The ship is operating under heavy weather rules. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)
View from the bridge. Conditions have calmed from last night's 50 mph winds and 18-20-foot seas, but are still formidable. The storm was the result of 2 low pressure systems coming together in the north Pacific; we got out of Station P just in time. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)
I snapped this shot of the crest of a large wave going by my cabin porthole on the 01 deck (the deck above the main weather deck). (Photo by Kathy Hardy)
The storm is generating some pretty big swells. That, combined with the speed of the ship and the heading we are on, meant that few on board slept well last night. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)
The ship is rolling so badly that walking is tricky business. (Photo by Kathy Hardy)NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN (May 28, 2007): The storm caught up with us in the wee hours of the morning. It was a sleepless night for most of the scientists and crew. The ship rolled and pitched continuously, with frequent shudders and the groan of metal on metal. The storm is raging on today. My cabin is on the 01 deck (one of the upper berthing decks) and there are some waves crashing by that look almost as high as the porthole. The storm is huge, covering most of the north Pacific.
I heard from the Captain at breakfast that the storm will be with us all the way to Ketchikan but shouldn’t get any worse. We have postponed whatever work we could. No one is allowed on the weather decks except for emergencies and then only after notifying the bridge. Everyone going outside must go in pairs and must be wearing life vests.
As I am writing this, the seas have calmed a bit, but the ship is still rolling so much that it is an effort to keep my chair upright. In the common areas, it is kind of funny to see everyone walking at an angle but it is the only way to stay upright. After a couple of days of this, we will all be ready for a break in Ketchikan.
As I am writing this, the seas have calmed a bit, but the ship is still rolling so much that it is an effort to keep my chair upright. In the common areas, it is kind of funny to see everyone walking at an angle but it is the only way to stay upright. After a couple of days of this, we will all be ready for a break in Ketchikan.
Click on the link below to track the last reported location of our ship, the R/V Thomas G. Thompson. CLICK HERE TO TRACK
Email comments or questions to:mailto:kathleen.umaine@gmail.com
