by I’ve had a magnificent experience thus far. Today was our second day recovering our instruments from the Mendocino Fracture Zone. I think it is pretty amazing how all these scientists on board are working like synchronized gears in a machine. Someone has a specific job. One is in charge of grappling the line between the buoy and the machine, another clamps the crane line onto the machine. Meanwhile, a team of 4 people work together in unison to disassemble the machine. Another group of two people disassemble the arms of the machine while another person secures the electrodes from each arm and stores them in a salt water container. Finally, a group of three members oversees the cleaning and testing of the machines cables and buoy. A 9/16th wrench opens up all the bolts from the buoy like unlatching a kinder egg chocolate. All the components inside are hand washed with tap water to prevent rust from forming. Furthermore, the cables are all tested to see if they have electrical resistance by transmitting a current of one ampere when subjected to a potential difference of one volt, also known as one ohm.
We have all had a keen eye to actively participate and absorb as much knowledge as humanly possible on this trip. Forming relations with the ResTechs to learn about the retrieval process is a task all of our team members have proactively participated in. Even when we are not directly retrieving an instrument, we always ask to see how we can complete our task more efficiently. I feel like the feedback we are receiving is very positive and grants a lot of confidence for young undergraduate students, especially when the setting is to be in the midst of Ph.D. students.
It is very nice to see everyone feeling better and getting over their sea sickness. Everyone is there to morally and physically support one another when they are feeling ill. It does not take much time to become aware that there is nothing but water that engulfs the world for hundreds of miles and we are all that we got in our immediate vicinity. This expedition has helped me evolve some incredible interpersonal social skills. I’ve developed some great relationships with my fellow STEMSEAS peers, Ph.D. students, Chief scientists, and the ResTechs on board. All in all, this continues to be an incredible expedition with wonders to be observed, things to be learned, and memories to be made.
-Juan D. Rayo
