Programs Blog

Monday, 02 June 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):  Mostly sunny, light breeze, warm and dry.  

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 and how to properly wear various safety equipment.  While up forward, students were learning how to fit, adjust and comfortably wear their 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’s Marine Resource Center (MBL/MRC), 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!  Many highlights for each student but two of mine were seeing the faces of students as they held a sea cucumber in their hands (sorry no photo available) and a group photo with a statue of my personal idol Rachel Carson!  The afternoon ended with some leisure time at a local beach. 

Back aboard our home the Corwith Cramer we were treated to an amazing dinner of meat or veggie lasagna, homemade rolls and salad.   And then a lesson by the Chief Scientist about the oceanography of the Gulf of Maine and waters around Cape Cod and the Islands.  This will be essential background information as students begin to collect data for their own scientific explorations. 

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