Journal
What Are Moorings?

Moorings are devices that may be left, anchored to a heavy weight, suspended within the water column for extended periods of time. A mooring can provide a range of data over time, including information about currents, salinity, temperature, and even underwater sounds of marine mammals. This data may be used to provide a better picture of changing conditions in an area or even to track migration of whales. When a mooring is retrieved, scientists have access to the data that has been collected by the mooring. The expedition we have been on this summer has allowed snapshots of life in the Arctic, but it wouldn't be practical to remain on location for extended periods of time. This type of continuous data is just one advantage of a mooring.

We traveled through the night to reach a mooring deployed about a year ago. This mooring will be retrieved and a new mooring will be deployed. Moorings are one more tool that scientists can use to collect data in the Arctic and in oceans around the world. Here are some photos of the team retrieving a mooring.

The mooring technician is trying to communicate with a mooring by listening for the mooring's signal.

Talking to a mooring
The mooring technician is trying to locate the mooring by listening for its signal.
The mooring has been retrieved and is being brought back to the ship. You can see the mooring buoys hanging near the front of the boat.
Retrieving a mooring
The mooring has been retrieved by the small boat and is being brought back to the USCGC Healy.
The crane is used to bring the mooring equipment onto the ship.
Bringing a mooring onto the ship.
The crane is used to bring the mooring onto the Healy.

PolarConnect Event

Don't miss an opportunity to learn more about the expedition and to ask the scientists questions. Scheduled for August 8th (6 PM EDT; 2 PM ADT), PolarConnect is free, but attendees must register. Information regarding registration may be found at: https://www.polartrec.com/polar-connect/register

Question and Answer

Mystery Photo: Can you determine what animals are shown in the distance in this photo?

Mystery photo
Can you determine what kind of animals are shown in the distance?

Details
Author
Sandra Thornton
Date
Expedition
Chukchi Sea Borderland
Weather Summary
Clear and sunny
Temperature
-0.03 C (31.94 F); Water Temperature -0.396 C

View Comments

Comments

Thu, 08/04/2016 - 20:17

Linda Nolle

No specific comments or questions, other than to tell you that your reports are always welcome...interesting and even fascinating!I've been following for over two years when Lauren Watel got me "hooked."
Keep up the excellent work!r

Fri, 08/05/2016 - 09:26

Sandra Thornton

Thanks for checking in, for commenting, and for following my PolarTREC journal, Linda! I appreciate the positive feedback. This expedition has been an amazing experience, and it's hard to believe that we are headed back to Seward. I have so many ideas on how I want to share what I have learned when I am back in the classroom. I hope you will be able to join my PolarConnect event Monday. Many of the expedition's scientists will also be available. Have you considered applying to PolarTREC ?......