Log Post: The Plastics of the Southwest Pacific

Plastics of varying size, quantity, type, and origin have been found in the ocean, from surface waters through the water column to deep-sea sediments. There are five large offshore plastic accumulation zones in the subtropical gyres of the ocean. The largest is in the North Pacific – the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ – which has … Continued

Log Post: Navigating Drifting Plates, Plastics, and Plumage

Back on land, gazing at the sea and looking back at the Seafloor to Seabirds expedition, I realize what a ride it has been. This is my third sea-going voyage and my first expedition as Chief Scientist. The scientific goals and science team were assembled, and paperwork completed in record time—just under three weeks before … Continued

Log Post: An Artist’s Journey Never Ends

My greatly anticipated journey has come to a close. It will be a shock to walk on firm ground once again and see people other than those 32 fellow travellers that I have spent the past 27 days amongst. For me, this Artist-at-Sea experience has been 27 days of full-on artistic process. This is a … Continued

Cruise: Discovering Deep-Sea Corals of the Phoenix Islands 2

In June, Falkor will return to the Phoenix Islands under Chief Scientist Randi Rotjan. The scientific objectives include continuing to investigate deep-sea microbes’ therapeutic potential; examining how ancient cold water corals survive predation by corallivores; and enquiring into the equator’s effect on the ecology of deep coral and sponge communities.

Log Post: Uncovering the Unseen

Submerged microcontinents, magnetic wiggles, hidden currents, microplastics, and seabirds- There is much to learn out here at sea. The depths of the ocean – from the water column to the seafloor – remain elusive. Advances in ocean technology led to an acceleration of our knowledge of the ocean, but systematic scientific exploration of the ocean … Continued

Log Post: Behind the Scenes of the R/V Falkor: Cool Jobs in Cool Places

My name is Sienna Blanckensee, and I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Queensland, studying for a Bachelor of Advanced Science. Through this degree, I have found an interest in oceanography. So, when my supervisor, Dr Helen Bostock, presented me with the chance to gain experience at sea for a month, I … 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

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

Log Post: A Triumph for Texan Engineering

Science seriously progressed today. It didn’t come easy but maybe that just makes it all the sweeter. Our launch was text-book just after 4am and separation went well at 5:30am with only a few moments of tension as we passed through 2000m.  Then, right on schedule, at 7:30am we made “landfall” at just less than … Continued

Log Post: Redemption Song

One of my NSF program managers sent me a message today saying that our live broadcasts could do with better music. Unfortunately, Jeremy (ETO and Higher Life Form) found out the hard way earlier in the cruise, when testing out the system, that we cannot lay music over the web-cast on YouTube due to Piracy … Continued