US GO-SHIP I06S 2019: A big splash and a long wait

A good roll.

Still waiting for the weather to get better. We got caught off guard by some nice big rolls (20 degrees), which made people, chairs, food, cups.. everything flying. Fortunately, no injuries!

Cold and angry.

While we wait, we go to the bridge, and we witness the majestic power of this ocean: the bow dips in the waves every now and then, the sun touches the tip of some breaking waves, the surface of the ocean is painted in gold here and there, and the turquoise blue of the breaking waves add some intense beauty to what is already difficult to describe. A dark and snowy storm rushes above us, but only for a moment. Like a ghost, or a breath. Just enough time for our breath to stop, and feel the chill in our bones. Then another one comes, this time gentle through the sun rays, bringing large snowflakes that run toward the window.

It's poetry, it's nature at its crude power.

Andrew C., me and Dani

The weather is slowly getting better, but there are still some really big rolls, as the swells push us to the sides.

Still waiting.

This waiting is frustrating for all of us, we're eager to start working again.. The time's falling through our hands.

I spent a good portion of my morning at the bridge, today. I love coming here. The perspective of the outside world that you get from the bridge is pretty unique. Staying balanced is way harder on this top space than it is on the lower decks, and I find it pretty entertaining. I spent these hours chatting with Captain Eric, third mate Todd, ABs Pam & Jeremy. We evaluated the swells. We shared stories and pictures and great laughs.

And I learnt about the beautiful Matanuska glacier in Alaska, where you can walk on it and its perfect transparency and pureness makes it the perfect companion for a delicious glass of whiskey; not only do I want to go to Alaska now.. but I wouldn't mind a good glass of Japanese whiskey either..
    And I learnt about all (ok, maybe not all) of the screens that monitor the propellers, bow thruster, generators and tanks on the ship
    And I learnt about this confused sea which shoots swells at us from any corner. The constant swells have prevented us from doing any CTD stations, yet.

(left) Todd, me, Jeremy and Pam. (right) Dani, Jess, Max and Mike.

I imagine the drifters we sent flying into the sea getting dragged off in all directions by these erratic surface currents. One of them is our second special one, adopted by the Doral Academy of Colorado. Drifter #300234066338770 was deployed at 60S, 30E on April 22. A fun deployment, in much calmer conditions. But in these part of the world, the quiet moments don't last long.