Programs Blog
Harnesses on the Headrig, Hydrowinch training, and Ice Cream Oh My!
Saturday, 02 August 2025
Noon Position: (Lat and Long): 41 deg 31.4’ N x 070deg 40.3’W
Ship Heading (degrees): NA – Alongside Dyers Dock
Ship Speed (knots): NA – Alongside Dyers Dock
Log (nm): 0.0
Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Sunny and breezy.
Description of Location: Alongside Dyers Dock in Woods Hole, MA
Oh my goodness, what a day. We have been busy from sun up to sun down! Final day of preparations and training before we set sail for the high seas. I am excited to report that students began their training in the lab, learning how to operate our scientific winch and hydraulic J-Frame. Both are used in tandem to deployed heavy oceanographic equipment. Every student had hands-on, driving the winch and J-Frame and calling out proper commands while also observing all safety protocols.
Additional training included the responsibilities of standing deck Watch which incudes helm, lookout, Boat Check and a turn at doing dishes in the galley! While up forward, students were learning how to fit, adjust and comfortably wear their safety, chest harnesses. These are worn during Watch so students can clip in while working near the ship’s rail and while traversing across the head rig (forward netting at the bow of the ship) during sail handling.
In the afternoon there was a tour of Woods Hole and the many scientific organizations. It was an exercise in keeping track of various acronyms: Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s (WHOI) Discovery Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA/NMFS), the Buzzards Bay Coalition (BBC), and Woodwell Climate Research Center (WCRC) and of course SEA! There were many highlights for each student but two of my favorites was a group photo taken with an original titanium sphere from the submersible Alvin, and another group photo next to the statue of Rachel Carson my personal inspiration. The afternoon ended with a swim call at Stony Beach (which actually is quite sandy) and a stop for ice cream on the way home!
Believe it or not, all of that in one day. But now we are ready to set sail tomorrow morning after a good night’s sleep. From here on out you will be hearing directly from the students about their experience, so stay tuned.
Cheers
Chief Scientist -Jeffrey M. Schell
P.S. Up next, students writing the blog!
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Programs
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- Ocean Exploration
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- Science at SEA
- SEA Expedition
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- Pre-College
- Proctor Ocean Classroom
- Protecting the Phoenix Islands
- SPICE
- Stanford@SEA
- Undergraduate
- Climate and Society
- Climate Change and Coastal Resilience
- Coral Reef Conservation
- Marine Biodiversity and Conservation
- MBL
- Ocean Exploration: Plastics
- Ocean Policy: Marine Protected Areas
- Oceans and Climate
- Pacific Reef Expedition
- The Global Ocean: Hawai'i
- The Global Ocean: New Zealand