Programs Blog

Jeffrey M. Schell, Chief Scientist

Ship’s Log

Current Position
Anchored Opunohu Bay, Mo’orea, French Polynesia

Ship’s Heading and Speed
Anchored

Sail Plan
NA

Weather
Light breeze coming from the North East, seas picking up in the bay.

Souls on Board

Today we begin to make way toward our next destination, Rangiroa. However, before we are ready to do so there is still some training to be done.

Before asking students to record scientific observations as part of their snorkel surveys we ensure they are familiar and comfortable with all of the equipment beforehand. This involves a detailed walk-through of all the steps at a local beach. Following this, each student practices with the equipment in the water under the guidance of the professional crew. It was a busy final morning before departure but well worth the time.

Aloft on the course yard, Kelly appreciates our view in Opunohu Bay.

We have seen tremendous progress in these few days of training. Students are becoming more accustomed to their new home the Robert C. Seamans and are now more comfortable in the water. Students who had never snorkeled before were now successfully conducting scientific observations on a beautiful reef in Mo’orea!

By the time you read this we will have moved on from Mo’orea and well on our way to Rangiroa!

Cheers,

Jeffrey M. Schell, Chief Scientist