Day 4: Things Are Rolling Along and So Is The Ship

11/9/2015

The Atlantis ran on coffee and ginger today. I have to admit, sleeping below water is peaceful. The light rocking and the gurgle of the water as it hits the side of the ship are nice. Last night, however, the ocean gods were bowling and we were the pins. I can’t tell you the exact height of the waves but I imagine there were swells close to twenty feet.

We were lucky the first two days. Today, as dinner plates flew off tables, walking sideways was a sought after skill and opening doors became a Herculean event. I am reminded that this is November in the North-Atlantic.

The deck has been closed for two days. Peter Gaube, one of the scientists onboard, captured this great video illustrating why.

Link to Video:
http://vimeo.com/145070416

Day 4 also saw another successful launch of the weather balloon. Ever wonder how long the balloon lasts before it succumbs to a reduction in surrounding pressure? Well, I am told anywhere from one to two hours. That’s enough time for the researchers to gather important information like wind speed, temperature and humidity. All of these conditions will factor into the work they are doing onboard (more on that later).

No matter how big the waves, it seems there is an awesome nightcap to the days at sea. Sometimes it is the sunset, tonight it was walking to the front deck, in the pitch black, surrounded by stars. The C-130, that will meet up with the ship at the first stop, flew overhead. On the underbelly, a green laser that looked like a giant glow stick in the sky. This is a moment that was not on my bucket list but it should have been. Falling asleep tonight with gratitude for being a part of, in some small way, this awesome adventure

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Nicole Estaphan

I love surprises, they give us the opportunity to dive into the unknown with unquenchable curiosity. Two years ago, I made the decision to leave my job as an Atlanta television reporter. I moved home to Massachusetts and found myself on Cape Cod with no job and no idea of what was next, no idea about the pure magic that was about to enter my life. A friend of mine called and asked me to do a favor for a small radio station where she had just taken a job. All I had to do was go to Woods Hole, MA and interview a scientist about a mission called the NASA_NAAMES project. That scientist would end up changing my life and perspective in ways I am still trying to find the words to fully explain. After a discussion about their impending journey at sea--an invitation to join them. Though, Mike Behrenfeld and I still disagree on who asked who we DO agree on the result--a fantastic partnership was born. With less than twenty four hours notice I was on a ship headed to parts of the North Atlantic that few ever see in winter AND for good reason!! The conditions can be intense! At the time, given the challenges at sea and my video equipment being limited to one tiny little camera .
(RE: 24 hours notice) this blog became a way for me to communicate with the family members whose loved ones were so far away. Giving them an onboard look at the fascinating work at the hands of those they call family. Fast forward we are at it again!! This time as the scientists dive deeper into all that is unseen in our oceans--we will dive deeper into their research, the incredible sacrifices that come with that and the love that fuels their mission of discovery. The journey continues March 20th.....

JOURNALIST AT SEA