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BEST 2010 Trip
March 14, 2010
Into the Ice
It seemed that there would be no relief from the endless series of low pressure weather systems. Immediately upon departing Kodiak we encountered yet another storm. By Monday, as the temperatures dropped and the waves continued to crash against the ship, we began to see signs of icing. As decisions were made to best balance the course and speed of POLAR SEA with a tolerable ride, the ice accumulated with each striking wave and resulting spray. Soon there was a frosty glaze about the foc’sle giving the bow an eerie appearance. The decks grew icy and bulkheads slick under a sheen of ice. If it weren’t for our forward progress, any observer could easily have mistaken POLAR SEA for a relic risen from the days of the ice age.
Ice is not only a treacherous slipping hazard but a threat to ship stability as a result of its additional weight. To counter these hazards, members of deck department used the next morning to rid the ship of this cumbersome layer. They beat away at the thick layer until after much effort and persistence, the ice slowly broke away.
The temperatures continued to drop as POLAR SEA steamed north. At last POLAR SEA transited through Unimak Pass, the strait connecting the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, just south of Unimak Island in the Aleutian Island chain. Everyone looked on with expectation and anticipation for the first signs of sea ice. Though the ride becomes noisy, one of the best parts of being in the ice is that it provides a stable platform. The Tuesday afternoon bridge watch stared vigilantly at both radar and the horizon as we approached 56 degrees latitude, the estimated position we would encounter ice. Just south of the line, the lookout called down to report the first sea ice of the BEST 2010 Science Deployment. The ice gradually increased until POLAR SEA was making its way through an ice floe. Despite the grinding of the ice against the hull, the calm ride enabled the best opportunity for sleep since being moored in Kodiak.
The ice slowed down the transit to the science stations but did not prevent the science mission from beginning. Two of the scientists on board immediately began their work of observing the bird populations throughout the Bering Sea. On Wednesday, we launched the helicopter to conduct ice observation and sea ice sampling. As POLAR SEA breaks a trail through the ice, the ice pushed aside often looks dirty, with a brownish green tinge. During a presentation by scientist Rolf Gradinger from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, the crew learned that the brown represented sediment and the green color, algae. There are many theories to explain how, and why, the sediment and algae exist underneath the ice. One of the projects of this science cruise is to study the algae that accumulate on the underside of the ice.
At last, at 3 AM Saturday morning, we arrived at our first science station. Once POLAR SEA was in position, the scientists and marine science technicians were out in full force, despite the -12F temperatures. The cold was quite evident by the frequently changing voices, passing reports over the radio, as crew and scientists switched out positions. While the scientists and supporting crew members conducted operations on deck, the bridge team was focused on maintaining position, attempting to combat the wind and current and keep a clear area in the ice. Meanwhile, the engineers were busy below making repairs and maintaining machinery as both the ice and cold placed a strain on the propulsion plant.
At last, POLAR SEA has arrived in the BEST 2010 operation area. Saturday was a productive first day of science. The next few weeks will be a challenge as we all adapt to long days, changing weather, and honing our skills, whether they be engineering, ice driving, or science procedures. As the sunlight increases and the temperatures warm (hopefully!) we look forward to the days ahead.
Your Public Affairs Officer,
LTJG Emily Holt
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