The frenzy before the storm
April 11, 2009

Sea temperature: -0.1°C
Air temperature: 0.5°C

As the Palmer began heading north this morning on its journey back to Punta Arenas, the science teams began the time-consuming process of packing up samples, instruments, and lab supplies. Remaining samples from yesterday’s MOCNESS tow and ROV dive were sorted, photographed, and preserved during the day. The marine technicians disassembled the MOCNESS nets and hung them to dry. The Lagrangian sediment traps were taken apart and put into shipping boxes in the cargo hold of the ship. Lab areas were busy with people finishing measurements and data entry.

Randy Sliester and Chance Miller pull in MOCNESS nets while Rob Sherlock carries a cod end to Dani Garcia. Photo by Debbie Nail Meyer

Data collection is done but analysis continues. The principal investigators can be seen in front of their computers studying data plots and lab notebooks. Lively discussions arise as they work to interpret observations that were made during this expedition.

Everyone is pushing to get as much done today as possible since the weather is predicted to worsen by tomorrow. Transit time is also important for organizing information from the cruise, from data files to photographs. And after days of round-the-clock sample processing, it’s a welcome change of activities.

— Debbie Nail Meyer