Today we spent organizing our equipment and collecting it from Alaska air cargo and then transferring it all to the ship. We were allowed to sleep on the ship tonight so we could depart when ready on the 26th. We were allocated our bunks and I was lucky enough to get a porthole in mine so I can watch the ocean as I rest.
The rest of the day was spent gathering supplies, eating and exploring Nome. It is at the end of the Iditarod dog sled race, so there are many references to it around town. We also went to the visitor’s center and the small national history museum at the National Park offices.
As part of our outreach efforts in the area to local communities, Mary Beth Decker, one of the Principal scientists, and myself did a short radio interview for Strait Science. This is a program designed to expose local communities to science that is of interest to them through radio, presentations and activities. We were invited to talk about the jellyfish research and my own role on the cruise. Later that evening, Seth Danielson who leads the last cruise on the Sikuliaq, gave a talk to the community about their findings in the Bering Straits. It was a very interesting evening and a good introduction of what is out there in the ocean in this area.
Date
Expedition
Weather Summary
cool and sunny
Temperature
55F
Wind Speed
0mph
Comments