Log Post: Ocean drivers of reef productivity

Coral reefs are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet, with the primary producers at the base of the food chain (including corals) supporting their complex food webs. Through primary production, reef organisms covert carbon dioxide via photosynthesis into energy (organic carbon) that they and other reef organisms use for food. Although light provides … Continued

Log Post: Can’t Stop Moving

I really can’t stop moving. There are two reasons for this. One is that I am on a ship. The other is that I am on a ship. Yes, these are distinct reasons. First, life as a scientist on a research vessel is busy. I am running (or rather walking briskly; we do not run … Continued

Log Post: Becalmed in Vent-Infested Waters

Today was a taxing day.  Late on Wednesday it became apparent that our test of the winch that we use to lower the depressor vehicle (the one that acts to protect Nereus’ single optical-fiber tether from the waves and energy in the upper ocean) had not gone well. After 2 hours in the water and … Continued

Cruise: The Secret Lives of Whales

On the first of three student cruises, the team aboard Falkor answered questions about whales’ decision-making process about how and where whales feed in the deep sea.

Person: Dara Tebo

Dara Tebo is a REMUS AUV Operator in the Ocean Systems Laboratory (OSL) at WHOI.  Dara started at WHOI in 2007 working in the Rigging Shop where she fabricated and tested mooring components and established procedures for testing wire used on the UNOLS Fleet.  She has gone to sea with several groups at WHOI deploying … Continued

Log Post: A Dive with SuBastian

ROV SuBastian, the Research Vessel Falkor’s Remotely Operated Vehicle, is designed for the efficient collection of scientific data at depths up to 4500m. The yellow robot is currently being used to understand the similarities and differences across large features of the deep sea. Recently, researchers have asked, are the communities on either end more similar … Continued

Log Post: Character Building

When I was growing up, my older brother Tim used to enjoy explaining how any adverse conditions that you lived through could be ascribed to being character building.  I therefore present to you the team aboard RVFalkor: with our characters further developed. The day started very well – into the dry lab at 05h30 to … Continued

Cruise: The Iron Eaters of Loihi Seamount

AUV Sentry will be used at Hawaii’s underwater volcano, Loihi Seamount, whose base remains largely unexplored. The team will survey and sample the seamount to better understand the dispersion of hydrothermal fluids from Loihi to the Pacific Ocean.