The End of the Line

We did it! (fire confetti cannon) The Ronald H. Brown and all of its crew and scientists have made it to the end of the P16N line. The line ends at 56.44N 153.342W, just a couple of miles south of Kodiak, Alaska. All of the scientists are thrilled to have accomplished this goal. We have sampled 76 stations and take up over 20064L (5300 gallons) of water to sample from the ocean at depths of up to 5900m (19357ft). We have battled strong winds, heavy rain, thick fog, exhaustion and cold in order to analyze the chemical and physical properties of the ocean... and it has all been worth it. The data we have collected in the last 4 weeks will be used by hundreds of scientists from around the world to better understand our oceans and how they are changing. And I can not be more proud to be a part of such an endeavor. I have gotten a chance to work with an amazing group of individuals, all of whom excel in their fields. I have gotten to spend 4 weeks out on the open ocean and see some amazing things. And the best part is, ITS NOT OVER YET!

(Most of) The terrific science crew from P16N leg 2

Yes thats right, completing the P16N line was the primary objective of this cruise, but we have another week and a half before we are due in Seattle. We are now going to begin our occupation of the P17 line that crosses the Gulf of Alaska. This track hasn't been sampled in 20 years and so it will be fascinating to see how things have changed. With any luck, we will be able to complete the 16 stations of this line and get back to Seattle without any trouble. Everyone aboard the cruise is now a veteran and we are running like a well oiled machine (which is ironic because the ship is constantly leaking oil). I am looking forward to this last week on the Brown and to getting back to dry land. The push to the end has just begin.

Just another sunset