FTV 1/19/213 Exploring the Tools of an Oceanographer

On day two of Marine Safety and Environmental Protection classes, the freshmen had the opportunity to move about the ship to perform a Safety Audit. An audit is like an inspection; everyone wants to pass an inspection, especially when the safety of everyone on board is at stake.

The purpose of doing a safety audit is to make sure that the people working on  the ship are practicing safety. This means that there should be no safety hazards; or if there are, they should be clearly marked. Well, the T.S. Kennedy passed her safety audit! Some of the things that the freshmen did have to touch upon were other cadets performing maintenance tasks not quite up to par with their personal protective equipment. I must have said this about one hundred times, but safety comes first! You always need to protect yourself. Everyone on board has to be strict with themselves and the people around them to ensure that safety is constantly at the top of their list.

Cadets launch an XBT

Another project the freshmen got to participate in was the release of the XBT or Expendable Bathymetric Thermometer. This device measures ocean temperature and depth. This was another excellent way to use hands on learning outside on the deck of the fantail (stern of the ship). It's always more fun and interesting to learn in an outside environment, especially with a brand new surrounding such as the open ocean. Hopefully tomorrow I can take part in the tow of the plankton nets! Plankton can be either plant (phytoplankton) or animals (zooplankton). What makes them "plankton" is the fact that they are weak to non-swimming organisms. They are unable to swim against any current, and normally just suspend themselves in the ocean just below the surface. Pictures of this event to come soon!

Scientists who study the ocean are called oceanographers

Click here to find out more about Expendable Bathymetric Thermometer.

Understand why Oceanographers think its important to study the Ocean.

This COOL classroom activity will explore Oceanography through time. Here is the Student Page .

Find out about the technology used to study the oceans.