Wake Critters

Although, because of the work that I do while diving, I spend most of my time with eyes focused on the bottom, I do periodically look up to see who else besides coral and algae live on these reefs that we visit. These are a few of the fish that we encountered.

Yellow Tang

Spotted Unicornfish

Raccoon Butterflyfish

Blue-lined Surgeonfish

Now I'm off to bed.  Lot of work to do tomorrow, although unfortunately it will just be writing reports on what we've done.

Good night and be well,
Cristi

Leaving Wake

Lionfish

It's amazing how fast an island the size of Wake sinks below the horizon. Seven miles of land and nothing taller than a tree certainly can't be seen from very far away. We started transiting during dinner and by the time I checked outside, all signs of Wake had vanished. Except for the tan on my face and hands, some pictures and many bumps and bruises of unknown origin, you wouldn't know that we've spent the last five days diving at one of the most remote reefs in the Pacific (by the way, I never know what roll or bounce into the ocean floor or into a bit of pointy stainless steel causes what mallady, so the bruises are no big deal). It's been a hectic 120 hours filled with pounding steel stakes into the ocean bottom, counting corals, carrying SCUBA tanks, counting algae, moving tanks after people don't put them where there supposed to be, moving them again with a few well placed moans and groans and trying to coordinate 7 different scientists on one small boat that rolls through the waves like a pig wallowing in jello - and as for coordinating with scientists, think herding 7 pissy, wet cats (sorry for the terminology, but really, the word just fits).

Now I'm exhausted, sore in too many places, looking forward to my bed and I'm sorry to say that all you get for the evening is one pretty picture and these few lines to confirm that although salty and soggy, we're safe. I promise I'll post more photos tomorrow after I blissfully sleep through a morning without an alarm clock ringing at 5:45.

So good night for now, where ever you may be,

Cristi

Almost ready for diving

It's been cloudy and gloomy since before we got to Midway

It's the night before we arrive at Wake Atoll for dive operations - finally.  We're ready to be in the water and although we saw the sun for a few hours today - the first time in 4-5 days - as I type this, there is a lightning storm going on outside.  Plus the ship has been rolling like one of the dancing hippos in Fantasia for the last 3 days.  Needless to say, I'm hoping we find a lee to shelter in near the atoll and maybe - just maybe - the sun will pop out tomorrow.

I'm slightly concerned because of the amount of work we need to get done and the amount of gear we need to pile on to our small boat tomorrow.  It's going to look like a trash barge by the time we're done with it but hopefully we'll still find space to work.  We'll be using a new small boat tomorrow so it will be a learning experience all the way around.  Wish us luck.

I hope things are going well back on land and that you are well.  I'll say 'good night' for now and crawl into my rack for some down time before the 5:45 wake up call.
Take care,
Cristi

Nuclear Plume Models - Just in time for St. Paddy's Day

Ready for St. Patrick's Day

In case you haven't seen this, I thought this link to a Nuclear Plume model posted in the NY Times was both informative and comforting.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/16/science/plume-graphic.html?ref=science

Based on weather models and prevailing winds, this is the expected path of a possible radiation plume from Japan up through March 19. The islands aren't named, but the ones that the Hi'ialakai will be visiting are: USP77 = Wake Atoll, USP78 = Midway, USP80 = Guam. This puts us far south of where the winds will carry any possible radiation. Of course it does look like the west coast of the US will receive some radiation, but by the time the plume reaches the west coast, concentrations are expected to have dropped significantly. Also, one thing to remember is that we can detect radiation well below the levels that will have significant health effects. We have also been informed that the ship will be picking up a radiation monitor at Wake and it will be kept onboard for the duration of the cruise.

Other than that, things are quiet here and I have my Yearly Performance Evaluation to complete today. I would have opted for an elective root canal instead but that doc is busy so no such luck!

I hope you're enjoying St. Pattie's Day!
Cristi

Are we heading to Wake yet?!?!? No...

Midway in the grey of the morning

We've spent the last 10 hours sitting off of Midway, waiting for the morning light so we could launch small boats, taking our Laysan evacuees to land. The grey light of the morning turned from dark to lighter grey, the neon orange boat touched down in the steel blue waters with its sights on the distant, misty tree tops of Midway, and the evacuees were sent on their way. Now we expected the ship to turn its bow southwest and begin steaming the 4.5 days to Wake Atoll so we could finally begin our work. But no sooner had the small, orange boat been returned to its cradle and tied down in preparation for the long transit, then we were informed that another - yes - another - evacuation was required.

We are now transiting to Kure, an island even farther north than Midway, in order to evacuate five more scientific personnel and return them to Midway. The reason given was that there is concern that the radiation plume will reach the island and there are no other evacuation options.

We're thinking about adding a 'Taxi' light to the top of the ship.

That's all for now as we bob through stormy seas to our next set of refugees.

Take care and someone - anyone - send me an e-mail!!!

Cristi

Heading to Midway???

This morning we find ourselves heading towards Midway, one of the northern-most islands in the Hawaiian Islands chain. This wouldn't be odd, except that's not where we were originally going. We were diverted to Laysan Island 2 days ago to evacuate a group of 7 scientists stationed there, whose field camp was destroyed as a result of the tsunami. Now we're taking them to Midway where they will either wait for another ship or the next plane back to Honolulu. So our field operations have been delayed and unfortunately in order to get to Midway, we're heading directly into the path of storm. This means lots of gray skies and a rolling ship.

Not much excitement but since all we're doing is transiting, there is not much else to report. I've been spending most of my time doing computer work and dodging ping pong balls as they whiz past my head (the ping pong table is only 2 feet behind my work station)!

I hope all is well back on land.

Take care,

Cristi

Second Tsunami While Onboard the Hi'ialakai

We've spent the morning watching BBC news coverage of the earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. From what we've heard, most friends and family in Hawaii are safe. There are a few on Molokai that we are still concerned about, but hopefully we will here from them soon. As for Japan, a few of our friends and colleagues have family there and of course we haven't heard anything about them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, especially in this time of uncertainty.

That is about all that is happening for now. We are still heading west for Wake Atoll, although we just heard that our Monk Seal camps in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands have been damaged and there are people there. We may be diverted if evacuation of the camps is necessary, but we haven't heard anything yet. It's a transit day so unfortunately we don't have much to distract us from waiting for news. I'll be looking for work to keep me busy because just watching TV is frustrating. I've also realized that this is the second tsunami that I've spent aboard the Hi'ialakai in two years. It's probably the safest place to be but then again, it's happened twice too often for my preference.

Take care,

Cristi