Seasick

This is the view looking aft along the starboard side of the ship. View is from the bridge deck 60 feet above the water. At this height the distance to the horizon is about 10 miles. The orange boat in the foreground is one of two enclosed, self-righting lifeboats. The small boat further back is used for shallow water work. When this was taken wave heights were 12-14 feet .

Midnight watch began last night with a beautiful 1/2 moon in the northern sky. Skies were clear and winds light. The low pressure center I mentioned yesterday has moved nearer and by dawn the ship was rolling in 12-14 foot waves driven by 25 knot winds and a snow squall hid the sunrise. Outside air temperature is 34 F. Our way point in the Antarctic sound is 23 hours away so we should have spectacular scenery at dawn tomorrow.

The rolling seas are taking their toll, with breakfast being poorly attended this morning and a few items that were not well secured finding a spot on the floor.

We have begun collecting bottom topography data with the Sea Beam system, but the start of real work still lies over a day ahead.

Our current position at 9 am is 60 09 south 59 03 west.

Dave Tewksbury
tewksbda@nbp.polar.org