Journal Entry

Gone From My Sight

Looking back as we sail away from Nome.Watching the R/V Sikuliaq's wake lead back to Nome. August 25, 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all."

Excerpt of Gone From Site, A Poem by Henry Van Dyke

Today the ship left the port of Nome and we are headed out into the Bering Sea!

The R/V Sikuliaq departs Nome! The R/V Sikuliaq departs Nome! August 25, 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. View looking back to NomeThe view looking back to Nome. August 25, 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.

Before leaving port the Captain and Crew of the R/V Sikuliaq helped remind us all that going to sea is a serious matter and often unpredictable. They used their vast knowledge and experience at sea to help explain how to stay safe during a variety of emergency situations, as well as the simple moments that can turn disastrous by just one misstep!

Lisa Seff wearing life jacket during safety drill.Lisa Seff during the R/V Sikuliaq Life Jacket and Go To Your Emergency Station drill! August 25, 2017. Photo by Christina Kvile, Post-Doc at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. View through the porthole!The seas are picking up! View through the R/V Galley Porthole. August 25, 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.

"Going to sea should not be taken lightly!", were one mates words to help drive home the fact that when working and living aboard a ship in a tossing sea, with heavy equipment surrounded by icy cold waters, safety is not something to take for granted. Consequently a large part of the day was spent going over and practicing specific safety drills, including taking the time to get well acquainted with every part of the ship.

Come join us as the R/V Sikuliaq leaves port and we conduct several safety drills and presentations!

Want an inside view of our first day? Just click on the video link below!

Through the Porthole!

Each journal will highlight student or East Hampton community member Arctic Artwork that they completed on postcards before I left for Alaska. Once in Nome, I mailed the postcards back to everyone. Did they arrive yet? Go on Ask the Team and let me know! And, have you seen your artwork in a journal yet?

Arctic Artwork!Arctic artwork by Mrs. Thayers/Mrs. Steude's 5th grade class 2016/2017. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic Artwork!Arctic artwork by Mrs. Thayers/Mrs. Steude's 5th grade class 2016/2017. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic Artwork!Arctic artwork by Hamlet! August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic artworkArctic artwork by Mrs. Frazier's 5th grade class 2016/2017. August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic Artwork!Arctic artwork by Jimmy K.! August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic organism artwork!Arctic artwork by Ares J.! August 2017. Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic organism artwork!Arctic artwork by Danna V.! Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic organism artwork.Arctic artwork by Nick L.! Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff. Arctic organism artwork.Arctic artwork by Melina S.! Photo by Springs School PolarTREC educator Lisa Seff.

Comments

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 13:55

Nichole L

How long do you think it took you to do the Life Jacket Drill?

Mon, 08/28/2017 - 10:21

Mary

Oh my goodness you've already left Alaska! My question is, given that it is dangerous to run around the ship, and the physical limits of the space on board, how do researchers and crew members get their daily 20/min 5x a week of recommended exercise to maintain their physical health? Is getting the immersion suit on and off a workout, because it sure looks like it might be?! These journal entries and videos are really great, it is such a treat every time you post a new one!

Mon, 08/28/2017 - 12:38

Lisa Seff

Hi Mary! You are correct! It would be dangerous to run around the ship (although really tempting at times because it's so exciting and lots of things going on, on every deck!)  During our first safety drill we were reminded that "this ship was designed to kill you!"  Of course that's not really true, however it was a sobering reminder to think before you take a step!  We have been somewhat sedentary at first, but we'll soon be where we can begin sampling in the Beaufort, so our activity level will step-it-up!  We do need to maintain our health onboard, so good nutrition and exercise are very important.  Consequently, addressing the exercise question, there is a gym onboard!  It's not big, but it does include a rowing machine, several stationary bikes, a treadmill and weights.  Each day, at least 1x, I'll add some simple Pilates exercises, usually first thing in the morning to start my day.  I haven't ventured to use the gym equipment yet, but my goal is to get on a bike or treadmill at least 1x a day for about 20 minutes.

Thanks for the great question and it makes me realize that I should do a journal on the importance of our keeping up with exercise and healthy eating, to keep us at our best while we're doing work on a rolling and tossing home for the next three weeks!
(:
Safe seas and thank you for joining us on the R/V Sikuliaq!
Lisa Seff

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 8/28/2017 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: Mary commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((( Repl

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 02:50

Forest

Your Doing a Great Job Lisa! I am always happy to help answer any questions from students throughout the cruise, Forest

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 05:20

Regina Brinker

Hi, Lisa! i'm excited for you that you may continue with the research project. I'm curious about temperatures, and wonder if you will find differences in water and air temps than were seen on past expeditions. Cheers!

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 06:41

Lisa Seff

Hi and wow Forest (aka Captain of the R/V Sikuliaq)  thank you! I'll definitely take you up on that!(:

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 8/29/2017 2:50 AM
Subject: Re: Forest commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

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Tue, 08/29/2017 - 06:41

Lisa Seff

Hi Regina! So nice to hear from you and I'm excited too!  I'm in a different part of the Beaufort Sea during this research but I'll check in with Dr. Okkonen to see what information he has.   We had an exciting day on the 27th (just finished the movie and will be hopefully posting the journal later this morning).  Dr. Kate Stafford, an oceanographer from University of Washington who does a lot of acoustic work with whale sounds, is on our cruise.  Back in July she deployed a Sloucum Glider which is like a traveling CTD without water collection + it collects sound data from marine organisms which helps scientists determine species types and distributions.  The glider communicates with an ARGOS satellite and researchers are able to collect the data while it's still gliding through the Chukchi.  It was supposed to be traveling independently for about 3 months until they could pick it up, but on the 20th the data just stopped coming in for no apparent reason! So we made an unexpected rescue attempt! (but approved by Dr. Asjian and the Captain).  You'll have to tune into the next journal to see how we made out!

In the meantime you can check out the data from that glider as it moved through the Chukchi Sea at the following public links:
1) scroll down this link (as remember, it stopped communicating data on the 20th) and you'll come to a great variety of data from the Chukchi
http://dcs.whoi.edu/chukchi0717/chukchi0717_unit_595_html/chukchi0717_u…
2) this second link includes the path the glider followed, and the marine sounds and interpretation of the sounds
http://dcs.whoi.edu/chukchi0717/chukchi0717_unit_595.shtml

Safe Seas Regina and thank you for joining us!

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 8/29/2017 5:20 AM
Subject: Re: Regina Brinker commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((( Rep

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 15:51

Maria

Hello! The girls got their post cards in the mail from Alaska! How exciting! We want to send a post card back to you but didn't see a return address. Can you get mail on the boat?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 16:48

Nora C

Did you feel nervous at all practicing all the safety drills, or were you pretty confident and ready to hop right on and start researching?

Tue, 08/29/2017 - 19:42

Lisa Seff

Hi Maria! Oh that's awesome! The post cards made it back to Springs!I'm so excited to hear that news, thank you for sharing!  Unfortunately I cannot
get mail on the boat-although it would be pretty neat if the USPS was able to figure
it out!  The ship will stay out at sea until September 18th when we return
to Nome and then I leave Nome on the 19th.  However you/they can write me 
anytime on this Ask the Team site. (If they really want to send a card they can always send it to me at the school!)
Tell the girls I said hello AND let them know that it has been snowing off and on the last two days and we saw 
gray whales for the first time on the 26th!
We've just entered the Beaufort Sea where the research will begin, it's very exciting.  
thanks for following us!
safe seas,
Lisa 

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 8/29/2017 3:51 PM
Subject: Re: Maria commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((( Rep

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 18:54

Sarah Morgan

Are you required to do all those drills to go out to sea?

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 15:12

Kimberly B.

how long were you on sea? and are you required to know all the drills and how many drills were there?

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 15:39

Anthony G

What is the greatest part of the R/V Sikuliaq?

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Nora-no, not nervous at all! the ships Captain and crew, plus everyone on board are super safety minded so I wasn't nervous.  The drills were similar to fire drills at school, just letting you know what to do in case of an emergency!take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 4:48 PM
Subject: Re: Nora C commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Sarah, yes we are required to do the safety drills on the ship.  We just had another one yesterday.  It's really important that we all know what to do in any emergency.  The Captain and the crew are great at making sure we're all staying safe.  
(:
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: Sarah Morgan commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((( R

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Kimberly-we don't get off the ship, so we'll have been at sea for about 25 days by the time we're done!  And yes, we are required to know all of the safety drills.  The basic are "fire", "man overboard" and "abandon ship".take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/12/2017 3:12 PM
Subject: Re: Kimberly B. commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Anthony...another hard question..The Bridge is pretty amazing...but the main deck has a lot of interesting work going on too.
And the galley with the mess hall for meals is great because you get a few minutes to relax and
enjoy a good meal and hang out for a bit with some really nice researchers and crew members.
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/12/2017 3:39 PM
Subject: Re: Anthony G commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Nichole! We had to spend several hours going over drills and safety when we first got on the ship.take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: Nichole L commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi James! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 9:13 AM
Subject: Re: James B. commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

Tue, 09/12/2017 - 23:26

Lisa Seff

Hi Daniel-we had one long one that lasted a few hours before we went to sea.  (:
take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: Daniel P commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:27

Lisa Seff

Hi Corrina...hmmm, I'll have to look but I'm going to guess about 20 miles.  We can't see shore where we are on the Beaufort Sea.As far as depth...I think the minimum we've been doing is 25 meters, typical seems to be over 300 meters of water.

take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 7:18 AM
Subject: Re: Corrina C commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:27

Lisa Seff

Hi Corrina...hmmm, I'll have to look but I'm going to guess about 20 miles.  We can't see shore where we are on the Beaufort Sea.As far as depth...I think the minimum we've been doing is 25 mete

take care,
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 7:18 AM
Subject: Re: Corrina C commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:27

Lisa Seff

Hi Sarah, yes we are required to do the safety drills on the ship.  We just had another one yesterday.  It's really important that we all know what to do in any emergency.  The Captain and the crew are great at making sure we're all staying safe.
take care,
Lisa  

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/11/2017 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: Sarah Morgan commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((( R

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 15:14

Mark D

Was the Immersion Suit uncomfortable for you or was it comfortable?

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 16:06

Tifany G

What do you have to do at the Port Side of the ship?

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 17:06

Rosa P.

Hi Mrs. Seff, in the video you mentioned that your station was on the port side. What do you do there?

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 18:29

Lisa Seff

Hi Tifany-if it's abandon ship that means I have to go to the port life jacket and life rafts.(:
....hoping we won't have to do that!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/13/2017 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: Tifany G commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 18:43

Sandy O

Hi Mrs. Seff I was just wondering what do you have to do at the Port Side of the ship?

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 19:30

Lisa Seff

Hi Rosa-I only need to go there for  our "Abandon Ship" practice!My life rafts are on the port (left) side of the ship!
(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/13/2017 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: Rosa P. commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 11:44

Kaylynn C.

How many drills did you do in total? And how long did they take?

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 14:54

Jake.K

Hi Mrs. Seff What did the immersion suit feel like on you

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 15:57

David Polkowski

Mrs. Seff, if an emergancy ever would occur, would you be scared of it, and why?

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 16:43

David Polkowski

What would be your greatest fear to happen during your research?

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 14:55

Gregory C

What type of safety drills did you have to practice when you were on that boat?

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 15:40

Lisa Seff

Hi Kaylynn! The first drill was about 3 hours, otherwise I think the ship has done at least 4 additional ones that were shorter.(:
see you soon!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/14/2017 11:44 AM
Subject: Re: Kaylynn C. commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 15:40

Lisa Seff

Hot!  You could see that it would keep you warm for awhile!(:
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/14/2017 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: Jake.K commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 15:40

Lisa Seff

Hi David-I'm assuming you mean on the ship?  So I feel very confident in the ship, crew and science team, so if an emergency arose, I think we'd all be prepared to remain calm and make sure everyone was safe.  Knowing that I'm on a good ship
and with a great team makes me think that if a real emergency happened-I would probably be scared, but in a quiet calm way...because panicking never does anyone any good!  And, I know we have plans and procedures to keep us safe in any emergency.
(:
take care and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/14/2017 3:57 PM
Subject: Re: David Polkowski commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(((

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 15:40

Lisa Seff

Hi Gregory! We had to understand what we had to do in case of fire, man overboard and abandon ship! Those were the top 3.  However we also knew where the eyewash and body wash emergency stations were in case there was an incident with chemicals.  All good to know so we were prepared in case of a real emergency!  For abandon ship we had to get our life jackets and immersion suits and report to our life raft station.(:
Fortunately so far we've had no emergencies!
take care and see you soon!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/17/2017 2:55 PM
Subject: Re: Gregory C commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

(((

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 17:11

Trinity

Hi Mrs. Seff!! how did you feel when you first left port? where you sea sick at all? Also did it take some time getting used to walking around the ship and sleeping?

Sun, 09/17/2017 - 21:40

Lisa Seff

Hi Trinity! Guess you haven't gotten to the "It's not easy being green" journal yet.  Check it out for my hour of not feeling too good! Otherwise I had no issues and didn't need any medications.  Probably 50%+ of the people on the ship are on meds, so I'm one of  the lucky ones. 
My dad always says that everyone "has their wave".  Meaning we can all have a motion, or a time that results in us feeling sea sick, fortunately on this trip I didn't find that wave!

As far as walking around, I grew up on boats so even though they weren't this big, it's still similar.  Sleeping depended on how strong we were rolling with the seas.  I probably had about 7 nights out of 25 that made sleeping tough!  Otherwise not too bad.
take care and I look forward to seeing you back at Springs!
Lisa

From: PolarTREC
To:
Sent: 9/17/2017 5:11 PM
Subject: Re: Trinity commented on 25 August 2017 The R/V Sikuliaq Heads To Sea!

((( Reply

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 07:18

Corrina C

How far off shore do you have to go before putting nets in the water?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 09:08

Daniel P

Dear Mrs. Seff, How many safety drills did you have to do before going out to sea?

Mon, 09/11/2017 - 09:13

James B.

Were you excited to finally go out to sea on board the Sikuliaq?

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