Log 28

Tonight was amazing. NOAA has provided the ship with 32 buoys. Our job is to deploy them at several different points in the Southern Ocean. Tonight, I had the insanely awesome opportunity to assist in the deployment of the buoys. My friend and I, along with a few other people, were escorted to the “crew only” section of the fifth deck. There on the ground were two, fully prepared, ready to go buoys. One was read and the other blue. My friend and I took a stand next to the red one. The crew taught us how to hold it, where to place it while we waited for the countdown, and how to push it off the ship. We were to hold it from underneath, rest it on the railing of the ship, and then when prompted, push it overboard, keeping it as flat as possible. The experience was exhilarating. My heart was racing the entire time. The most shocking part was not throwing it off the ship, although that was fun, but instead the sound of the buoy hitting the water. When the device hit the water, it made this very loud popping sound, which was partly from hitting the water the way it did.

The buoys’ job is to record a boat load of stuff (HAHA get it!). It will be measuring salinity, coordinates, wind direction and speed, temperature of the air and water, and some other technical stuff. There is a website for tracking the buoys, and my friend and I just so happened to take a picture of our buoy’s number. I am absolutely checking in on our buoy when I get WIFI.

Also, do not fret. I have pictures. I wouldn’t sign up for something this awesome and not have pictures.