TC-99-07 Lobster Assessment

TC-99-07 Lobster Assessment
June 6-July 4, 1999

     June 9, 1999    The TOWNSEND CROMWELL departed Honolulu on June 6, after having loaded 9000 gallons of fuel, food to feed 27 people for 30 days and other supplies. We also have 204 lobster traps to sample the lobster population on Necker and Maro Reefs. In addition, we have numerous pallet tubs loaded with supplies for the scientists on Tern Island (French Frigate Shoals).
     We departed from Honolulu at 6:00 PM under breezy conditions and headed NW toward Necker Island's Reef (400 nautical miles). By early morning on the following day, as the island of Kauai faded behind us, the winds abated and we have been in moderate, following seas for the remainder of the day. As this was the first day out, we staged fire and abandon ship drills to introduce our Teachers at Sea passengers ( upper right) to emergency procedures and to keep the crew familiar with the safety equipment.
     At 6:00 P.M., we performed a CTD cast (left) to a depth of 500 meters to measure the chemical and physical conditions of the water. The operation only took about an hour, then we continued on toward Necker Island Reef.
Yesterdays cruise write-ups for TC-99-07