May 18, 2006 - Good Old-fashioned Virtual Campfire, A definite first for the Healy Options

[Samantha_Dassler_Barlow]

Date: Thursday, May 18, 2006

GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 62° 58.6’ N
Longitude: 170° 3.7’ W


May 18 – The Bering Sea


Map Title: May 18 – Station Map

Patty and I were able to work on the deck today and later on, we attended a good, old-fashioned campfire (well, sort of).


5/18/06 – Patty took my picture on the fantail, or stern, of the ship. This is where much of the data collection happens. I am dressed to the nines in my hard hat, windproof hat, mustang suit, various layers of warm clothing, and my steel-toed boots. Can you think of reasons why I might need to wear all of this protective clothing?

Lee had us put the UV meter in the water and look at the data it showed on a computer screen as it went down and then up in the water column. Where do you think we received the highest UV measurements? That’s no secret – near the top of the water column.


5/18/06 - The UV meter measures the amount of ultra violet light that penetrates the depths of the water. It also measures photosynthetic active radiation and has a depth and pressure sensor on it.

The UV meter is attached to a long cord that is hooked to a laptop inside the lab. Patty lowered the meter and then I helped bring it back up and Lee brought it back over the side of the ship.


5/18/06 - Patty lowered the UV meter almost to the bottom of the Bering Sea - around 35 meters in this area.

Most of our days have been pretty cloudy recently. What kinds of issues do you think this will cause for the UV meter data we are collecting?

After a freezing cold day on the fantail, Patty and I warmed up quickly with a crowd of crew and scientists for a good old-fashioned campfire hosted by 5th grader, Ruth Cooper.


Caption to go above picture in journal and in photo gallery: 5/18/06 – Patty started the virtual campfire for Ruth’s festivities.

If there’s anything that I have learned about Ruth on this expedition, it is that she is creative and she likes to have fun. Ruth pulled a bunch of games out of the morale locker and she hosted a round of jokes as well as a talent show. She planned the whole event all by herself!


5/18/06 – At the campfire, Ruth challenged “Doc” to a round of Battleship.


5/18/06 – After singing a walrus song for us, the captain sat down to a steaming mug and a plate of s’mores. The improvised s’mores were made with graham crackers, marshmallow fluff, and chocolate syrup.

The scientists and crew showed off their talents at the talent show. The talents varied widely! Someone spoke in Japanese, a few people did card tricks, some sang, some juggled, and we even learned Patty’s special talent of making raisins dance in a glass of 7-Up. Ruth was having so much fun that she had to try the talent of every contestant. She even had a talent of her own – a few fierce karate moves that could easily take BMCS Sullivan down! Go Ruth!