Here is day two at Maro Reef and more dive ops for scientific data collection with the weather not cooperating for the divers and the boat coxswains. During my daily round, I noticed we are closer to the reef than we were yesterday. The water is very shallow and I did not need binoculars to see the splashes from the breaks. These were not whitecaps as the winds died down somewhat and whitecaps are in sequence. The sprays seem to be dancing in frenzy with no specific order. I wonder if the old time mariners from several centuries ago thought legendary “mermaids” caused it. It is mysterious if you did not know that a reef was lying nearby because it is unusual as compared to the orderly whitecaps who march in step.
For those mariners of yesteryear, a cruise for them was three to four years and if you recall Ishmael from Moby Dick, he was out for three years while Ahab looked for the elusive white whale. Melville spelled out gruesome details on how to kill a whale, which I skipped. I reread the book years later because we were sailing in the same waters, where the story took place. Again, I skipped over on how to kill a whale. Aside from my surgery, it probably contributed to my vegetarianism and saddened me to read the description of a sea full of whales. Today, I would be lucky if I would spot one during my sixty days rotation. As for Melville’s books, I liked Typee the best. The reason being is I have been to Nuku Hiva where the story takes place and his description of Taihoe Bay as he entered in 1842 was no different than my last trip there in 2006. I love Polynesia, especially Samoa, and it is my goal to return there never to leave again. Bury my ashes in the front yard, though the ashes part is taboo in Samoan culture and the spouse will not hear a word of it.
An unfortunate bird appeared to be sick wandering aimlessly on the graded deck. A scientist came by and confirmed it. He tried to catch it or at least force it to fly. It finally flew off to the upper deck. Thinking the bird was lost, I went back out after drills, and this time it was wandering aimlessly near the boat davits. It probably does not have too much longer to go, as nature will decide its fate.
Looking at my e-mails made me wonder why I was not receiving traffic from Seattle. I usually get something in the morning. The same situation arose with the shipmates as they had the same problem I did. Test here and test there as well as reset came up with the same results. I called ashore and the problem was there. I am still waiting for messages pending to me but my regular account is working, for now at least because that too was out two weeks ago!
My automated data processing system is not working and I am in dialog with the engineer to get it fixed. I will gather the raw data after lunch, format it to Mr. U wishes, and send it off to him for processing. The data we collect from the ocean is very important because we as NOAA ship sail in parts of the world where others do not. Sailing in this monument is an example. In addition, the marine life found here does not exist in other parts of the Pacific. If some of you have been reading the press, the unfortunate aspect is that these pristine islands are a landfill for the world’s marine rubbish. That is due to the ocean currents bringing the unwanted trash to this area.
Lunch is over and it is back to work. Maybe I can sign off some of the work in progress jobs.
The day ended on a good note, signed off some work in progress jobs, and solved two issues. I am sure new ones will crop up. It is my job and I enjoy what I do.
I bid you goodnight again from Maro Reef.
No comments:
Post a Comment