Scotscar Log - July 21, 2001

Saturday sunrise AM:

A quick welcome to the groups arriving in preparation. From Feri Dave Kohler and Jessica Britt have assumed their positions in the building and the Citation has had its first flight this Friday. The NRL-DC crowd is has come and has loaded the Northstar with their gear. They plan on testing this Saturday. They are joined by Emmanuel Boss (OSU and awesome new faculty addition to U. of Maine) and have a shiny new instrument cage which needs to be scuffed up a bit, it looks totally cool but has the feel of a new unblemished sneaker. The coming weeks will offer them plenty of such opportunities here in our organically rich waters off New Jersey. A special welcome to Mike Pursell from WHOI, a veteran of many Jersey field campaigns, who has been working with Mark Moline to get the REMUS operations started. Moline's REMUS system was tested this last day successfully in the Bay, the rough weather only kept everyone ashore except the mighty Caleta crew. He has also assisted the 24 hr node operations crew by allowing the group to explore node autoprofiling. These autoprofiling tests have been a long time in coming, and show much potential! A special recognition of our modelers who have been a doing a great job in the weather and ocean forecasting. Today operations call for Operation Blackmoon 2. Those present earn their cap.

The ocean reflects the storm which blew through here this week. The nearshore waters are thoroughly mixed, and warm water transported onshore. The chlorophyll levels have dropped and the upwelling which has dominated the local area for weeks, is over. However strong winds from the southwest which are coming offer the potential for a new upwelling cycle to begin again this next week. Whatever is present, the ships are ready. Rock on.