by 
It hardly feels like it, but it’s been just over a week since my STEMSEAS journey began. Sailing across the Atlantic on a research cruise was never something I imagined I’d do in my undergraduate career, let alone in my lifetime. It’s been an incredible journey so far and I want to share the highlights.
The day we deployed the CTD was one of the most action-packed days by far. We were able to stop the boat for a couple of hours to deploy the CTD which stands for Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth which is exactly what it measures. The Armstrong’s resident scientist Amy showed us how to prepare the CTD for deployment. Once each Niskin bottle was secured open, we waited to get permission from the bridge to send it down. As the CTD descended to the ocean floor, I was able to watch real-time readings of the water column.
Getting up at 2am to help watch for icebergs might not be for everyone but it was one of my favourite parts of this trip so far. The crew has been so welcoming and seemed happy to answer the endless questions we have about their jobs and lives at sea. As I scanned for icebergs in the breaking waves, I listened to the crew’s stories of how of how they chose a life at sea. Some grew up on the water whilst others found themselves here later in life. If I had to choose my favourite spot on this ship it would be the bridge. Even through gale force winds and 35° rolls, being able to look out at the stars calmed me in the roughest of seas.
Before I came here, I’d never have imagined how much I’d love being at sea. Every day the ocean looks a different blue. I love being able to disconnect from the rest of the world as I inhabit my own in the middle of this great big ocean. Now that my time is almost up, I can’t help but wonder when I’ll be at sea again. As the sun begins to set on my journey, I give you a photo of one of my favourite sunsets.
Emma, University of Massachusetts Amherst
