El Proyecto

Farewell Costa Rica

2008-04-24T18:40:00.000-07:00

I’m sitting in my hotel room as the last remaining representative of our group in Costa Rica. Even the Langseth set sail this morning and I just saw the agent head to the airport. The last week I’ve been traveling around Costa Rica with a few of the Wyoming students before they left and afterward by myself. The trip included beaches, a flat tire, Arenal, a guy that drove his car in a river, and the Smashing Pumpkins. It was a nice time to reflect on our successful project and enjoy Costa Rica. I fly back to Denver tomorrow morning after 80 days and this entry marks the end of elproyectoblog.

Until the next proyecto,
Matt

Final Week in Costa Rica

2008-04-24T17:19:00.000-07:00

Jake the friendly lion

2008-04-17T09:17:00.001-07:00

What it feels like to be back on land

2008-04-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

At the dock in Puerto Caldera

2008-04-17T09:13:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 30

2008-04-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

We made it to port in the afternoon and transfered equipment at dock before putting down anchor in the harbor. We took a water taxi in to Puntarrenas and enjoyed the freedom of being back on land for a few hours before taking a water taxi back to the ship. We'll be heading to San Jose today to begin our travels around Costa Rica. Today is the last day we'll be on the New Horizon.

Land Ho!

2008-04-16T04:35:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 29

2008-04-16T04:28:00.000-07:00

We're now outside Puerto Caldera waiting to head to dock and transfer equipment. The exact dock time and plans will unfold with time, but it's safe to say we have limited time left onboard the New Horizon.

Bringing the CTD sensor back on deck

2008-04-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

CTD sensor in the water at sunrise

2008-04-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 28

2008-04-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

We deployed the CTD sensor throughout the night and we only have a few more deployments left to do. This morning Nik and I watched the sunrise and the surprisingly large swells and realized that it was one of our last mornings onboard the New Horizon. The end of the cruise sneaked up on us and as Nik puts it "my heart will ache for the deliciously sweet seas."

Last OBS recovery

2008-04-14T06:54:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 27

2008-04-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

We finished our last OBS recovery last night after losing one to the ocean. It was the end of many deployments and recoveries spread out over many nautical miles. We're going to try one last time to recover an OBS we left behind a while back before we finish science ops with deployments of the CTD sensor.

Most OBSs back on deck

2008-04-13T10:34:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 26

2008-04-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

We've been doing OBS recoveries throughout the night and we only have 6 left to recover. Afterwards we plan to deploy the conductivity, temperature, depth (CTD) sensor in 10 spots to finalize the cruise. Besides channel fever, everyone is doing well.

We think these are dinoflagellates

2008-04-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 25

2008-04-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Aside from being my 29th birthday, today has been a pretty standard day. We've been recovering OBSs and we had a long transit where we watched a movie about Jessie James. It was nice to watch another sunrise over the sea and we're making good progress on our final recoveries.

The Wyoming group

2008-04-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 24

2008-04-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

We did a few OBS recoveries early on watch and now we're waiting for the Langseth to shoot to other instruments. We expect to resume recoveries at 18:00. We been passing the time since about 3:00 and watched the movie King Arthur.

Langseth in the distance

2008-04-10T10:21:00.003-07:00

Trish talking to the Langseth

2008-04-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 23

2008-04-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

Another night of waiting with a few CTDs to keep things interesting. We just picked up a WHOI OBS to start off our final round of OBS recoveries before we head to port in a week or so. We saw the Langseth off our starboard side this morning and talked with them over the radio to discuss recovery plans.

New Horizon Day 22

2008-04-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

We made it through another night after passing though a thunderstorm and entering choppy seas. We entertained ourselves watching the movie Invasion and we've planning of starting another round of recoveries to finish up the watch.

Lightning storm

2008-04-08T06:22:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 21

2008-04-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

We started the watch with an OBS recovery and then started heading to a site to deploy the CTD. To pass the time we watched the movie Phone Booth watched a storm get closer.

Langseth on the horizon

2008-04-07T09:01:00.001-07:00

Nik working the sextant

2008-04-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Me driving

2008-04-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Eric teaching us to drive the ship

2008-04-07T07:46:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 20

2008-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

We've spent the watch waiting for the Langseth to finish shooting to line ANE so we can begin more OBS recoveries. To pass the time we watched the movie Casino and learned to drive the ship.

Paul in the morning

2008-04-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

Me at sunrise

2008-04-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Sunrise

2008-04-06T08:10:00.004-07:00

New Horizon Day 19

2008-04-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

We've picked up the first 12 instruments on SERP and now we're headed out line ANE for some more recoveries. We've had a fun watch today and the days seem to pass by fast.

New Horizon Day 18

2008-04-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

We had a steady day of OBS recoveries along line SERP. Between recoveries Nik and I finished the third season of Entourage and started discussing our plans for our post-cruise adventure in Costa Rica.

Safety meeting

2008-04-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 17

2008-04-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

During watch we've been scanning for a missing OBS and watching episodes of Entourage. The Langseth picked up a signal from the OBS yesterday and we're doing our best to track it down.

Nik and his coffee

2008-04-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 16

2008-04-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

We've had a relaxed watch mostly in transit now that we finished OBS deployments. As entertainment, Nik decided to drink a cup of coffee every hour of the watch. By sunrise he could see through time.

The bridge

2008-04-02T05:47:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 15

2008-04-02T05:14:00.000-07:00

We're now into our last line of OBS deployments offshore Nicaragua and soon we'll begin our final recoveries of the project. I've been told that if our lives at sea were a movie it would be called "Part 4: The Bourne Redundancy."

5-6 ft seas and 20 knot winds

2008-04-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 14

2008-04-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

We've been deploying OBSs and by now we have the routine down. The seas are choppy now that we're offshore Nicaragua and we keep hoping a wave will crash on deck.

OBS at sunrise

2008-03-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Before and after 4450 m down

2008-03-31T11:29:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 13

2008-03-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

We've been deploying OBSs along the SERP line after two successful acoustic release tests. The highlight of the day was when we shrunk 2 styrofoam instant noodles cups by sending them down to 4450 m during an acoustic release test.

Water Spout

2008-03-30T07:43:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 12

2008-03-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

We're heading out to deeper waters to do some more OBS deployments. Early this morning we saw a cool water spout not far from the ship.

Bacon

2008-03-29T06:42:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 11

2008-03-29T06:40:00.001-07:00

We've been steadily picking up OBSs along line 1W. Meanwhile, I've seen more sunrises and eaten more bacon than I have in a long time.

New Horizon axe at sunrise

2008-03-28T06:51:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 10

2008-03-28T06:47:00.000-07:00

We've been picking up OBSs without trouble since yesterday's loss. To help pass the time between sites we took some photos with an axe.

D36 Haiku by Nik- Come back to us D36

2008-03-28T00:04:00.001-07:00

D three six answer ...

I don't want to get up guys.

Come back to us please.

Ode to D36- by Nik

2008-03-27T23:56:00.000-07:00

Oh D36, you crazy OBS

What are you doing causing us stress?

Why do you like it on the sea floor?

You must love those sexy mermaids from sailor lore.

New Horizon Day 9

2008-03-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

We had to leave a WHOI OBS behind on line CR-SERP because it never responded to communication. We're steaming to the Cocos line to pick up Scripts instruments and we will complete the WHOI recoveries on line CR-SERP during tomorrow's night watch. We're about to have a safety drill to remind us to look out for stowaways. We've been told this is more common that you'd think.

sweet cocoa butter

2008-03-27T00:47:00.000-07:00

Waiting for an OBS to rise

2008-03-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 8

2008-03-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

After staying awake watching movies all night we got the go ahead in the morning to begin recovery along line CR-SERP. Things have been going smoothly and we're starting to get in the groove of our schedules and life onboard the New Horizon.

New Horizon Day 7

2008-03-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

We recovered OBSs on the Osa line and did some CTD deployments along the Quepos line. After we finished a few more CTD deployments we'll be off for around 24 hours while the Langseth shoots to line CR-Serp. We're already planning the movies we want to watch next shift.

Trish and the sunset

2008-03-25T01:00:00.001-07:00

New Horizon Day 6

2008-03-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

We watched a bunch of movies including American Ganster, Casino Royale and Mr. Woodcock while waiting for the Langseth to shoot the Osa line. We even threw in a few Family Guy episodes. It was a nice break from the routine until we go pick up instruments on our next shift.

New Horizon Day 5

2008-03-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

We finished our first round of OBS deployments and threw in a few CTD deployments along line 1W. We get to watch movies for our next shift while we wait for the Langseth to shot the Osa line before we begin recovery and redeployment in the second round.

Early morning OBS deployment

2008-03-23T05:15:00.001-07:00

Yes, we have a Coke machine

2008-03-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 4

2008-03-22T22:42:00.001-07:00

We've been dropping OBSs throughout the day and we're now making our way down line 1W. As Nik puts it, things are going "as smooth as cocoa butter."

No beer and no TV make Nik go crazy

2008-03-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 3

2008-03-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

We finished the Osa line and we are about to deploy the 9th instrument on line CR-Serp. Operations have run smoothly and we seem to be making good time. The New Horizon is a good ship with nice perks like having the mess next to the main lab. I'm enjoying my quiet nighttime watch with Nik where we get breakfast and a beautiful sunrise daily.

Jake's new look

2008-03-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

Acoustic release test recovery

2008-03-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 2

2008-03-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

We finished 4 acoustic release tests and we're leaving the MAT to begin deployments along the Osa line. We're expected to arrive arround midnight and Nick and I are ready for a full night of deployments. Today the ship's power cut out in a very "Life Acquatic" moment, but it wasn't long until power came back online. Another highlight of the day was Jake's new look. He daringly chose to walk the fine line between biker badass and a member of the Village People. Very aware of the risk, Jake was careful not to be photographed in a hard hat.

New Horizon

2008-03-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

Unloading equipment

2008-03-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

New Horizon Day 1

2008-03-20T04:59:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Caldera as planned around 06:00 and waited to dock to begin unloading equipment. After unloading we waited for the New Horizon to exchange places with the Langseth at dock. Around 5:00 we left the dock with the equipment onboard the the New Horizon and went to Puntarrenas to wait for Nick and Jake. After completing the team we began the steam to the MAT (Middle America Trench) to conduct tests of the OBS release mechanisms.

Canal Transit Day 8

2008-03-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Today was another day of transit to Caldera and we've slowed down a few knots to arrive around 06:00 tomorrow morning. We're hoping to begin moving equipment right away and everyone is planning to go to bed a bit earlier today to prepare for a busy day tomorrow. Different groups of people will be departing and arriving in Caldera tomorrow to go their separate ways and for a few of us tomorrow night will end onboard the New Horizon.

Here's were we are now

2008-03-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

Canal Transit Day 7

2008-03-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

Today was a quiet day as we sped through the water around 11 knots toward Puerto Caldera. The word is that we'll arrive at 01:04 on Wednesday morning. I spent the day working on a QC analysis of the gyro data and processing seismic data as we make our way back to Costa Rica. I expect the New Horizon to we waiting for us in Caldera before we transfer equipment and begin our OBS deployments in the Pacific.

Going through a lock

2008-03-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

Mulas

2008-03-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Going through the Canal

2008-03-17T02:47:00.000-07:00

The former R/V Vema (right) in Colon

2008-03-17T02:45:00.000-07:00

Lisa making a cake for Ben's b-day

2008-03-17T02:38:00.000-07:00

Canal Transit Day 6

2008-03-17T02:25:00.000-07:00

We spent most of the daytime on the ship anchored offshore Colon and Lisa made a delicious cake for Ben's birthday. Around 18:00 we left Colon and headed into the Canal. We passed through the entire Canal without waiting in Lake Gatun and left the Canal arround 4:00. We're now on our way up to Caldera and we're ready to get to work in the Pacific.

Canal Transit Day 5

2008-03-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

We spent the day anchored offshore while we read books, watched movies and chatted with the crew. We'll be heading up to Lake Gatun at 16:00 on Sunday, March 16, and we'll be spending the night on the lake to wait for a daytime passage through the final locks. We're told we will be out of the Canal on Monday and on our way to Caldera.

James Bond in Colon

2008-03-15T10:51:00.001-07:00

Canal Transit Day 4

2008-03-15T09:08:00.001-07:00

A pilot got onboard the Langseth to guide our passage through the canal and decided that the ship was too wide for a nighttime transit through the canal. So, we anchored offshore waiting in line for a daytime passage though the canal. We've been told that we will leave on Sunday, March 16th, up to Lake Gatun where we will probably wait some more. For those involved in meeting us in Caldera, we don't know exactly when we will arrive. We spent the day anchored offshore the Hotel Washington and in the afternoon a movie crew came out to film the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, not far from our ship. It was fun to watch James Bond doing his fight scenes as he sped through the water. We were hoping for a nice explosion, but it never happened. The whole town is excited to have James Bond around even though the movie will say the scenes take place in Bolivia. After floating in the water all day and watching James Bond, we got shore leave and a water taxi took us in to port Cristobal for a few hours.

Canal Transit Day 3

2008-03-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

We awoke to the sweltering heat and ventured out into the city around noon with our taxi driver, and new friend, Luis. We explored the Zona Libre and got a nice meal at Cafe Iguana. Afterwards, a lady at a souvenir shop gave me some free souvenirs of Panama including a large antique photo of the canal. She was delighted to hear that my parents used to live in Colon and I was certainly proud to tell her about it. Luis made a point to take us up to the old Fort Gulick and as we approached the School of the Americas he turned and quietly commented, "te sientes el frio .... el terror?" We both enjoyed discussing all the changes that have happened over time. The beautiful marble floors of the School of the Americas are now part a 5 star hotel ... one with quite a history. On the drive back to the ship Luis gave me a CD of traditional Panamanian music that he wanted me to share with my Dad, and as we left and said goodbye, he gave me a brand new souvenir hat of Panama that he wanted me to have. Too bad I left my camera on the ship and didn't get any pictures of Fort Gulick, next time Dad. We'll be leaving the dock soon and making our way up to Lake Gatun in a few hours.

Hotel Washington

2008-03-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

Canal Transit Day 2

2008-03-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Today we arrived in Colon arround 2 pm and anchored offshore with about 50 other ships before heading to port arround 1 am. We got shore leave arround 2 am but nobody could muster the strength and courage for a late night out on the town. It was nice to see Colon again and its a powerful feeling to be a part of so much activity going on around us in such a historic place.

This is where we are right now

2008-03-12T08:02:00.001-07:00

Canal transit day 1

2008-03-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

We left Limon arround 16:00 after picking up supplies at dock and a quick walk around town. The transit to colon is 21 hours and we'll be porting for 12 hours to wait for our night time passage through the canal. That's just enough time to check out the second largest free trade zone in the world, get some bootleg music, and enjoy a nice meal.

Off to Colon

2008-03-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

At Port in Limon

2008-03-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Port day 1 & 2

2008-03-11T09:26:00.000-07:00

We quickly made our way to Puerto Viejo from Limon and took refuge at a hippie sanctuary know as Rocket J's. After a late night out dancing and a renewed apriciation for reggae music, we all grabbed a hammock, bed, or floor wherever we could find one. The next morning we stumbled out of bed and continued our exploration of Viejo on scooter. As we waited for the bus back to Limon, the setting sun cast a peaceful glow over a breathtaking view of the beach. Now, I'm back on the ship thinking of my amigos, old and new, sprawled out on a hammock somewhere wondering how life got so good.

The Life Seismic Official Photo

2008-03-08T17:21:00.001-08:00

Sea Day 21

2008-03-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Come to find out we are actually porting in Limon tomorrow morning. We're going to recover the remaining 3 OBSs left and then transit to port. People are going their separate ways and I'm planning to head south to Puerto Viejo for the night with the Wyoming students and Lance. Lisa and I are returning the next day to head through the canal while the others are going to drive across the isthmus of Costa Rica. This time tomorrow we'll be back on land and probably sun burnt.

Sea Day 20

2008-03-07T17:54:00.000-08:00

We've been picking up OBSs all day and processing data on the back burner. We found out today that we are porting in Limon on March 10th to drop off people before we head through the Canal and begin our work in the Pacific.

Octopus

2008-03-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

Sea Boogers

2008-03-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

Sea Day 19

2008-03-06T17:31:00.000-08:00

We've been picking up OBS from the bottom of the ocean and they've brought up interesting sea creatures including a crab, an octopus, cool shells and "sea boogers." The sea stinks over these shallow water and I still smell like Long John Silver's after working on deck earlier today.

Sea Day 18

2008-03-06T17:26:00.001-08:00

We continued to shoot to OBSs without the streamer. Watch standers had a limited amount of tasks during watches and they resorted to abnormal behavior to pass the time. Some entertained themselves making strange noises, while others wrapped wire using a drill. Apparently quoting movies and Family Guy all day has started to loose it's ability to help pass the time.