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Current Cruise: TC-01-05 Hawaiian Monk Seal
Research Camp Supply May 7 - May 22, 2001
The NOAA Ship TOWNSEND CROMWELL is wrapping up another cruise. We have
finished our field work and are headed back to Honolulu. During this cruise we have had the pleasure of having a
participant from NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program on board, Amy Moreland. Ms. Moreland is a third grade teacher from
Broadous Elementary School in Pacoima, California. In this web update Ms. Moreland shares her thoughts and
experiences from over 2 weeks out at sea on the TOWNSEND CROMWELL.
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From Amy Moreland.....
I found out about the Teacher At Sea program through my sister Erin, one of the
NOAA scientists on Lisianski Island. I couldn't believe that I might actually get the opportunity to see all of the
wildlife she had told me about in their natural environment. Before I knew it I was on a plane bound for Honolulu,
with plenty of seasickness patches and 3 sets of quarantine clothes. From the moment I set foot on the ship
everyone has been wonderful to me. I was assigned a room with 3 female scientists who quickly became new friends. I
spent most of the first week of the cruise with the scientists, asking them every question I could think of about
field camp, Hawaiian Monk Seals, sea turtles, sharks, other fish, and all of the different species of birds we
encountered.
Getting the scientists from the ship to their assigned island homes was no small task.
That's' where teamwork really counted. The crew members of the Townsend Cromwell are great at this. They work
together with the scientists like a
well-oiled machine. Before I knew what was happening small boats were being
lifted with cranes and placed in the water alongside the ship. The scariest part of the off loading was climbing
down a rope ladder into the small boats. With the crew's encouragement and support I've gotten into and out
of the small boats several times without a problem.
Once on the islands I helped the scientists and crew
unload the supplies. The scientists always found time to show me around the islands so that I could document the
wildlife and scenery on video and with photos to share with my students and fellow teachers. Unfortunately, there
was debris (trash) on every
island we visited. This debris is carried by the currents from around the Pacific
Ocean and washes up on these remote islands. Oddly, the animals use the very netting and trash that can kill them
in the water as bedding on the island. One of the highlights of this trip was visiting Laysan Island. Several
of the scientists took me snorkeling on a reef where gray reef sharks are always present. It's thought that they
use the protected reef to raise their young. Observing the beautiful creatures in their natural habitat was
spectacular. Another high point was when I surprised my sister on Lisianski Island. She had no idea I was
coming and was so excited when she saw me that she tackled me off of the side of the boat into the water.
 As I write this we are on our way back to Honolulu and all of the scientists
have been dropped off at their field camp locations. I've been able to spend time with the ship's crew who have
given me a crash course in oceanography and shown me the finer points of ocean fishing. This has been a very
special experience for me that I hope I'm able to share with many students and colleagues.
- Amy Moreland,
Teacher At Sea
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For more information about the Teacher At Sea Program, check out the NOAA
Teacher At Sea web page at www.tas.noaa.gov.
As we head back to Honolulu are thoughts turn to our next
cruise. We will be off the Kona Coast of the island of Hawaii, studying larval swordfish and other plankton which
live in the surface layer of the water. Check back for our next update.
Update from
5/20/01
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