Next Page   Previous Page   First Page

After days of transit, we have finally reached our first data station. We are hundreds of miles from land in the open sea. The water is deep and clear here. It is the most beautiful blue you can imagine!

This spot looks exactly the same as any other but we know we are in the right location because we use satellite navigation to determine our position in space and time. When collecting data, it is very important to know exactly when and where the data were collected. Data collected without this information can not be used in any of our work. So accurate navigation is very important to the success of our cruise.

(naviguesser.gif)

While collecting data, the oceanographers calculate the ship's location and record this information and the time continuously in the survey log. Computers on board are also linked into the navigational equipment and are producing a file that will be used to plot all of the ship's movements throughout the cruise. When not collecting data, all ship's navigation is done by the Bridge.

Glossary Bibliography  References  Coloring Book  Oceanographic Sites