Archive of Spotlight Feature Articles

NOAA Researchers Exploring the Sea in a New Capacity

by Erica Van Coverden

"In my experience, the guests were both intrigued and amazed at the quantity and detail of the scientific equipment available to scientists, and it was a real pleasure to lead those interested down the path of discovery."

Have you ever been aboard a cruise ship and wondered what was happening in the deep blue ocean below, or the star-studded skies above? Have you been on a tropical vacation and made new and fascinating discoveries about the oceans and environments you were traveling through? Or have you simply had an afternoon chat with an oceanographer or meteorologist about the current weather or sea state while on your vacation? If not, then you are missing out on one of the newest ways the public has to interact with scientists at sea.

For the past year, several of NOAA's Miami based research scientists have participated in a new form of community outreach that takes quite a departure from the traditional classroom visit. These scientists are participants in the Explorer of the Seas visiting scientist program. The Explorer of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) passenger ship that traverses the Gulf Stream and Windward Passages each week. The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and RCCL have installed atmospheric and oceanographic laboratories aboard the ship, the first of their kind.

AOML's contribution includes the design, installation and monitoring of the autonomous oceanographic instrumentation aboard the Explorer. This instrumentation includes two ocean surveyor acoustic Doppler current profilers that monitor ocean currents and biomass such as fish and plankton. Additionally, seawater sensors measure temperature and salinity, chlorophyll and dissolved organic material, and dissolved oxygen. A specially-designed particle pressure carbon dioxide system (akin to that on our NOAA vessel Ron Brown) is currently being added to the complement of instruments.

Examples of this data can be viewed on the RSMAS web site: www.rsmas.miami.edu/rccl. Click on the "Current Observations" title to view near real-time data. Plans have been made to markedly enhance Web access over the coming year.

These sensors have been installed and integrated by RSMAS technicians into a fiber-optic networked data acquisition system that logs the NOAA oceanographic data and RSMAS meteorological data with synoptic GPS positions and GMT time stamps. This overall effort represents an unprecedented partnership between the business, academic and Federal maritime communities. From a NOAA perspective it offers the opportunity to collect a unique, long-term data set in a climatically critical region.

Many RCCL passengers take advantage of the opportunity to tour these facilities and also visit the on-board science education/interaction centers known as Eco Learning Centers. Although these laboratories help to make Explorer a one of a kind cruise ship, the added component of a weekly visiting scientist gives passengers a chance to become ocean explorers as they cruise through the Caribbean and Gulf Stream waters.

In exchange for room and board provided by Royal Caribbean, the visiting scientist works daily on a research project of his or her own design or assists the onboard University of Miami technician with laboratory maintenance. The most exciting component, however, is interaction with the passengers. Visiting scientists present two lectures while on board: one about the actual laboratories and one about their field of expertise. Topics have ranged from the anatomy of a hurricane to career options in oceanography.

The laboratories are also open daily for tours provided by the visiting scientist. Passengers can learn about various instruments used to collect data and why measurements in the Gulf-Stream region are so important to scientists. They can also get a first-hand chance to see up-to-the-minute readings on measurements such as ship speed, ocean temperature, rain rate, and dissolved oxygen and CO₂ levels.

The interaction does not end with scheduled appearances, however. From casual pool-side conversations to lively chats over dinner, there are many opportunities for passengers to interact and learn much from their resident expert. Every scientist that has participated in the Explorer program comments on the constant interaction with the crew and passengers.

Shailer Cummings, AOML Oceanographer, gives one of the first tours of the ocean labs on Explorer to Dr. James Baker, former NOAA Administrator.

Judy Gray, Deputy Director, and Dr. Kristina Katsaros, Director, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.

Here is what some of NOAA's recent "explorers" of the sea had to say about their experience:

"I truly enjoyed this unique experience. As a research scientist, I am trained to rigorously test scientific hypotheses using the tried and true 'scientific method.' It was nice, however, to briefly step out of that mold and teach basic science to individuals who were genuinely interested in learning more about the atmosphere and ocean. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to other scientists and hope to represent NOAA on the Explorer of the Seas in the future."

-AOML Research Meteorologist Joseph J. Cione
Talk Title: "Earth's Great Heat Engine: The Hurricane!"

"It was a great experience! I did not find it overly commercialized, the entertainment was fantastic, and I got as much exercise roaming the decks as I get at home. The people attending the talks and lab tours seemed generally motivated and expressed their interest with their questions. The lab-related activities were well organized and conducted. I would definitely do it again."

AOML Oceanographer David Enfield
Talk Title: "El Niño & the North Atlantic: Why do they Matter?"

"I think this is a perfect opportunity to explain to the public what do we do as NOAA scientists. It is also a great example to explain that satellite weather pictures are generated by NOAA and not NASA, as is generally assumed. I also used the opportunity to explain the NOAA mission and goals, as well as how we differ from other research organizations. I was impressed by the interest that people showed in the research we were doing. The number of visitors increased during the week as the word spread. It was very gratifying to participate in the program, and I hope to do it again."

AOML Oceanographer Silvia Garzoli
Talk Title: "The oceans: How they affect our climate"

"I was on board for one of the earlier voyages to help work on our oceanographic systems. The lab tours were very well received and well attended. Informally as we wandered around the ship we also held numerous conversations with passengers who were very interested in the project and NOAA, and held high regard for both. Best of all, someone who used to work with a close friend of mine, Dr. Harold Edgerton, attended the lectures as well. The technician and I ate lunch with her and gave her a private tour. She was a delight!"

AOML Oceanographer Peter Ortner
Talk Title: "The Mysterious Gulf Stream"

"In my experience, the guests were both intrigued and amazed at the quantity and detail of the scientific equipment available to scientists, and it was a real pleasure to lead those interested down the path of discovery. Many of the guests visiting the science labs or attending the lectures would remember me, and they would eagerly greet me anywhere on the ship as, "hey, you're the scientist!"

AOML Research Meteorologist CDR Sean R. White, NOAA
Talk Title: "Hunting for Hurricanes"

"I feel like I made a real connection with a couple of young folks who were considering weather or ocean-related courses of study when they go to college. Their parents were happy to meet someone in the field to discuss career opportunities, fields of study, income potential, office locations, etc. I also connected with some retired folks who had worked in weather or ocean-related fields either in the military or civilian service and who were impressed by the technological advancements evident on the ship. As a former ocean-going scientist, this presented a wonderful opportunity to combine community outreach with time back on the water, albeit a more luxurious environment than typical research ships."

AOML Deputy Director and Meteorologist Judy Gray
Talk Title: "You, too, Could be a Meteorologist or Oceanographer"

For more information about the research labs on board Explorer of the Seas, including an electronic tour of the ship, please visit the Web site at http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/rccl/

[1/28/2002]

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