Office of Marine Programs
University of Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Campus
Narragansett, RI 02882-1197
Phone: 401-874-6211
Fax: 401-874-6486
Email: OMP@gso.uri.edu
Thera Expedition
Teacher: Kathleen
Podraza
Date: Wensday, April 26, 2006
The Galley was where meals were served three times a day by Stan and Mike. The food was excellent and the menu changed daily. In between meals, there was plenty of fruit, snacks, and drinks available for everyone aboard ship. In the evening, my favorite “pick me ups” were the cheese, crackers, baguettes and fruit for the perfect midnight snack after an 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM watch duty.
The Main Lab was the scientists’ work areas. As the scientists study the computer monitors and readouts, they try to determine if the programs are accurately recording data. If the ship is on course and if anything unusual is coming from the sonar side survey.
Three to four scientists/engineers sit in front of five or six screens. Technology plays a very big part in this expedition. As you look at the screens, you can view the stern of the ship, the large A-frame, winch, and the cable that is attached to the Echo (sonar side survey), and the “Clumper,” which is a short distance from the ship.
The Echo is recording part of the floor of the Sea of Crete that has been charted for “mowing the lawn.” It allows the ship to go back and forth over a pre-designated area to get a geologic picture of what the seafloor looks like, to get a record of what rocks, soil, sand, sediment, or any unexplained items are down below us. It is often tedious work, but then something looks different/unusual and that gets everyone excited again.
Around the clock, 24 hours a day, someone is on “Watch Duty” and checking/recording the data that is being generated by the R/V Endeavor’s equipment and software programs.
Technology plays a big part, but it still takes human minds to solve the problems that may occur. In a very short time, it could be that the software is not collecting or analyzing the data correctly. Communication between team members comes alive.
For example, the team may consider slowing the speed of the ship to cause the Echo to drop deeper towards the sea floor, or considering the different currents in the water (which occurs at various levels), or the depth that the cable can go and the amount of weight or load that the cable can handle might be discussed.
It is an incredible experience to be a part of this team and watch the real world of problem solving happen. You are learning something new and watching teamwork in action.
While some are in the Main Lab, an entire group of crew members are working in other areas of the ship. They are maintaining all aspects of the ship to provide clean and safe working conditions for all. They work around the clock and keep the ship in tip top shape. Some of them have worked on ships for a long time and others have just joined the crew. They are friendly and helpful when asked about their work aboard the Endeavor.
