50N, 020W, about 300nm east of the Mid Atlatnic Ridge. Wind 37knots, Water temp 13.2C, air 12C.
We are on 25 hour days as we head through the time zones, so an extra hour in bed (the challenge is being able to stay in bed without falling out). Big swell today, 4 -5m and strong gales which weren't really forecast. The day started at 5am - task one was to haul in the hydrophone so as not to lose it in the building swell. At first light, I spotted a group of common dolphins bow-riding which I thought was a good sign for the day... but that was it! Emily had some kittiwakes passing at speed but the constant nose-diving of the ship into deep troughs and the spin drift made viewing conditions very tricky for spotting birds or cetaceans. Given that a cetacean survey was not possible, I indulged in some statistical analysis for the day.
The weather charts don't look to good for the coming days either, but we are hopeful that a brief respite in the weather will coincide with our passage over the Faraday Seamount and perhaps the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. For now the hydrophone remains dry, but hopefully we'll give it a good soaking tomorrow. I'll post some pictures of the rough seas tomorrow. Oíche mhaith.
No comments:
Post a Comment