorr. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
The Knorr can however explore along the edge of the ice pack, which can make for challenging nautical maneuvers and deck work as the ice pack shifts with the winds and ocean currents and extreme cold temperatures prevail. And, while the ship is not an icebreaker we could see that they do plenty of breaking ice as we looked through photographs of the crew chipping away at the ice-encrusted decks from past journeys to the Polar Regions.
To withstand the rigors of waves, wind, and sometimes ice, oceanographic research vessels must be large, sturdy, and well designed. Here, Capt. A.D. Colburn, right, crew member Bill Dunn, and others use ice mallets to break up ice that formed on the foredeck of R/V Knorr during a research cruise in the Labrador Sea. (Photo by George Tupper, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
A favorite ship detail of researchers working in these conditions is a protected, heated hanger on the starboard side of the main deck. I could easily see why both scientists and crew appreciated this area as it provides protection from the elements and offers a direct-link access point to the interior wet lab area.
Captain Sheasley stands in the starboard deck hanger of the R/V Knorr with a CTD unit. CTD is an acronym for Conductivity, Temperature and Depth, 3 ocean variables that are measured within this cluster of devices. The door behind him leads directly to the ships Wet Lab. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
There’s just something about a good boat story that can make any crowd fall silent as the story is retold, and the bigger the boat, the better the story.
Photo of the R/V Knorr underway and riding up a swell approximately 200 miles off-shore near the northern boundary of the Gulf Stream. Photo taken by a mate on the R/V Atlantis in early March 2012, courtesy of Al Suchy and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
Typically there are two reactions from the audience at the end of a good sea-going story: the silent, eyes-wide, jaw dropping expression, or the whoop! of explosive laughter, usually prompted by the story teller because they’re so happy to have survived the situation to tell the tale. Walking along with the land-based Director of Ship Operations Mr. Suchey and the sea-based Captain Sheasley, allowed time for some brilliant ship stories including details from both of their different land vs. sea-based perspectives.
Photo of the R/V Knorr underway and riding down a swell approximately 200 miles off-shore near the northern boundary of the Gulf Stream. Photo taken by a mate on the R/V Atlantis in early March 2012, courtesy of Al Suchy and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.
Another funny thing about boat stories is that, similar to potato chips….you can never just have one. Consequently we heard several great tales from Knorrs million-plus miles of exploration around the globe (that’s equivalent to more than 2 round trips to the moon!). It became increasingly evident that Mr. Suchey, Captain Sheasley, the crew and scientists were all highly qualified, very good at their respective jobs, and had the necessary trust in each other and the ship to bring any research expedition to it’s successful completion.
Stormy weather view from the R/V Knorr. WHOI Irminger Sea:Where the Arctic Meets the Atlantic. Daily Journal:Wind on the Water October 6, 2008. Photo by Nick Møller.
In addition to the ship tales, I found that there were three parts of the ship that left the greatest impression on me. The pilothouse, the engine room and the main deck.
The Pilothouse:
The pilothouse onboard the R/V Knorr is a marriage of ancient maritime techniques and the most advanced computer technology available. Due to the ships Dynamic Positioning System, unique multi-directional propulsion system and it’s talented crew, the Knorr has the ability to maintain itself in any position for extended periods of time, even when high winds and rough conditions prevail.
Captain Sheasley explains the Dynamic Positioning System onboard the R/V Knorr. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Dr. Bob Campbell, URI and Al Suchy join in on the navigation discussion with Captain Sheasley in the R/V Knorr Pilothouse. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
The Engineers Control and Machinery Rooms:
Three words: Huge, spotless and loud!
Piotr Marczak, Relief Chief Engineer, James “Reggie” Proctor, Oiler and Wayne Sylvia, Assistant Engineer troubleshooting in the Engineers Control Room on the R/V Knorr. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Lisa Seff with ear protection on in one section of the Machinery Room aboard the R/V Knorr. April 6, 2012. Photo by Dr. Bob Campbell.
The Main Deck:
The deck was uniquely designed to accommodate any equipment scientists might require during their time shipboard, including personal portable laboratories. Mr. Suchey explained that all equipment and structures are designed to bolt directly to the deck, due to the frequent pitching and rolling that occurs at sea.
Equipment bolted down to the deck of the R/V Knorr. April 6, 2012. Photo by Lisa Seff.
Back to the lab!
After leaving the Knorr Dr. Campbell and I headed back to rejoin Dr. Ashjian in the lab to focus on our upcoming August/September research expedition. We will be conducting research onboard the 43-foot Research Vessel Annika Marie off the coast of Barrow Alaska. A good bit smaller than the Knorr, the R/V Annika Marie will allow us to go places and maneuver in ways that the larger vessel cannot, and much of the equipment we will be using to gather samples and data are scaled down versions of what can be found on larger ships. Dr. Ashjian and Dr. Campbell explained that the outbound and inbound portions of each day shipboard will focus on various types of data collection including modern acoustic instrumentation as well as more traditional techniques such as net sampling. Dr. Ashjian also showed me several “must have” items for our onboard research including a good pair of deck boots and Carhartt-like work jacket for deck work. After outside sampling work they advised me to be ready to peel off some layers as the Captain keeps the inside of the Annika Marie toasty warm and always has plenty of good food available to warm us up on the inside too! I was curious about the wildlife we might expect to see, beyond the zooplankton caught in our nets, and they discussed the great variability in their observations over the years, which included bowhead, grey and beluga whales, polar bears, seals, caribou and various sea birds.
We wrapped up our day by crossing the street to enjoy some local fish nuggets with other researchers, co-workers and locals at the spring opening day of the Landfall, a local restaurant and watering hole. What a great way to end a very interesting day!