FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009
Report Day 13 -- Tuesday 13 October 2009 -- “Captain on the Bridge”
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FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009 |
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My day began at midnight – another 12:00 to 4:00 am monitor watch. Jason is already on the bottom when I arrive at the van. We are back inside the Lo’ihi crater. I ask Wendy where the hot water comes from that shoots out of the vents of the crater. I am curious how the whole hydrothermal vent system of these young, underwater volcanoes works. She tells me that the cold sea water is sucked in through cracks in areas around the volcano and immediately ultra-heated by the magma inside. The water is so hot that it dissolves some of the rocks’ chemical components (such as iron and manganese) that are inside the volcano, as it moves toward the upper portions or the crater. When the burning-hot water is expelled from Lo’ihi’s hydrothermal vents it immediately cools and its dissolved components combine with the oxygen in the water and become solid again. They precipitate out in the shape of little chimneys.
To locate a hydrothermal vent, the scientists look for shimmering water. As the burning-hot water rushes out of the rock crevices and mixes with the ice-cold water in the crater, the water and the surrounding mats appear to shimmer. Tonight, Jason scoops up mud samples and collects traps that were set out on previous visits. Four hours pass and I finally go to sleep at 4:00 am.
I’m back up a few hours later with a new idea for a story. I decide to head on up to the bridge and meet the crew of the Kilo Moana. I am greeted by Captain Rick Meyer. He is busy at work when I arrive on the bridge. Captain Meyer tells me he has been a ship captain for 24 years and has worked on 60-75 different ships throughout his career. At the age of 17, he began working as a mess man peeling potatoes. He spent the first half of his career working his way up the ranks to captain and has worked as a captain ever since. He has served as captain on the Kilo Moana for four years.
Captain Meyer says that the Kilo Moana is a very special ship – a one-of-a-kind prototype – called a SWATH. It stands for Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull – an idea that was developed during World War II. It looks like a giant catamaran. The name Kilo Moana is Hawaiian for Oceanographer. She is 186 feet long and 88 feet wide. She carries 130,000 gallons of fuel and 8,000 gallons of fresh water. There are berths for 20 crew and 28 scientists. The boat is equipped to make fresh water from sea water using an evaporator and create electricity with diesel motors hooked to an electrical generator.
Captain Meyer tells me the story of how the Kilo Moana was built. Around the year 2000 the US Navy commissioned several scientific research vessels to be built with intent to allocate them to oceanographic institutes around the country. The University of Hawaii was not designated to receive one of the newly built ships because it already had a research vessel called the Moana Wave. After the Navy ships were distributed, Senator Inouye from Hawaii prevailed on the Navy to build one more ship for the University of Hawaii to replace the outdated Moana Wave. And so, in 2002, the Navy built the Kilo Moana.
Next I meet first mate Dick Wisner and second mate Christian Berg-Hansen, and several of the ABs. AB stands for able-bodied seaman. I find that to be a very curious title. When they tell me that the ABs work the cranes, lines, winches, maintain the decks, rig and splice, operate rescue boats, and help keep watch, I realize why they need to be “able bodied.”
I ask the crew what it’s like to work on a scientific research vessel. They tell me that science vessels are very different to work on compared to other ships - primarily because things are constantly going into and out of the water. For example, every time Jason goes in the water the port propeller is shut down to ensure that Jason doesn’t get sucked into the propeller.
I ask, “What is the most exciting experience you have ever had while working on a boat?” Dick responds, “We don’t like exciting…we try to avoid it…surprises are not good…dull and boring is good when you’re out to sea and there is no land in sight.” I understand his point!
What about hurricanes? Have you ever been caught in one? What do you do if you see one coming your way? The captain says, “We out run them.” Have you been able outrun them every time? I ask. “Every time”, he responds.”That’s why they call me Runaway Rick!”
What is the best part of working on a boat? I ask. Everyone (almost simultaneously) responds, “The vacation time – having equal time off to the number of days you work.” I think to myself -- That’s a really good deal!
But I have decided that there is something better than vacation time about working on a boat. I know what the best part of working on a boat is REALLY. It’s the sunrises and sunsets! Every single one is spectacularly different – the clouds twist from curls to swirls, the water is rugged and rough then calm and glassy, the sun is sparkling yellow, tart tangerine, magenta red, princess pink, and sometimes even virgin white. It’s like having an awe-inspiring experience every morning you wake up and every night you go to bed, every single day! What other kind of job can give you that?
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