Teacher Logbook:
Monday, July 31, 2000

Mary Beth's Observations
Yesterday Carol and I had the opportunity to tour the massive, and very clean, engine room, responsible for generating all the power and potable water for NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown. The ship is powered by a state of the art split bus diesel electric propulsion system. The ship's stern thrusters can rotate 360 degrees to provide exceptional control and maneuverability. The ship's engine room also contains 6 diesel generators, which provide power to the propulsion system. The generators also supply power to all the ship's laboratories, vans, communications and navigation systems, as well as to dynamic positioning, scientific information and machinery control systems throughout the ship.

I was amazed by the amount of electronic equipment found in the engine room. All engine room operations are controlled by a central computer (see attached picture). We soon discovered the ship could be driven from the engine room using the same computer controls found on the bridge. In am emergency, the ship could also be driven manually, with individual controlling the directions of the thrusters using hydraulics.

Let's take a minute to recognize the guys who work so hard to keep the ship moving in the right direction. Chief Marine Engineer Steven Layn First
Assistant Engineer Michael Gowen
Second Assistant Engineer Michael Kelsey
Third Assistant Engineer Brian Mitchell
Junior Engineer Gordon Gardipe
Junior Engineer Patrick McManus
Wiper Patrick Quinanola

They work to ensure the engines are running, the engine room is clean and we all have water to drink each day we are on the ship.

Carol's Observations
Sunday was a special day for the Teachers-At-Sea. We took a short break from our duties and eagerly awaited the evening's outdoor cookout, which the early morning fog couldn't dampen. The fog didn't clear most of the day. It clung to the ship's cold walls, changed to a thin sheet of water, and collected on the decks. Not the kind of day for an "iron beach" picnic. I lost all hope that the weather would clear in time. The sun finally heated the air enough for the fog to clear an hour before the big event. The party was a great success. The traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and ribs with all the fixings were spread out on long tables. For dessert there were two ice cream layer cakes. The birthday cake was for Darin's sixteenth birthday. Darin is one of the Broward County Marine Science students on this cruise. The going away cake was for Daniel Aronson, LCDR, USPHS. Dan is the ship's "Doc" and taking his last cruise with NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown before his reassignment to Norfolk, VA.

Even with a party going on the scientific research continued. Those responsible for running the ship and taking CTD data ate in shifts. Scientists, officers and crew at sea do not take a day off. Data collection occurs around the clock seven days a week as the ship sails the planned course. In the past, my students at Jamestown High School (JHS) had e-mailed the scientists with questions. The scientists, in-spite of a very busy schedule, replied promptly and completely to the JHS students. Being on this cruise has made me keenly aware of how little we knew about the scientists' long work hours and the challenges of conducting research for weeks at a time at sea.

The centraol computer control panel in the Brown's engine room.

The Doc opening some of his going-away presents as this is his farewell voyage on the Brown.