9/16/08

Hey! Three more sites have been surveyed and I am so glad that we have a transit day tomorrow! I'm tired after swimming against some pretty tough current today- we got to go back to the site with all of the table coral though and I saw my first shark of the cruise. It was a little gray reef shark who decided to check us out as we were doing our survey. I was a little too surprised to think about taking a photo- I think the last thing on my mind was to make any sudden movements!

I can't say enough good things about my teammates though- they rock! We all work really hard and have a good time doing it! The reward for a hard day's work today was root beer floats (only I had an ice cream cone because I don't like root beer)- it's the small things that make our lives as good as they are!

FFS Day 2

Acropora cytherea (Table coral)

We had our first full day of diving today- we got rid of some cobwebs yesterday and we worked really well as a team today! We completed three dives- the conditions were better than yesterday- there was less current, but more surge (felt like a washing machine!). I saw more of the large table corals and got a little free time at the end of the last dive to take some fun (yet educational) photos!

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a- Hawaii State Fish

FFS Day 1

We arrived at French Frigate Shoals today and actually got to go diving in the afternoon. We hit two sites near the southern tip of the atoll. I have to admit that the second dive (FFS-1) was one of the most amazing dives I have ever done. Even though the current was really ripping and we didn't get to finish the whole survey, the table coral (Acropora cytherea) was absolutely beautiful. This species grows into huge flat plates and is only found in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands! And, I have seen the infamous Giant Hawaiian Trevally or Ulua- the biggest fish I have ever seen! They are very curious and will get very close to you- not sharks, but big fish none the same. I'll work on getting some photos!

La Pérouse Pinnacle, a steep sided basalt volcano remnant, juts out in the center of the atoll and it was pretty cool in the setting sun.

For more info about French Frigate Shoals, check out this link:

http://www.hawaiianatolls.org/about/ffs.php

I'm so tired right now and we only did a half day's worth of work! I'm super happy that the water was warm though- I actually wore too much neoprene on the first dive! We are going to experience some rough conditions and I know that we are all going to have to stay safe, work hard, and respect our buddies.

I have entered all of my data and I'm ready for some ice cream and bed!

On our way to French Frigate Shoals

After a long day of transit yesterday, we are getting closer to the first site where we will be surveying, French Frigate Shoals. There are supposed to be some amazing sites here with large table corals (Acropora) and I can't wait to see them! I'm a bit nervous about doing my first dive (I believe in my skills, but working with new people and wanting to prove myself as competent can put a little pressure on!).
I'm getting used to the constant sway of the ship and I think I have finally figured out how to get most places that I need to be (most importantly, the mess!). The food has been fantastic (I don't normally get to eat stone crab, shrimp, and scallop pasta!) and I'm working with an amazing crew and scientific staff- thumbs up all around!

For the more technical side of my trip, check out the official cruise blog at:

www.hi0809.blogspot.com

Anchors Away!

We set sail today and are heading towards French Frigate Shoals. We left Pearl Harbor at 10 am and we have started the 2.5 day transit to our first research site.

The entrance to Pearl Harbor (doesn't look as interesting as I thought it might!)

Here's the view from my room:

I spent most of the day getting organized and oriented with the ship (I've already taken my first nap, too!). We had two drills today- a fire drill and an abandon ship drill where we got to try on our survival suits. Doesn't Paula look fabulous?

I've seen my first sunset and we passed the island of Kauai-

I'm really excited to be out at sea, finally- we have more drills scheduled for tomorrow and then we hope to be able to get some diving in on Sunday when we arrive at FFS- stay tuned for the latest and most news breaking stories from the Hi'ialaki!

Still here.....

Aloha everyone-

I'm still in Honolulu- we boarded and packed the ship for today's noon departure, but unfortunately, there were some problems with one of the small boats that we will be using for diving, so we delayed our departure in hopes of getting the problem solved. I can't complain about having one more night in my bed with my cats! The downside is that if we can't get the engine fixed, we will drastically have to reduce some of the work that we had hoped to accomplish. Keep your fingers crossed!

I did get a chance to take some photos of my bunk- I've got some great roommates and I hope to have a lot of fun!

My bunk.....

I share my room with three other girls- Amanda (seen here making her bunk!) is on the fish team, Bonnie works with the towboard group, and Kerry will be helping out the oceanography team!

Our spa.......