Lat: 75 50.84 N Long: 171 49.40 W
Sunrise: 9:47 am Sunset: 8:32 pm
****Today the research team did another search for polar bears based on their GPS locations. What I find interesting is that we are only able to get data on their locations once per day, I imagined that we would have real time data - sort of like a map on my cell phone. I learned that that sort of data takes a lot of battery power and it would be impossible to have the collar last for that long. The technology they are using with the polar bears is some of the top of the line collaring devices.
The team was able to locate the bear, but she was on ice that was not thick enough or big enough to land a helicopter on. Generally speaking, the ice needs to dry and hard and should be 6 inches thick and about 200 yards long. The bear today was just sitting on small piece of ice about 50 feet wide by 50 feet long. Since they couldn't land, they returned to the boat and we started heading to the next bear.
While hanging out on the bridge en route to the next bear, we spotted some polar bear tracks right along the path that the ship was breaking through the ice. Another person spotted the bear on the starboard (right) side of the boat. A wave of excitement and enthusiasm hit the boat as people rushed to the bridge and the starboard side of the boat to see our first polar bear. She was big and in good condition. We were all amazed because the ice she was walking on was not very thick looking, but she was doing just fine. Every once in a while, her hind legs would fall through, but she would pull her self out and keep going. She was not at all interested in the boat. The researchers could not go out and try to capture her as the ice was too thin for them to safely work on. However, it was encouraging to finally see a bear!
Polar bear tracks on the ice right next to the boat!
Tonight, we finally started to hit more significant pieces of ice as the sun was setting. It was so beautiful that I had to brave the cold and the wind to get some shots of the sunset and the ice.
An arctic sunset over the sea ice.
The ice started to get thicker the further we headed towards bear #3. The big pieces make the whole boat shake!
Random Boat Fact!!! We have hitchhikers that boarded the ship in Seattle!
This is probably the northernmost housefly in the world!
During this expedition, I will feature several Coast Guard Personnel that play different roles around the ship. I started by featuring the Captain in the September 29th journal. Today, I will focus on FOOD! If you have an interest in any other positions in the Coast Guard let me know in the Ask The Team section.
Polar Profile: Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Ryan, a food service specialist
Joshua Ryan joined the Coast Guard 2.5 years ago. His hometown is Fort Wayne, Indiana. He joined the Coast Guard shortly after Hurricane Katrina because he wanted to be part of the the premier search and rescue team in the U.S. He wanted to go into aviation originally, but then while stationed in Kodiak, Alaska he broke his wrist and became medically disqualified from aviation.
Petty Officer Joshua Ryan cooking a delicious dinner of chow mein.
After that, he joined the food service portion of the Coast Guard because he saw the importance of having a good gally for the morale of the overall team. In this position, he also gets to hear about what is going on in all the different parts of the ship. He also enjoys that his work is on display for all during every meal - however, that can also be a downside of the job; people are constantly critiquing the food. His job also comes with long hours; his day typically starts at 5 am and often goes until 7:30 pm.
The food service team works together to prepare 3 meals a day for 150 people. They have enough food on board to feed all 150 people for 180 days! So far, the food has been delicious and there are always lots of choices. Some of the options we have had are lasagna, eggplant parmesan, grilled tuna, lamb curry, fish sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, egg rolls, tofu stir fry, and always a salad bar. One of Ryan's favorite meals to cook is breakfast because of all the options.
The food service team always serves a smile along with the meals.
While they work hard, the keep the morale high in the kitchen!
Ryan is also making sure to take advantage of the perks offered by the Coast Guard around tuition assistance. While you are in the service, the Coast Guard will help to pay for course you are taking as well as books. After, then there is the GI Bill to pay for tuition as well.
All I know, is that I am very thankful to the team of food service specialists who are overfeeding me!
The door to the galley.