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BEST 2010 Trip
March 7, 2010
From the Straights of Juan de Fuca to Kodiak
As we journeyed northward toward Kodiak, the poor weather conditions persisted. It became routine at the weather briefs each evening to expect reports of low pressure systems which would produced high winds and seas. Like a never ending line, one low pressure system followed the next. The decision to pull into Kodiak a day early was made when we received a forecast for hurricane force winds.
While the rough weather hampered our progression and disrupted our schedule, we continued to maximize our week long transit. We ran drills as the weather allowed, taking advantage of a temporarily assigned training team aboard for the ride to Kodiak. As in any endeavor, preparation is the key to success. There is no “911” line available when an emergency occurs or evolutions go awry. A ship in the middle of the ocean must be fully capable of combating fire, flooding, and anything else that would pose a threat to the ship or crew. Drill afternoons are long, but ask any member who has experienced a real casualty and they will agree that training is absolutely essential.
Early in the week Machinery Technician First Class (MK1) Henry Wong was promoted to Chief (MKC), which marks a significant milestone in his Coast Guard career. Against the backdrop of rolling seas, promotions are memorable as Coast Guardsman are recognized while actively carrying out the missions of our sea going service.
On Thursday afternoon, POLAR SEA sailed into Kodiak. The bay is quite shallow at some points, which added an additional element of tension to the final leg of the transit. As the numbers on the fathometer steadily decreased, it became one bridge team member’s job to stay glued to this piece of equipment, constantly monitoring the water depth. Despite being at high tide, there were moments when we had as little as nine feet of water beneath the keel (the lowest part of the ship). As the ship rounded Puffin Island, the whole bridge team seemed to sigh in relief as the fathometer numbers began to climb again as the depth of water increased.
Distracting some members from the transit was the wildlife basking in the afternoon sun. What first looked like branches in the water turned out to be otters, lying on their backs catching a few rays. As POLAR SEA drew closer to the pier, we could make out eagles, sitting stoically among the buildings. There were also seals lazily flopped on a nearby pier. Kodiak, known as the “Emerald Island” receives on average 72 inches of rain a year, double that of Seattle. Luckily, when we pulled in the sun was out making the significantly colder temperatures more bearable.
Like holidays, birthdays are not forgotten when POLAR SEA departs on deployment. The food specialists aboard POLAR SEA do their best to make underway birthdays special. On Friday, Captain David Vaughn, received a Coast Guard decorated cake from the crew in honor of his birthday.
In Kodiak we enjoyed exploring the island while also making final preparations
for the BEST 2010 cruise as the scientists embarked on Saturday. By the end of
the day, all of the scientists had arrived, remaining gear and luggage had been
loaded, and the duty section had managed to give tours to 240 Kodiak residents
over the course of the afternoon. Sunday morning as POLAR SEA left the pier, the
final arrangements were made to receive the science helicopter which had been
delayed due to weather. At last, by Sunday afternoon, all components of the
science cruise were aboard and POLAR SEA turned north once more.
Your Public Affairs Officer,
LTJG Emily Holt
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