First time at Sea

Going to sea as part of the COMICS program, especially to the South Atlantic/Southern Ocean, for the first time within the first month of my PhD was an exciting opportunity (with a little apprehension also!). 

My friends and family researched what the weather would be like and came back informing me that the waves would be huge and it would be freezing cold, they were half right. For my first time at sea I have been fortunate to have reasonably calm seas with only one day of waves large enough to prevent equipment going over the side, but we could still work in the labs.

Yesterday we had blue skies and it was possible to sit outside when out of the wind as the air temperature had risen to above 2.5^oC, however today we had some snowflakes! I love the changing grey seas down here, they have so much energy and so much to tell us which is why we are here.

The science on this project is fascinating and the whole team are working hard on their part of the carbon cycle to collect and process the data from the samples taken. Everyone is very happy to chat about their interests and aspects of the project so I’m learning about much more than my PhD focus. The group are very happy and friendly and I’ve brought my Euphonium with me and no one minds when I have a practice in the scientific hold. I’m not sure anyone has ever played the Euphonium on the Southern Ocean before so that’s another first for me! I’m sure this trip will entail many more firsts, not just for me but for the unique science being investigated.

Jo Ainsworth

PhD Student

23 November 2017