Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). Click image for larger view and image credit.
Deployment of the current meter (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) off the aft deck of the Research Vessel Western Flyer. Click image for larger view and image credit.
Welcome Aboard
January 26, 2006
Andrew DeVogelaere, PhD
Marine Scientist
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA
On the first day of a research cruise, scientists are “welcomed aboard” with an orientation to the ship, safety protocols, and a practice session of putting on survival suits. We were also welcomed out to sea by a raft of about 30 sea otters while leaving Moss Landing Harbor, and pods of Pacific white-sided dolphins, northern right-whale dolphins, and Dall’s porpoises. The team was excited to get out to sea after all the months of planning, and excited by the numerous picture opportunities that the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary environment had to offer.
We also want to welcome you aboard the Ocean Explorer web log.
During the 6-hour cruise from the Western Flyer’s home port to the Davidson Seamount, the collaborative scientists got more familiar with each other, the ROV pilots, and the ship’s crew. It’s an outstanding group.
At the Davidson Seamount, we placed two current meters. We will be now be able to measure water flow hundreds of meters above the seamount, in a valley floor, adjacent to the highest peak on the seamount, and tomorrow we will place a current meter on the peak. In the essay on technology you will find that we will also be measuring fine scale currents immediately next to corals with instruments held by the ROVs mechanical arm. With information at these different scales, we will have a better understanding of how water flow influences where corals live and how big they get.
Our first ROV dive featured the jumbo flying squid, vase sponges, and bamboo corals. For all of you interested students, yes, we have already started doing the pressure experiments on the styrofoam cups…
Davidson Seamount: Exploring Ancient Coral Gardens will be sending reports from Jan 26 - Feb 4. Please check back frequently for additional logs from this expedition.
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