FTV 2/9/2013 More from the Emergency Management Classroom

I can certainly feel the heat creeping up as we sail full steam ahead toward Puerto Rico. The ship is running on full power making it possible for us to get to Puerto Rico in time to stick with the allotted schedule.

I've made it to my second class of Emergency Management after a nice break of liberty. Kim started off the day with an introduction on Natural Disasters. She had the class watch a film that showed how a forest fire can catch and spread within a matter of minutes! Emergency Management does have a huge part in the response to natural disasters, with organizations such as FEMA.

Later on, Arthur discussed Radioactive Materials with the class. He mentioned Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Rays. Alpha rays can simply be blocked by skin or a piece of paper. Beta Rays can pass through both, but will most likely be blocked by a thicker material (six inches of material will block out beta rays). Gamma Rays are the most hazardous because they have no mass and no charge; the only thing that can prevent these rays from passing through is a layer of lead. Think about this: when you go to the dentist, once in a while they take x-rays of your jaw and teeth. They leave the room, but cover you with a heavy vest. That vest has lead in it to protect you and your organs from the radioactive rays emitted from the x-ray machine.


To show how the three rays differ from each other, we used a Geiger Meter and some samples of all three rays (samples are kept in a lead container!). The Geiger Meter counts the particles of radiation being emitted from each sample. There is a stationary meter and a hand held meter. After lunch, Dr. Jop and Kim set off to find a spot on the ship to hide a makeshift bomb. The students were then given a device that would be able to indicate whether or not the bomb was nearby. In a real life situation the meter would detect any radioactive materials being emitted from the bomb. But, since the bomb is fake, the meter picks up radio waves that come from a wire attached to the "bomb".  After a long search, the class was successful; the "bomb" was located on the bridge.

Well, cadets are back up on the HELO and Boat decks catching some rays (from the sun!). I must say that I am  looking forward to the beach and cannot wait for some of the great excursions that are coming up!

Alicia

Here are some way that radiation is used in today's technological society.

Radiation in Science

Scientists can label important molecules, called tracers, that pass through living things to allow them to understand the steps that occur in important processes, such as photosynthesis. They can also study paths that different types of air and water pollution take through the environment. Radiation is used to measure the age of ancient objects by a process called carbon dating. Carbon is found in all living things, and a small percentage of this carbon is carbon-14. When a plant or animal dies, it no longer takes in new carbon and the carbon-14 continues the process of radioactive decay. After many years the percentage of radioactivity in the old object is less than when the object was living.

Radiation in Medicine
Doctors administer slightly radioactive substances to patients which are attracted to certain internal
organs such as the pancreas, kidney, thyroid, liver, or brain. A computer can change a non-invasive
scan of the targeted organ or system into pictures on a computer screen or film. This can be used by the doctor to diagnose what is wrong with the patient. Radiation is also used for the treatment of serious illnesses, such as cancer. Treating patients with radiation is called radiotherapy. A beam of radiation can pass through the skin and kill harmful cancer cells without the patient having an operation.

Radiation in Industry
Medical equipment such as bandages, syringes and surgical instruments can be placed in sealed bags and sterilized by radiation. Since the radiation passes through the bags, they can remain sealed until the contents are needed. Engineers use radioisotopes to gauge the thickness of materials and to find defects in many types of metals and machines which would be difficult to detect otherwise. They can be used to check the flow of liquids in machinery and the way various materials wear out. An example is americium-241 which is used inside smoke detectors.

Learn more about radioactive waves and the electromagnetic spectrum
Try this electromagnetic spectrum puzzle. or this quiz
This interactive shows everyday sources of radiation in our enviroment
This activty demonstrates radioactive decay and half life

Captain's Blog 2/8/13

Yesterday we were doing the anchor drills in Mayaquez Bay and faced a problem that has plagued seafarers for centuries - illness at sea. The Kennedy crews up a full medical professional staff, but even with this team of skilled people, when someone becomes ill they cannot always cure the patient. Friday night I was alerted to a probable case of appendicitis in a 4/C cadet. This is one illness that must be solved with a surgical procedure. Although the ill cadet was not showing definitive signs our close proximately to land and a hospital dictated we get him ashore for definitive evaluation.

After being granted approval by Customs and Border protection we contacted the hospital emergency medical department. About 1330 we launched the fast rescue boat and transported the cadet and our paramedic ashore. They were met ashore by a driver arranged through our shipping agency Perez y Cia in San Juan. As of the last report the tests were positive and the cadet will have surgery.

I believe that excellent professional medical evaluation and treatment by our Sick Bay staff deserves significant credit - but also the crew of our rescue boat - and our contacts ashore made this potentially life-threatening situation seem to be routine. But medical are anything but routine. My personal thanks to all the cadets involved, from the medical corpsmen to the launching and boat crews. I am purposely avoiding mentioning any particular people in this acknowledgement - there are many, many people involved.

We'll be in Mayaquez Bay again today - we'll be very close to make sure the cadet is well taken care of, and that his parents are well informed.

FTV 2/8/2013 MSEP Plankton Tows

 Today I was able to catch Dr. Jaroslow (MSEP Instructor) and Meg (MSEP Training Rate) class on their way to do a plankton tow. It is difficult to find the perfect time to do a tow because the ship has to be going very, very slowly and the setup is  time consuming so the timing must be right.

Dr. J only goes through the process of slowing down the ship when the MSEP class is in need of new samples. So, we headed up from the classroom to the stern of the ship to prepare for today's tow. The net was tied to a long line, and once we were sailing at approximately one knot, Dr. J released the net, and tied the line to one of the bits on the stern.

We watched  the plastic container on the net bobbing up and down in the waves as the net skimmed the subsurface of the ocean.  Out on the HELO deck I noticed some cadets on the with fishing lines out, waiting for a bite. After thirty minutes of towing Dr. J began to pull the line and hoist the net.

plankton tow sample

The MSEP students collected the sample and returned to their classroom to look at the plankton under the microscopes. In their samples they found lots of squid larvae.          

~Alicia

squid lavae

The MSEP students sample consisted of Plankton which are microscopic organisms that float freely with oceanic currents and in other bodies of water. Plankton is made up of tiny plants (called phytoplankton) and tiny animals (called zooplankton). The word plankton comes from the Greek word "planktos" which means "drifting." Phytoplankton: Phytoplankton are primary producers (also called autotrophs). As the base of the oceanic food web, phytoplankton use chlorophyll to convert energy (from sunlight), inorganic chemicals (like nitrogen), and dissolved carbon dioxide gas into carbohydrates. Zooplankton: Zooplankton are microscopic animals that eat other plankton.

You can learn more about plankton and how scientists use them to study the ocean ecosystems.
Plankton
Virtual Plankton Tow
Plankton tow technology at WHOI  Video
Plankton tow video
Blueworld Plankton math and science
Plankton adaptations

Plankton Webquest
Webquest Handout

Captain's Blog 2/8/13

The first full day out to sea after a port visit sometimes grows a hectic. We catch up on our long-term planning, and the application over the short-term before the next port. The Department heads meeting, which can take a little as 20 minutes, stretched to over an hour. Tactical response is discussed on unforeseen issues, yesterday was a poorly performing air-handler in the aft house upper deck, and a depleting ice supply. There's never a dull moment aboard a ship with a population of a small town.

One very serious issue we were dealing with yesterday was a sick cadet. He was ashore and was swimming at a beach at night. Unfortunately he was was repeatedly stung by the tentacles of a jellyfish he did not see in the dark. 1/C James Riccardone was on the beach and recognized that the attack was affecting him and rushed him back to the ship. Our medical team evaluated him, seeing very acute changes to his vital signs. After administering proper medicines to him, they monitored him for over eight hours. After another eight hours the cadet was awake and showing normal vital signs. The quick evaluation and response by James was the key to their successful treatment.

I received a very nice email from the Dean of the Caribbean Maritime Academy, Capt. Devron S. Newman, complimenting the Kennedy for being wonderful host to his cadets, and the opportunity we gave his cadets to witness personally equipment and procedures that are often vague when simply presented in the classroom. His kind words were extended toward me, but the actual hosts were our cadets. I would like to acknowledge 1/c Lauren DiNapoli and Josh Lamm, who lead the team, assisted by 3/C John Albani, Kyle Butler and Richard Alyward. Like the CMI cadets that I mentioned on my Blog while in Jamaica - how impressed I was with their questions and appearance - our cadets also make the specific schools shine. So my thanks to Lauren and Josh for organizing an experience for our guests that was worthwhile and memorable.

We are south of Dominican Republic this morning with a brisk easterly wind and partly cloudy skies. I've had some questions about our 'ship tracking' and inconsistent posting for readers of the Blog and FTV. Please understand that except for our MMA web page where daily latitude and longitude is posted, we do not control others. Our four-times daily weather observations are sent to NOAA, and our passive Automatic Identification System (AIS) just transmits away. It is working without question. Occasionally weather and geographic interference take space, and might affect the ability for a land-based station to receive it. I hope the readers will understand this explanation.

FTV 2/7/2013 Mooring Stations

When the Kennedy pulled out of its berth in Jamaica  I had the opportunity to stand by at the stern and watch the deckies work their magic at the mooring stations. Mooring stations are located forward, aft, or at the gangway. The lines (or ropes) that you see attached from the ship to the pier keep the ship from floating away. The ship is maneuvered in a particular fashion in order for the lines to come loose just right. Then the gangway is from the pier, and the tiki hut is hoisted off the dock. Mooring stations can take anywhere from 45 minutes to just about an hour. Factors like weather, experience of the deckies, and how wet the line is determine how long this process takes.

I got a quick glimpse of the cadets moving the gangway, then made my way to the stern to watch the aft mooring stations. Captain DeCicco was in charge of this group, giving helpful teaching techniques and supervision; the cadets apply the skills what they learned in the classroom and in previous practice rounds. During a routine Mooring Stations all the lines of the ship are collected from the pier and stored properly. At the aft station, the lines are stored underneath the fantail (at the stern). Once the lines are hoisted from the pier, the deckies heave them into the compartment. With the help of the winch the deckies are able to swiftly and methodically pass the line to each other. The line is then neatly coiled and stowed away until we get to Aruba.

Some fun facts about lines: Today the deckies hoisted 6 lines that are about 8 inches in diameter and 600 feet long. When they are dry their weight is just about 1 pound per foot; when wet their weight can double.  The deckies had one very long morning of preparing lines. We will look into the differences of this process from the entering port process once we make it to Aruba!

Using this info can you calculate calculate the dry and wet weight of the lines that were used to hold the
Kennedy in its berth?

Today Alicia's blog contained many of the terms that sailors use to identify parts of the ship. Use the activity below to apply some of the terms you know.

Read this selection from Moby Dick by Herman Melville. It is from chapter 16, “The Ship,” in which the narrator describes the whaling ship Pequod.

 "She was a boat of the old school, rather small if anything. . . . Long, seasoned and weather-stained in the typhoons and calms of all four oceans, her old hull’s complexion was darkened like a French grenadier’s, who has alike fought in Egypt and Siberia. Her venerable bow looked bearded. Her masts—cut somewhere on the coast of Japan, where her original ones were lost overboard in a gale—her masts stood stiffly up like the spines of the three old kings of Cologne. Her ancient decks were worn and wrinkled".

In this selection, Melville describes four parts of the ship. How does he help you picture

them in your own mind?

Part of ship Description in your own words

1.

2.

3.

4.

• Use this worksheet to Label the parts of the T.S.Kennedy

FTV 2/6/2013 Sick Bay

After checking out at the Tiki Hut, cadets are reminded to apply sunscreen

Third and final day in Jamaica, and I am the Rate on Watch (ROW). At 1125, I headed down the gangway and went to my post inside of the Tiki Hut, which is located on the dock at each port. In order to keep track of the comings and goings of cadets and staff each person is assigned a colored id bracelet which contains a computer chip, This electronic check out system allows for an immediate accounting of the who is on the ship and who is on liberty. 

Cadets on duty man the Tiki check point

This afternoon, a group of Jamaican Maritime Students came aboard to visit the Kennedy. They had a tour of our facilities and seemed to really enjoy our "home away from home".
In just a few hours we will be leaving Jamaica. We will be at sea for 7 days headed for Aruba! I cannot wait!

As we head back out to sea the T.S. Kennedy will no doubt hit some more rolling seas. In last weeks swells not many cadets had strong stomachs, and many  got sick. The Binnacle, or Sick Bay (maybe you'd know it better as Health Services) was filled with nauseous bellies and the need for saltines and ginger ale. Sick Bay is located at an easy access point for all of the cadets and crew, just adjacent to the ComCad office.

The Sick Bay suite has an examining room, an isolation room in case someone gets seriously ill or injured, and a treatment room containing the type of emergency equipment that may need for minor mishaps or for the occasional cut that may need to be stitched up. In general they provide cadets with all of the necessary medical care on the ship. They also have a supply of sunblock, hand sanitizer, and medicine for seasickness. 

Sick bay is well staffed with a doctor (Dr. King), a nurse practitioner (Judy), as well as an emergency room assistant (Jonathan), and a councilor Ms. Kathleen Shine-O'Brien. If there is anything we need, from an I.V. to someone to talk to, we have everything there in the Binnacle. In fact, it should be noted that outside of cruise ships and large military vessels, the TS Kennedy is one of the most advanced, medically equipped and staffed ships on the seas today.

The Kennedy medical team

For someone like me, who is known for having a very weak stomach, especially due to seasickness. I follow a regiment of a daily precautionary dose of Dramamine so I do not get sick. Luckily I did not feel sick  because duty for that day was a day of inside cleaning. I was on patrol to clean up seasick accidents that were occurring throughout the ship (Yuck!). Mr. Demarines, a 4/C from 2 Company, was very helpful as part of my cleaning crew. He grabbed a mask and some heavy duty gloves from Sick Bay and lead the way around the ship prepared to clean. It may seem gross, but we were the cadets on duty so it was our job to work together with Sick Bay in our efforts to sanitize the ship. This is all part of the regiment lifestyle we live on board the T.S. Kennedy; even if there is a job we don't particularly care for (ex. cleaning up after seasick cadets) it still has to be done in order to keep everyone else from getting sick and to keep our ship in tip top shape. But, I was still glad when my shift was over!

To understand how and why we get sickness read this
Hot Topic from the Dive and Discover website.
Try this activity that simulates seasickness, without really getting sick that is.
This activity will make a model of the inner ear

Captain's Blog 2/5/13

We set sail from Montego Bay this morning under perfect conditions. We did not have a tug so we were reliant upon our engine and bow thruster only. The pilot gently worked against the forward spring line, and as the stern lifted off the dock we thrusted the bow to port. It took about 20 minutes but it was textbook shiphandling. Very nice experience.

We had two cadets depart from this port - both for medical reasons. It is sad to see them leave, they have invested a lot of money and time into the sea term, but unfortunately in both cases the division rotation has not allowed them to complete all their training elements, so they do not get academic credit for the voyage.

But Montego Bay was a pleasant surprise from nearly all facets of a port visit. The cadets went ashore to blow off some stream, and they had many different locations to do so. The SGA sponsored port tours were very successful. The cadets that went on the horseback and beach swim explained to us that is wasn't just riding on the beach, and getting off to swim. No, this actually included the horses swimming with the riders in the saddle. And the zip line tour in the mountains was not for those folks with heart conditions! So, all in all, a few twisted ankles and some sunburn, but we're mostly intact. We've eight days to work hard at training and maintenance before were arrive in Aruba.

FTV 2/5/2013 Horseback Riding in Jamaica

On my second day in Jamaica, I went on a horse riding excursion in Sandy Bay. Bernard was our bus driver and tour guide for the day. As we road by the Lucea Courthouse, Bernard explained that the clock we see on the top was intended for the island of St. Lucia in the eastern Caribbean. However, the captain of the ship confused both places and “landed” the clock – a gift from Germany for the people of St. Lucia. The  Lucea townsfolk refused to let go of the clock. The clock was installed in 1817. Today, the clock, with the top of its tower in the shape of the helmet worn by the German Royal Guard, remains a landmark in Lucea.

Next, Bernard stopped along the side of the road so we could admire the giant water wheel on the Tryall Estate. It is over 200 years old, 10 meters in diameter and is the only waterwheel in Jamaica which is still operational. The wheel is powered by water from the Flint River which is carried along a 2 mile aqueduct. The wheel originally powered the sugar crush that was produced on this sugar plantation  but was partially destroyed during the slave revolt of 1831. It was rebuilt in the 1950s.

When we made it to Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours, everyone was very welcoming. The ranch is located at a beautiful beach in a gorgeous part of the Sand Bay district. We were each given a helmet and a horse to ride. My very sweet horse's name was Ed; he was a beautiful light brown horse with a long mane. We did a practice ride in a corral, in our group we had some cadets who had never ridden a horse, and a few cadets that were experienced horsemen. I was kind of in the middle group because I worked with horses in high school so I'm not afraid of them, and new the riding basics. After we practiced in the corral, we took a short ride out to the rolling hills of Jamaica. It was muddy from the rain shower we had earlier but Ed was tough and trotted along. We made a big loop around back to the ranch where we dismounted the horses and got our swim suits on. The instructors changed the horses out of their saddles and into blankets; for our swim with the horses! It was an experience of a lifetime! but my horse, Robin didn't seem to like the water very much. She must have still been in training because the instructor had the rope attached to her which he used to lead the rest of the horses around. We had so much fun!
                                  

After our horse ride, it was time to hit the beach again. We stopped at Doctor's Cove, named after the Doctor bird. The Doctor Bird (Trochilus polytmus) is the common name for the Swallow-Tail Hummingbird, the national bird of Jamaica. The feathers have a shimmering emerald green and black colour, a trait which is peculiar to this family of birds. The bird is able to fly backwards, this causes the feathers to make a humming sound when it flies (giving this avian family its common name of the hummingbird).

On the beach there where huge tubes and a floating "rock" wall. We spent the remainder of our day here and watched the Superbowl. Well, tomorrow is our last day in Jamaica, and I must say I am going to miss this beautiful island.

Alicia




To learn more about this island and its natural wonders try one of these webquests:
JAMAICA WETLANDS
JAMAICA'S BIODIVERSITY
JAMAICA'S MICROCLIMATES
HEAL JAMAICA, HEAL THE PLANET
JAMAICA'S ATTRACTIONS

FTV 2/4/2013 Changes in sea water temperature

This Seawater temperature map shows areas of warmer water in red and areas of cooler water is blue. White areas represent ice. Notice the upward finger of cold water in the South Pacific off of South America and the downward finger of cold water in the North Pacific off of the West Coast of the USA. 

The temperature of seawater varies with the amount of sun that hits that area. This includes the length of time as well as the angle of the sun's rays. The longer the time and the more direct the rays of the sun fall on the ocean, the greater the temperature of seawater. Thus, tropical areas that get more year-round sun and more direct sun (almost 90 degrees, straight down for most of the year at noon) have warmer surface waters than polar areas that may have no sun at all for several months each year and then very steep angles of the sun's rays (never directly overhead at noon). Knowing this about ocean water helps us understand that surface ocean temperatures are warm in the tropics (up to 30 or more degrees C) and cooler at the poles (down to -2 degrees C). But, when we look below the surface we find that the oceans are also vertically stratified and marine scientists recognize a basic three layered ocean - the upper mixed layer, the main thermocline, and deep (bottom) water.

The three layered ocean with the upper mixed layer (yellow), main thermocline (green), and deep (bottom) water (blue).

Seawater temperature affects marine organisms by changing the reaction rates within their cell(s). Although each species has a specific range of temperature at which it can live, the warmer the water gets the faster the reactions and the cooler the water the slower the reactions. An organism's response to water temperature is considered to be cold blooded (or poikilothermic) or warm blooded (homeothermic) depending on their ability to control their internal body temperature. If any species is moved out of its temperature tolerance range it may die in a short time although temperatures on the cool side of the range are easier for organisms to tolerate than temperatures on the warm side because cell reactions just slow down in the cold but may speed up over six times the normal levels for each 10 degrees C of heat.

Marine algae (left) and marine green turtles (right), a reptile, are cold blooded.

Walruses and dolphins are warm blooded

Water heats up and cools down more slowly than air. By volume water can hold more heat than air. In this activity, you will conduct an experiment to see different rates of change in water and air temperatures.
Try this activity to see how it works
Learn more about ocean temperature changes
Here is a sea temperature challenge sheet
Changing Planet: Rising Ocean Temperatures – RisingSea Levels

Captain's Blog 2/4/13

This morning we are hosting about 30 cadets and officers from the Caribbean Maritime Institute here in Montego Bay. CMI is very much like Massachusetts Maritime Academy. They have 200 students, and the ones that are aboard are upper class and sharp. They wear white shirts and black trousers - much like our "salt and pepper" uniform, impeccably tailored, starched and fitted with shoulder boards, insignia and ribbons.

I spoke with the group for about 20 minutes, explaining MMA to them and answering their questions. I was very impressed with their attitude and questions. It is so very nice to be able to see other intuitions - but most importantly to get to speak with the cadets.

Our cadets have enjoyed this port immensely, especially the beaches and the tours funded by the Student Government Association. But all good things come to an end, and they will all be aboard and accounted for by midnight as we set sail at 0800 for Aruba - after eight days at sea.

FTV 2/3/2013 Jamaica's Coral Reefs

Situated below Cuba and west of Haiti, Jamaica is a small Caribbean island located below Cuba and west of Haiti,with about  5 million residents. Tourism is this country's main industry, with many cruise lines docking in Jamaica's ports every day.

Jamaica's reef is on the fringe of the northern coast, naturally growing on a narrow shelf around the island. It is less structured in the south, where river sediment breaks up coral growth on a shallower, wide shelf.
Jamaica's coral reef is deteriorating at an alarming rate due to the overuse of reef resources, coastal erosion along the coast as a result of farming, and the over development of the coastal regions to meet the needs of the increasing tourist industry. Additionally, tropical storms and hurricanes cause destruction to the coral reefs, physically blasting apart their very foundations.

In recent years, as people began to care more about the environment, scientists began to study the coral reefs. Efforts are being made to restore the reefs through stricter laws to help help prevent erosion, pollution, and fishing problems. 

Coral reefs are fragile ecosystems that dependent on a narrow range of environmental conditions to develop and grow, slight variations in temperature, water quality and sea level easily affect them. Climate change is a particular threat to reefs because corals cannot survive if the water temperature is too high. Global warming has already led to increased levels of coral bleaching, and this is predicted to increase in frequency and severity in the coming decades. Such bleaching events may be the final nail in the coffin for already stressed coral reefs and reef ecosystems.


All coral reefs began life as single polyp which is a tiny, soft marine animal like a small sea anemone that is attached to a hard surface. "Stony" coral species (order Scleractinia) live as colonies and exude calcium carbonate, which forms an external skeleton. As the polyps grow and die, these stony corals create the reefs that we know. There are also other coral and coral-like species, including soft corals (order Alcyonacea) which do not form a skeleton.

Coral polyps have stinging tentacles that they use to catch food. During the day, these tentacles are usually tucked away, out of reach of hungry fish and other marine animals. But at night they unfold to catch their prey, plankton which flows by the reef with the current.

There are three basic kinds of coral reefs: fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls. Fringing reefs grow in shallow waters close to the coast. Barrier reefs are separated from land by a lagoon, and grow parallel to the coast and forming a large and continuous reef. Atolls are ring-shaped reefs that develop near the sea surface.

Here are some activities that demonstrate the effects of climate change on reefs and oceans.
Use satellite data to predict coral bleaching events.
Build a model coral reef.
Try this coral reef crossword.

Captain's Blog 2/3/13

We were notified yesterday of the passing of Lisa M. Gusmini. Lisa was a graduate of the Class or 1986 - but never lost sight of her alma mater. While raising her family she helped out in admissions, worked as adjunct instructor in the marine transportation department - and most importantly, she was a trustee for five years in the early 2000s. She could always be counted on to support the Academy in any way she was able - we'll miss her terribly. Our flags are flying at half staff down here in Montego in her honor, and our prayers go out to her family during this sad time.

Today is Superbowl Sunday - but between the unbelievably beautiful island and beaches in Jamaica, and the Patriots sitting this one out - there isn't too much excitement for the game tonight. Against my heart's feelings, I am going with the Ravens.

We said so long to Dr. Marie King yesterday - her time was up and had to return to UMASS Memorial. She has been relieved by Dr. Jeff Cukor, our Academy physician. We also had to say good bye to one cadet that was injured ashore in San Juan, and needed more specialized treatment than we could offer. And today Father Jim Houston joins us again. Jim will provide spiritual support for our cadets and crew until Aruba.