R/V Endeavor taking on water!!!

Short Video of the waves  crashing up onto the deck of the Endeavor

This 20 second video clip show just how dangerous life at sea can be! As the Endeavor rolls from one side to the next there is little to no warning as waves crash up and over onto the deck. Thankfully I was able to escape up the stairs to a somewhat dryer deck where the mist from the cresting waves and the wind were the only things able to assault my senses. The dangers out in the open on the ship at night are only multiplied by these variables.

Since the ship travels at ~10 kts between each OBS waypoint which can produce transit times as long as 12 hours and the weather isn't alway dreary the interns have a fair share of free time on the ship to explore around and lounge about.  

Checking to see if the internet wants to semi-work. I think Sampath knows he is in this picture.

Dr. Maureen Long creating a short cut to the relocated OBS equipment.

(Terry- I found two hammocks up on top of the ship perfect for some afternoon chill time haha. It also serves as a perfect vantage point when trying to find the OBS's when they reach the surface because the wave height and reflection of the sun off the water make it difficult to spot at times.)

Terry Cheiffetz

EN554 2015 Graduate Student Interns

The 2015 Graduate Interns aboard the R/V Endeavor

From left to right: Sampath Rathnavaka, Sumant Jha, Gillean Arnoux, Colton Lynner and Terry Cheiffetz.

After days of rough seas we all managed to gather up on the deck to take a group photo. The five of us are proud to be on the Research Vessel Endeavor and to finally have our sea legs. The Endeavor works around the clock out at sea and we worked in pairs on the following shift schedule, 0800-1600. 1600-2400, and 2400-0800. Each group had a PI in charge of their shift. The WHOI team was primarily in control of the extraction of the OBS in the rough seas due to the danger on deck and the sensitivity of the equipment.

The WHOI crew capturing an OBS in rough seas just prior to sunset.

Terry Cheiffetz

A high seas adventure! The ups and downs of an OBS retrieval.

April 3, 2015
EN554

A short video of an OBS retrieval on the R/V Endeavor

*WARNING* This video video contains a lot of ups, downs and what have you's. Viewing

is not recommended for the land based geoscientist!

This is a short video showing the Endeavor orienting itself alongside the OBS before the WHOI crew pulls it out of the water. It is clearly visible that both waves and weather play a major role when trying to retrieve the equipment from the ocean. 

A high resolution photo of the OBS on the starboard side of the endeavor

Sampath Rathnavaka (left) and Terry Cheiffetz (right)

Graduate student interns are excited to locate the OBS on the surface after waiting over an hour as the instrument made its transit through the water column.  

It is only a matter of time before your feet get soaking wet out on the deck. The ocean only likes to do this though if you are wearing tennis shoes instead of waterproof boots!

Its a mechanical sea turtle!

Terry Cheiffetz