Exciting Ship Events - Nearing South Africa!

9-18-08
A few days ago we got to drop an Argo Float into the ocean. There is an oceanographer who is on our ship for just a few weeks to launch several of these devices into the ocean to track the currents of the water. There were only about six of us students that went to this one so it was quite a sight to see! This large metal device was probably about six feet long, and in a cardboard box. We had a little hand held button separate from the device that we had to push to activate it and then we helped lower it into the ocean! We tied a rope to the railing and then lowered it down slowly. We had to measure the exact latitude and longitude that it hit the water at with a hand held radar. This metal device goes through a 10 day cycle of dropping 2000 meters below the water’s surface and then coming back up to the surface. When it returns to the surface it transmits data about the water currents to a satellite. There are 1000’s of them that have been dropped in the ocean and they will continue reporting data for about four to five years.

Today I signed up to do a bridge tour। This consisted of getting to see how the ship is steered along with all the radars, tracking devices, etc. One of the Second Officers showed us all the controls and tracking devices for where we are at, for other boats, for weather and so many more. The computer software was absolutely amazing! It was much bouncier up at the front-he said the third floor in the middle is where the least motion is felt-which is where our room is! An interesting fact he told us was that the ship uses 600 gallons of gas per hour! I have so much appreciation for the crew and captain that have such a vast knowledge of the ship, its technology and the ocean! We arrive in Namibia tomorrow where I have a kayaking trip planned as well as riding some 4x4’s on the sand dunes but other than that we’re going to play it by ear! It is exciting because this is the only port where no faculty, staff or crew member on board this MV Explorer have ever been to Namibia! (Although rumor has it the hairdresser on board has been there). So we’re learning about it and experiencing this new place all together! None of us know what to expect! I’ll post again when I return in about a week from Namibia! Hope all is well with everyone who is reading this!