By Dr. Leila Hamdan, Chief Scientist
June 24, 2019
“Mobilization days are overwhelming, fatiguing and non-stop. Pace yourselves and try to learn as much as possible”
These were the words I shared with my team of scientists and engineers as we prepared for a somewhat complicated mobilization on one of the hottest days of the year. “It’s going to be hot...even for Mississippi,” said Nicholas Allen, Captain of R/V Point Sur on Sunday as we prepared our landers, biofilm experiments, and the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) at University of Southern Mississippi’s Marine Research Center in Gulfport, Mississippi.
ROV Odysseus being transferred from the Marine Research Center to the ship. Image courtesy of Microbial Stowaways. Download larger version (jpg, 1.7 MB).
Science at sea can be daunting, and so much of it begins as strange and unknown. That unfamiliarity has potential to turn new people away from the field of marine science. It is important for me, as the Chief Scientist, to break down the barrier of the unknown so that everyone can learn as much as possible and contribute their best ideas to enhance our work. My students and staff on this trip will learn about oceanography, microbial ecology, and archaeology. Those things will shape their careers and contribute to the body of knowledge we will provide to our fields through this project. They will also learn things they never expected: How to turn a socket wrench, tie bowline knots by the dozen, and lift things in a way that won’t leave your back aching; how and when to wear proper safety gear; and where to stand on the ship that keeps you and the gear safe from harm.
All hands on the lander – the final steps of putting together the lander, which will recover our experiments after four months, takes a team effort. Image courtesy of Microbial Stowaways. Download larger version (jpg, 1.1 MB).
Most of all, they are going to learn how important teamwork is to ocean science. That word has been our touchstone during the months planning this expedition. Teamwork is equally as important as developing sound scientific ideas, preparing and packing the right equipment, and knowing where the state of knowledge is currently, so we can shape where it is going.
Over the next nine days, we will share our adventures on R/V Point Sur as we seek out microbial stowaways on deep-sea historic shipwrecks and share the ecological and cultural marvels of these charismatic environments. We will also share stories about what drives us to work in hot, fatiguing, and overwhelming conditions, side by side as a team. We hope you will join us.
The whole team pitches in to set up microbial recruitment experiments – it involves tools, knots, many cable ties, and a boat load of teamwork. Image courtesy of Microbial Stowaways. Download larger version (jpg, 2.5 MB).
