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It has been seven days since I boarded the R/V Atlantis and everyday seems to be more eyeopening than the previous day. When I first arrived and boarded the ship, I didn’t know what to expect given my background as I am a Computer Science and Data Science major. This being my first expedition and being dropped in a different scope of science, the world of oceanography, that I have never experienced, made me curious and excited.
One of the exciting aspects of this expedition is the possibility integrating my expertise in data science with the oceanic science area. Through this expedition, I have been able to meet and talk to three professionals who have. dedicated their time to oceanography. However, through those talks, I kept encountering an issue; the use, storage and duplication of data. It is a question that I kept asking myself, is science free for everybody? how can it be accessed by anybody, anywhere, at any time? This is something that came to light when I spoke to Dr. Theresa King, she highlighted how she was working on building a public database for research done on Antarctic and Greenland expeditions showing and providing scientific information.
Life on board the R/V Atlantis is a unique experience. The crew lives and works together in close quarters for weeks at a time, relying on each other for support and camaraderie. The research vessel is equipped with all the amenities you’d expect, including a gym, kitchen, and lounge areas. But even with all the comforts of home, the crew remains focused on their mission to collect data and samples from the ocean floor.
I have also been able to learn about different positions on a research vessel such as the R/V Atlantis and their responsibilities. I was unaware as to how many people are required to run a ship of this magnitude. There are a captain, chief mate, second mate, third mate, bosun, 3 Able-Bodied Seamen (AB), two ordinary seamen, comet, chief engineer, first assistant engineer, second assistant engineer, third assistant engineer, three Oilers, Wiper, Steward, Cook, Mess Attendant, two Supply Support Specialists (SSSG). It’s a complex and intricate system, and I’m still learning about the roles and responsibilities of each position.
Today, we took a tour to the engine room of the Atlantis and I learnt about the mechanics of the boat and how it can function 300 days throughout the year. The R/V Atlantis has an advanced water management systems that conserves water and reduce wastewater generation that minimizes energy consumption and waste. The system uses a greywater treatment system that recycles water from sinks, showers, and washing machines and a blackwater treatment system that processes wastewater from toilets and sinks.
My experience on the R/V Atlantis has been an eye-opening one, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn about oceanography and what goes into exploring this form of science.
