Friday, 27 February 2004

Gulf of Papua

Safety Comes First Aboard the R/V Melville
Yesterday I closed my journal entry in a hurry as an alarm on the ship was sounding. As it turned out we experienced a lock down for a terrorist or pirate drill. There is a series of alarms specific to different safety issues, such as man overboard, fire, and terrorist or pirate attack. When we first come aboard there is a safety meeting to review all ship signals and procedures. We also have weekly fire drills and learn how to operate lifeboats, the emergency radio system and evacuate the ship.

When the alarm sounded yesterday we knew we were to muster in a designated room onboard the ship where the crew then locked us all in. Two crewmembers played the role of terrorists trying to gain access to the ship and others arrived late and we were advised that only those who say the correct password, known to the crew alone, are to be allowed entrance.

While we are not overly concerned about this type of incident here in the Gulf of Papua, it is a concern the world over, a by-product of the events of 911. Oceanographers work in oceans around the globe and there are areas where these types of incidents have occurred so it is best to be prepared.

Safety is not an issue to be taken lightly aboard an oceanographic research vessel. There is a lot of heavy equipment aboard, cranes, and winch wires. We learn not to stand under a winch wire deploying or retrieving an instrument as the cables may snap, also you never want to step in the "bite" of a line - a loop which could snag you up if it gets pulled taught. Deploying and retrieving equipment into the sea requires focus and attention as you often work close to the edge of open platforms. We wear "work vests" which are orange life vests equipped with a whistle strobe light and reflectors to draw attention should you fall overboard. We also wear boots or closed toe shoes on deck to protect our feet from the large amounts of heavy equipment on deck. Hard hats are worn when working with cranes and overhead equipment. Also, things shift while at sea, and as a result everything is bolted to the ship or lashed down. Take a look around your house and imagine that it is now a rolling ship...what would you tie down, how would it feel to move across a swaying floor?

One hand for the ship, one hand for you is a saying to remember, it is particularly important to keep a hand on the ship when going up or down stairs! The ship is often rocking or pitching in larger swells and moving around the ship feels a bit like walking through a carnival fun house!

This all may sound a bit scary, and while in actuality you feel quite safe aboard the ship, it is important you have respect for the ship and maintain safety as a priority. The scientists always tell us to be sure to protect people first, instruments second and data third. You can re-take a core, you can buy a new instrument, but the people onboard are irreplaceable.

Thanks again to the Melville captain, technicians and crew who provide a safe environment to conduct research at sea!

Today's weather and location at 1300 (thirteen hundred hours, military time for 1:00 pm)
Air Temperature: 28°C (81°F)
Water Temperature: 29°C (86°F)
Salinity: 30 PSU
Barometric Pressure: 1006.9mb
Percipitation: 48 mm
Relative Humidity: 82%
Depth: 56 m (72 ft)

Longitude: 8° 59.6874' S
Latitude: 143° 56.092' E