Journal

At dock, sailing at 05:00 am tomorrow

There are a lot of preparations necessary to get a 300 foot research vessel ready to sail, and today was no exception. A great deal of time was spent loading supplies, personnel, and finishing those last minute preparations that always appear to never get completed. One of the main goals for me today was to get internet connected, to make sure that while at sea with limited connectivity I will be able to continue to blog and share the science and experiences of our scientific exploration.

The Palmer at dock ready to sail
A beautiful day in Punta Arenas as we get ready to sail.

I am not sure any of you know, but I have been battling of late with my computer. At first when I responded to blog posts all my text had code imbedded in the responses and that wasn't going to work. I since have been trying to use a different program, and in this new platform I have not even been able to send in a message, so tonight is attempt three.

So you might ask, what does it take to send a blog post with pictures from the southern ocean to your home computers?

A brief look at the sailing chart
During this trip I will be working with various scientists as we collect data. Thank you Paw Paw Schools for our amazing flag.

Well, I write the blog in TextWrangler, a writing program that cleans up the script for the internet. I then email the blog to PolarTREC, who then have the difficult job of uploading my blog and pictures to the web. Each blog that I write has embedded prompts like 'Picture 25' placed in the script and that is where PolarTREC embeds the photos I will take and then email to Fairbanks, one picture at a time.
Tonight is a test, and I so hope it works.

On the bridge with Dad
My father sent along a Burgie, the flag from his Florida Power Squadron. I placed it on the captains chair as without Dad I wouldn't be here.

Since we are about to sail, I though it might be a great time to see the bridge, check out the equipment, and get a feel from the brains of the operation. Please check back for further blogs about the crew and what it takes to run a successful research expedition.

It is also time to start highlighting flags, oh my goodness I have over 150 flags to fly and not a minute can be lost on dilly dallying.
From Illinois to Florida to Colorado, our proud flag followers today will start us off on this amazing voyage of exploration.

A family of flags from Colorado
A great big thank you to the Booth Boys who sent me flags from Colorado. It is an honor to sail with you as I was your mother's teacher quite a few years ago, and I love that the legacy continues.

Biweekly challenge.

Can you identify this peace of equipment and let me know in the comments what type of data we might receive. Thanks everyone for reading. Tomorrow we will meet the IT department as they are the reason why you are reading this post.

Cottage Lane Elementary School, NY
Greetings Cottage Lane Elementary School from Blauvelt, New York. Hope you don't mind me using your flags for a challenge.

Details
Author
Jillian Worssam
Date
Location
Punta Arenas, Chile
Expedition
Sea Floor Changes and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Weather Summary
Rainy

View Comments

Comments

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 08:36

Nayeli Springs…

Hi Jillian.My name is Nayeli, I live in Springs. I would like to answer your third challenge. I think the peace of equipment is to measure data. I hope you have a great time.

Nayeli

Fri, 10/03/2014 - 12:35

Marcus Eliason

Hello, this all sounds very interesting, and i wish you the best of luck. Two things i would like to know; how old is this vessel? And how hard is it to get an internet connection out there? I would help you with that computer problem, but i'm thousands of miles away. Best of luck,
-Marcus.

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 08:37

Springs School…

hi Jillian
My name is Mitchell and i'm from springs New York and i think the machine in the picture is a machine that reads data from the sea .

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 09:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Kelsey,
Great guess on the piece of equipment, but sadly not quite right. I
will give you a clue, think weather. Thanks for following along.
Jillian

On 2014-09-23 07:38, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Sammi, Thanks for the message. I too love tennis and so far I am having a great trip. The instrument is not a printer, but that is an
excellent guess. Jillian

On 2014-09-23 07:38, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Dimitrios, I have not seen any whales yet. We do have marine mammal observers on the vessel and they have promised to come and get me
at any time whales and other sea animals are spotted. We are in open
ocean now, so not seeing too much...yet. Thanks for asking, Jillian

On 2014-09-23 07:53, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hello Fourth Grade, Wow, all your answers are marvelous and so far you are the closest to a correct answer, but I am not ready to tell you
which answer is the correct answer. Would you like to refine your
answer. I am super impressed. Jillian

On 2014-09-23 08:01, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Mary,
Great guess on the picture, but not quite correct. We are collecting
data from the bottom of the ocean in this region, but with diffenrt
forms of equipment, and all hooked into computers.

Thanks for writing
Jillian

On 2014-09-23 07:48, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Kate,
I must say I am getting some super guesses on the "black box" but sadly
no one correct yet. It is a tricky one, as this is an older piece of
equipment and has been predominantly replaced with computers. thanks
for trying.
Jillian

On 2014-09-23 07:40, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi David, Yes there are penguins in Chile, and I am hoping to take pictures on my return trip before heading back to the United States.
Jillian

On 2014-09-23 09:33, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 10:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Kaitlyn, LOTS of equipment. I am hoping in my blog to highlight some of the different equipment. Today I will be writing about
preparing for the seismic work, and the high pressure "air guns" they
use. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 19:52, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Sat, 10/04/2014 - 05:26

Jillian Worssam

Hi Marcus, Thanks for the questions. The vessel is approximately 23 years old, and I must say one of the most well organized, clean vessels
I have ever sailed on. There is lots of space, many scientific labs and
just very well maintained. The internet is tricky. We have what is
called batch email through the government and every half an hour message
are sent up to the satellite and then a bunch is sent down. We also
have on board a limited amount of wireless. Each person gets 15 mb of
data daily. Once it is used up your device is locked up until the next
24 hour period. I have learned to be very judicious with my internet
use. Thanks for writing. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-10-03 13:35, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 07:04

Kevin Vargas-Cabrera

Hi Ms Worssam
I am curios if your team knows why on one side of the earth is building ice caps and on the other side the ice caps are melting?

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Ashley, There are 46 people on board the Palmer, each with a different jobs and role. Wow, numbers of careers. I would say about 29
careers as of those 46 people, 29 are who run the vessel and do
everything from Captain, to cook, electronics to navigation. Thanks for
asking. Ms..Worssam

On 2014-09-22 10:10, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 07:05

Jacob Carpenter

Hi Ms. Worssam
What kind of equipment is on the research vessel? How long did it take you to get to Antarctica?
That's all until next week.

Jacob

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Colton, Hey, practice your T3C writing and place your questions in complete sentences? I am haivn a blast, learning lots and I will work
on a bathroom picture for you. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 12:43, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 07:08

Brayden Monell

How big is the ship that your on? What type of food do you eat?

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Matthew, Polar TREC is really speedy. Usually within a few hours my blog is put on line after I send it off to PolarTREC. Thanks. Ms.
Worssam

On 2014-09-22 12:43, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 07:10

Sydney Beckstead

Hello again Ms. Worssam! I'm glad you're trip has been enjoyable thus far. Are you learning anything yet? What are some of the different kinds of equiptment that they use on the research vessel to measure the temperature of the water, or the amount of wildlife that's in it? Hope you're having fun!

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Tristan, Yes I have met the other scientists and they are great. There are a total of 17 in the science party and I am learning so much.
Don't forget to follow along as I will try to highlight each scientist
in the blog. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 12:42, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 07:10

Kelly Begay

Hello Ms. Worssam,
Can you give me a few examples about the preparations you have to do before you sail. Thank you and I hope you have fun on your adventure=)

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Edith, When on a vessel at sea, usually the first few weeks have fresh veggies and fruit Once we run out it will be more traditional
food. The cooks on this vessel are amazing, I am scared I will get
fatter while on board because everything is so delicious. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 10:15, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Andrew, The flights were great, I ate well, and have not yet seen any sea life. We have now set sail and life is good. And if I could I
would spend half a year at sea and the other half teaching. So far I
have not yet found that type of job. Thanks for asking. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 12:44, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 07:11

eli barreras

Hello Ms.Worssam,Chile looked really nice send me a post card

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Brandon, Great guess, not quite correct. The word "bridge" on a boat is the part of the boat that controls the movement and motion of
the boat, out direction, speed and course. It is the brain because
without the bridge the boat would go nowhere. Don't forget, I am
heading to the Antarctic. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 12:42, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Sarah, The whole cruise came together...well, a team of scientists wrote a proposal, they submitted it for funding and the opportunity to
collect scientific data. Once accepted they were given a time farm for
the research expedition. Then the planning for supplies, materials, and
everything that the boat might need was shipped to Chile. Then they and
to choose crew, and decide how many people they needed int eh science
party. Lots of planning. I will be giving more details on the
instruments later on in the blog. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 10:16, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:10

Willow W.

Hi Ms. Worssam! What kind of equipment will you be using? How do you use it? What will your job be on the ship/ what do you have to do? Those are just a few questions I had... Good luck!

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Jasmine, Great question. The ship has a de-salinization machine. It can convert the salt water to fresh water Yahoo, we will not run
out. Talk with you soon. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 10:14, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Kevin, Interesting comment, I am wondering where ice caps are building? I am unaware of any locations where ice is building. With
climate change many locations on the planet are loosing ice at an
alarming rate. Thanks for asking and checking in. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 08:04, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:12

Tyler Long

How many computers are there total?and what does each computer do?

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Ragan, Thanks for writing. The main purpose of sailing is to study the Scotia Sea, and specifically the Scotia Arc, how the continental
plates are moving and how it is affecting the Antarctic Circumpolar
current. I am still learning about this myself, but will keep you in
the loop. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 10:13, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:13

Kyle Parkhurst

Hows the food? How does it taste? how many times have you barfed? Whats the tempture, I dont think i spelled that right. Is the water covered in ice or is it still liquid? I hope You can answer all my questions I will have more once i do more research about it. See ya soon hpe you have fun!

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:14

kyle taunton

Hi Ms worssam,What is the average temperature outside? How large is the ship your on? And the instument is either a sismigraph or the instrument to map the bottom of the ocean.

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:14

kyle taunton

Hi Ms worssam,What is the average temperature outside? How large is the ship your on? And the instument is either a sismigraph or the instrument to map the bottom of the ocean.

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Sydney, I am learning so much very day that there are moments when I think my brain will explode. Lots of equipment. I am planning to do
an entire blog on just equipment. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 08:10, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

Yamile Lujan

Was the plane ride what you expected? Was it scary going to places you haven't been too before? Hope your having fun! (:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

sierra ward

how is it going overe there?? will each flag look different from your experiment????

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Willow, There is so much equipment on this boat that I do not know where to start. There is the equipment used to run the boat, the
equipment for the scientific studies, there is the equipment to load
supplies onto the boat..The list is endless. Hopefully as we move
further into the cruise I can learn more and more and make some sense of
all the amazing tools on board. Thanks for asking. ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 09:10, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

Cedric Benally

Hey, Ms. Worsaam how was your flight to Chile? What kind of intresting things did you do? how do you sleep while you're on the boat? What is the tempreture in Antartica?

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Kyle, I have not barfed yet. I am optimistic that I will not get sick. So you can't ask any more or you might jinx me. No ice on the
water yet, we are currently in open sea, so not cold enough. Thanks for
writing. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 09:13, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

Douglas White

Hi Mrs. Worssam how big is the ship that your on and what's the tempature down where you're at.

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Toby, Great comments, thank you. right now we have short waves, but if a storm were to brew, we would get some rough seas. No osmosis
yet, but I did experience a bit of diffusion yesterday. Some welders
were working on the cooling system, and I could smell the solder in
another room. Thanks for asking. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 09:18, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

Gavin Freeman

Hello Mrs.Worssam how was your flight to chile? What kind of intresting did you do? How do you sleep? What is the tempeture there? :)

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 12:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Cedric, Yes I sleep on the boat, different times depending on what I am working on. I have a small bunk, and will take some measurements.
It is a hoot. Thanks for asking. Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 09:15, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

Gavin Freeman

Hello Mrs.Worssam how was your flight to chile? What kind of intresting did you do? How do you sleep? What is the tempeture there? :)

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 12:33

Jillian Worssam

Hi Douglas, the vessel is over 300 feet. Not too clod yet, I am still only wearing my sweatshirt. I will let you know when it gets chilly.
Ms. Worssam

On 2014-09-22 09:15, webmaster@polartrec.com wrote:

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:15

Hope Gonzales

How was the boat ride? Have you learned anything yet?