Introducing Melissa Miller

Melissa Miller will be writing from onboard the R/V Atlantis as the ship transits from San Diego, California to Kodiak, Alaska.

;

Hello, I’m Melissa Miller writing from onboard the R/V Atlantis as the ship transits from San Diego, California to Kodiak, Alaska. After a few years away from at-sea life and deploying floats, I’m back for more! The last time I deployed biogeochemical floats was on the Japanese ship Mirai for the SOCCOM program.

Melissa on the dock during Atlantis loading

Melissa on the dock during R/V Atlantis loading

Guard dog Wharf keeps an eye on the Atlantis, and scares birds away

Guard dog Wharf keeps an eye on the R/V Atlantis, and scares birds away

The ship’s welcome board

This trip is very different so far. I am the only scientist onboard! The main lab is a ghost town! The usual complement of crew is here of course, the ship still needs to drive, run, and eat even without scientists doing their thing. They’re also doing a lot of ship maintenance like painting, removing rust, and getting things organized. There are also three Alvin technicians getting the submersible ready for the upcoming cruise in the Aleutian Islands which, in contrast, will be very busy and crowded.

A completely empty main lab

Even just leaving San Diego was a different experience. It’s my home port and I don’t come and go from there a lot (at least by ship!). Atlantis was docked at the Scripps port in Point Loma and there was a lot going on during the load, including some news teams interviewing scientists who will be onboard after me diving in the famous Alvin submersible.

We got underway early in the morning, with a pilot onboard to take the ship safely out of port. SIO ships don’t have to go through this step since they come and go so often, so it was neat to see the little boat bring the pilot onboard and then take him off again.

The pilot boat departing Atlantis after getting us safely out of port

NOAA Floats →