Dutch Harbor, Aug. 27, 2017 —
Welcome back readers! After a brief stop in Dutch Harbor, AK, to collect our new science party, HEALY is headed back north to the Arctic to conduct its second science mission, AWS 1702. This NOAA sponsored project seeks to study biological hotspots along the continental shelf in the Arctic and along the coast of Alaska. In addition to CTD casts to collect physiological data throughout the water column, HEALY will deploy mesh nets to gather small organisms from the water, and equipment to collect samples from the ocean floor. We will also deploy data gathering buoys and support marine mammal and sea-bird observations. Once HEALY enters the Arctic, we will begin our busy schedule of 24-hour science operations.
Since our last blog, HEALY has been fortunate enough to have some unique opportunities. While in route to Dutch Harbor, we embarked Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Paul Zukunft. Senator Sullivan and ADM Zukunft flew in on an Air Station Kodiak HH-65, and enjoyed lunch and a tour of HEALY’s operations, engineering, and science spaces.
Following their departure, several HEALY crewmembers tried their hand at treasure hunting, combing a nearby beach in search of hand-blown glass fishing net floats. Although they did not find the large cache they were looking for, a handful were found. A big thank you to the deck and small-boat crew who made this possible!
Once in Dutch Harbor, many crewmembers flocked to the Grand Aleutian Hotel for an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, only available on Wednesday night. It was nearly an all-hands gathering as HEALY’s crew joined together to devour the finest seafood Dutch Harbor had to offer. On the following days, most of the crew spent daylight enjoying the sunny weather by hiking or running up nearby mountains. At night, many gathered again on the beach for a bonfire.
Stay tuned for another update on HEALY’s Arctic West Summer 2017 mission next week!
Very respectfully,
ENS Samuel Wood
USCGC HEALY (WAGB 20)
Public Affairs Officer
For more information about CGC HEALY, please visit:
http://www.icefloe.net