Deck Department, Crew Journal

October 26, 2009
Deck force is still diligently working on their projects, which mostly include painting. One of our big projects when we get back into Seattle is to paint the entire upper cargo. We are getting a start on it while underway, one group working down in upper cargo, and another up in the paint locker sanding and painting the stanchions. We have also been busy making sure that all the life vests and mustang suits are in good condition and stocked with the right things, as well as checking other gear about the ship, and of course lots of sweeping. I still don't understand how the dust bunnies can accumulate in the passageways as quickly as they do when we are in the middle of the ocean, but it is a very important job. If the dust and dirt isn't taken care of it can accumulate in the vents and spaces and if there is a fire, spread much more quickly. It is certainly a job that is never done.

October 25, 2009
Science operations have resumed as the wind has now dropped down. After three days of winds reaching 40 knots it was a bit of a relief. With less wind the temperature also rose, but it was still mighty chilly out while deck force shoveled the snow that had accumulated about the weather decks. While the crew enjoyed the holiday routine with no helo or crane ops, the scientists were glad to be back in the air and back on the ice. While on watch I learned some interesting information. On an average day ocean waves hitting 56 miles of beach generate the same amount of energy as Hoover Dam. Now if we could just figure out how to harness and use that energy...

October 23, 2009
"Now, Talent Night, Talent Night, Talent Night. Talent Night will be held in the hangar." There are a lot of talented people on board, and the night was filled with laughs as different people got up and sang songs, did comedy, and more. It was followed by a movie on the big screen in the hangar, the end to a great day. Earlier in the afternoon a female polar bear walked right up to the ship. "Now, there is a polar bear 100 yards off the port beam and closing." There were jokes about sounding the collision alarm after that pipe was made, but it was certainly a rush for the cameras and the rails as many of the crew hurried to see a polar bear up close. She came up and even went up on her hind legs for some great photos. Then if you didn't see the first polar bear, another polar bear came even closer to the ship in the evening. With winds up to 40 knots holiday routine was called and science was put on hold, everyone was ready to enjoy the weekend.
~SN Klineberger