Topside
Looking over the deck, the surface of the ocean is almost glassy today. The sea has been incredibly calm, which is not typical.
Figure 1: The view from the decks of the Atlantis.
The water is calm with Kodiak Island in the distance.Typically the seas in the Gulf of Alaska are much rougher. All the equipment on the ground is secured with cord lines to keep it from moving around when the ship rolls or pitches. Moving equipment is heavy and dangerous and being on the fantail requires vigilance like a construction zone.
Equipment on the deck is secured with rope or chain. Everything carried by the ship's several winches is also secured in this way. All mariners know how to make special knots for different purposes, especially ones that do not slip when you pull on them.
Box cores
While Dr. Lonsdale and Christina are down below for the day, the rest of us are going to get organized and settle into the different labs.
 Looking at all the supplies in the scientific storeroom and Dr. Levin's inventory list, it must have taken her a lot of time and planning to get it all together. When you are out at sea, you cannot just run out to buy something you have forgotten to bring along.
Figure 2: Cruise participants work on assembling box corers.
The rest of the day, Dr. Levin asked us to help unpack, assemble, and secure scientific equipment. She's going to show us how to assemble box corers in preparation for her part of the cruise, three days from now.
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A C T I V I T I E S
• Activity 3.3a
Bowline knot
Learn how to tie a bowline knot. Go to the following links:
Rope Knot
Boating Knots
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