Field work on Helmer Hanssen

Hi guys!
Last week the Polar Ocean and Climate Course went on field work on the R/V Helmer Hanssen for 7 days. We were all pretty excited and a bit nervous too as we were told that at least half the course would get seasick. However, turns out that we were extremely lucky and the weather was perfect all the way through the excursion.




For 7 days, we had to work separated in day and night shifts and lucky as I am I was in the night shift from 2AM - 8AM and 2PM to 8PM. No wonder that all our sleeping patterns was outrageous after a week. When we were on duty we either had to be in the instruments room in charge of the CTD or be downstairs taking salinity and oxygen samples. After a short introduction, we were left alone in front of 5 screens in charge of this ridiculously expensive equipment. It took a while to get comfortable in our position. However, during the night shift taking 1 sample an hour can be rather boring and its challenging not to fall asleep especially wearing warm comfortable regatta suits. 





Since food is very important on board to keep us and the crew happy at every point during the day, there were biscuits, bread and cereal available 24/7. We all left the boat with a few kilos more, as we had 2 different warm meals for lunch and dinner with dessert every day. Additionally, to the warm meals there was cake available at 10AM and 5PM. And how can someone say no to cake?! Right at the first day the cook was making the rules clear. You had 30min to eat and it wasn't a restaurant! The 30min time limit was giving the meals another dimension. 2 burgers, fries and salad plus dessert in 30 min is a challenge but the food was way too good to even consider eating less. However, after 28min the cook was flushing with the lights yelling: 'Times up!!' and then slamming the door to the kitchen behind her after exactly 30min. 
The bridge and out at the front of the boat was the favourite spot of almost everyone. You could sit on sofas on the bridge watch out for any wildlife. Already on out first day we saw some beluga whales in the distance. Over the time of the week we could spot fin whales, minky whales, some dolphins and humpback whales (I'm still super disappointed I missed the humpback whale!!). 







All in all, it was a great experience to be on a research vessel for so long and I would definitely do it again if I get the chance to. 






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