Log book from the open sea…

Le %s

“…Right, here we are, at the roots of science knowledge! The “whale” (Editor’s Note: nickname given by Alain to the schooner) is “set” offshore from the Oman coastline in the International waters, engine turned off, to take all the samples and measurements necessary. All day long, sampling looks like a ballet of activities from all the technical scientific hardware; be they small, medium or large nets to hunt the various planktons. The “rosette” is dunk, once pulled back aboard the nets deliver the catch of the day to the scientists who look so serious in their knowledge of what is happening! Labelling, packaging, freezing, numerous procedures are overtaking the back of the “whale”. Heat makes life difficult onboard. Having a shower is a short lived pleasure that one cannot abuse. Jérôme, the cameraman, is gone to shoot some images at sea. His refreshed appearance, once back, made one think that this was a great alibi for a stolen dip. Our responsibility does not allow us to do that as we constantly changing tacks, dunking…Quick lunch on the go…All this goes on until midnight. Once on watch duty, I keep an eye on the engine, stop one of the buoys filled with electronic components drifting away… Life onboard is settling in for science sake. See you tomorrow”.