It takes a lot of highly skilled people to pull off a successful research cruise. With 24-hours of ROV diving, instrument deployments and recoveries, mapping, and water sampling, everyone listed below was essential to accomplish our objectives In alphabetical order...
Raymond Bannister Affiliation: Institute of Marine Research, Norway Profile coming soon!
Barry Brake Affiliation: CSSF Position: IT and Navigation What is your interest in the cruise? Exploration, new experiences. What did you do on the cruise? Take care of the navigation and any IT issues that came up. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Meeting and working with new people. What was a challenge of the trip? Short turn-around times between ROV dives.
Anna Bramucci Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: Graduate Student What is your interest in the cruise? I am interested in how bacteria turn over and recycle nutrients in marine ecosystems. Sponges are specialized filter feeders that remove up to 95% of bacteria from the water column. Each sponge in the Strait of Georgia filters 9,000 liters of water per day per osculum. So I would say I am interested in how these sponge reefs change the marine ecosystem by removing so many microorganisms from the water column. What did you do on the cruise? I was mainly responsible for sampling the water from the SIP samplers during the day shift of the cruise. I was in charge of processing samples for bacterial counts using microscopy and flow cytometry (both of which will be done later off the ship). I was also processing nutrient and dissolved organic carbon samples to see what dissolved nutrients are leaving the sponge osculum (in the pee!) and what dissolved nutrients are in the surrounding water that might be utilized by bacteria in the water column. The last water sample of importance was filtering the water around the sponges to see what consortia of bacteria the sponges might be consuming as they filter the overlying water column. It will be interesting to compare the number of bacteria in these water fractions to the bacteria still present in the exhalent that the sponges are releasing (remember sponges can consume up to 90% of what they filter from the water column...so this filter might not have very many bacteria present at all!). Everything was interesting on the cruise, water sampling was fun and the challenge was to do everything as carefully and quickly as possible so that the samples were processed without sitting around too long. My favorite job on the cruise was likely taking pictures of the ROV sampling sponges and SIPs. It is always amazing watching two huge robot arms manipulate delicate machinery and place small tubes into small delicate oscula...it really is amazing what scientists and engineers can do together! What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? I was looking forward to seeing the underwater SIP samplers in action. These SIP samplers were designed by one of Dr. Ley's collaborators and they are made up of two chambers (which are vacuum tight chambers that are sent down to the bottom of the ocean). Then the robot ROV positions the small intake valves of the SIP so that one of them is inserted into a sponge osculum. I was very excited to see this take place. It sounds like a complicated procedure (and it is!) a lot can go wrong. But with the patience of our ROV operators we managed to successfully get water samples from most of the SIPs we deployed on the trip! It was fantastic to watch and it will be even more fun to see the worked up results from all of these water samples! What was a challenge of the trip? I think the main challenge with this field trip was the unavoidable weather challenge. It seemed like the storms on the coast had other ideas about what area the Tully should be visiting...and for a few days it seemed like we spent most of our time running away from the weather. But even so while we were dodging the high winds we still managed to do instrument calibrations and sample sponge reefs up and down the coast. In fact because of the weather we were fortunate enough to visit not one sponge reef region but FOUR!
Josh Chernov Affiliation: CSSF Position: ROV Pilot What is your interest in the cruise? Sponges What did you do on the cruise? I worked on science tech for the ROV. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? "Hannasaurus Mike", the seal skeleton we found during the Tunnicliffe leg of the cruise in Douglas Channel. What was a challenge of the trip? Definitely the weather.
Jason Dunham Affiliation: Fisheries and Oceans Position: Biologist What is your interest in the cruise? To learn more about how sponge reef research is conducted in a field setting. What did you do on the cruise? Enter data into the IRLS...and eat. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Seeing ROPOS in action, working with keen, dedicated researchers, and terrific food. What was a challenge of the trip? Waking up at 10 AM after going to bed at 7:30 AM on the day of the crew change.
Dafne Eerkes-Medrano Affiliation: Marine Scotland Science Position: Zooplankton Ecologist What is your interest in the cruise? I've been very fortunate to work for Dr. Sally Leys in the past in various aspects of sponge biology and ecology so my interests are varied and Sally's enthusiasm is contagious. I joined the cruise as an exciting holiday opportunity and am very glad I did because it was a great opportunity to work on different sponge reefs from those I've previously experienced (those in the Strait of Georgia). What did you do on the cruise? All sorts of tasks! I mostly worked with the in-situ instruments to measure water flows, oxygen levels, and optical backscatter. This involved preparing the instruments for dives, retrieving their data, reprogramming them for next dives, and rebuilding them in different configurations where needed. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? It's hard to choose! Cruises with the Leys group are always so interesting because of the creativity involved in collecting rigorous data on sponges and their environment. The people in the group were fantastic and so were the ROPOS crew. Those were definite highlights as well as the amazing scenery above and below the water surface. What was a challenge of the trip? Saving enough stomach room for all the delicious meals and pastries!
Michael Hannaford Affiliation: CSSF Position: ROV Pilot & Technician What is your interest in the cruise? I always appreciate an opportunity to sail around the BC coast. I hadn’t worked with Sally or specifically with sponges before so it has been an enjoyable learning experience. What did you do on the cruise? I worked the night shift. As ROV crew we switch out between flying the sub, operating the manipulators, and maintaining the system on deck when it is not diving. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Personal highlight has to be the dinosaur skeleton I found with Verena Tunnicliffe (Hannasaurus Mike). It should be noted that some of the scientists have been referring to it as a Sea Lion. Other highlights were learning new work scopes since I had not done this particular work before, and meeting some new people on board. What was a challenge of the trip? As with any C.C.G.S. Tully cruise the challenge is not eating entirely too much food. Here, I have failed miserably as usual.
Amanda Kahn Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: Graduate Student What is your interest in the cruise? For my thesis I’ve studied the ecosystem functions of sponge reefs in the Strait of Georgia. The reefs in the north are bigger and have a third species thrown into the mix – Farrea occa – and I’m interested in how they compare with the Strait of Georgia reefs. What did you do on the cruise? I directed the dives during the night shift. I also programmed instruments, helped process data from the CTD, Vector, and Aquadopps, created maps, and jumped in where needed with water processing and whatever else needed doing. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? So many! Seeing Farrea occa in the reefs, working with the ROPOS crew, sunrises and sunsets at sea, and ship food! What was a challenge of the trip? Seasickness and transitioning to night shift. Also, shower curtains on ships – they always swing into the back of my legs.
Tristan Kivari Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: Graduate Student What is your interest in the cruise? My practical interest in the cruise was to gather physiological data on sponges for the building blocks of my thesis -- what they need to survive and in that process, how do they affect their environment. Less formally, the sponge reefs interested me because are an alien habitat that very few people get to see; it was a fantastic opportunity. What did you do on the cruise? I mostly did day shift water processing. Once water samples were brought on board, myself and several others needed to prepare the water for chemical analysis. Those chemicals/nutrients give valuable data for what the sponges need and what chemicals they eliminate as waste. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Seeing the deep ocean in real-time. Many of us have seen documentaries like Blue Planet (which are fantastic) but to be there when it's happening is a different experience. If you're a sports fan, it's similar to watching a game live versus a recording. Even if you don't know the final score it's just not the same. What was a challenge of the trip? Trying not to mess up. The data are hard to get so minimizing errors is crucial.
Kristen Kruper Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: recent graduate/volunteer What is your interest in the cruise? Get experience in deep-sea research and field research with ROVs, and to learn more about sponges with my fellow labmates. What did you do on the cruise? I assisted in processing water samples from the SIP samplers, logged in IRLS, took DSCs during ROV dives. What were some of your favorite non-science parts of the trip? Seeing how ROPOS is deployed and how it works, and meeting so many new people. Also, the experience on the ship – it’s pretty cool. What did you not enjoy as much on the trip? Eating too much food! It’s nonstop and free so it’s a double-edged sword.
Lauren Law Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: Graduate Student What is your interest in the cruise? To collect some data for my master’s thesis that will help me map spatial pattern and distribution of sponges in the Hecate Strait reefs. What did you do on the cruise? I helped enter data into IRLS and take photos of deep sea animals. What were some of your favorite non-science parts of the trip? Meeting wonderful people with different specialties including the ROPOS guys flying the ROV, other sponge scientists, and ship crew. What did you not enjoy as much on the trip? Transitioning to a night shift and eating too many sweets to keep myself up through the night.
Jon Lee Affiliation: CSSF Position: ROV Pilot/Electrical Technician What is your interest in the cruise? To have fun and fly the ROV. What did you do on the cruise? Assisted the scientists in acquiring excellent samples. Maintained the sub for maximum ‘up’ time. What were some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? The reefs are the highlight. What was a challenge of the trip? The weather was not cooperative.
Sally Leys Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: Chief scientist, planner, troubleshooter, morale booster, alternate plan maker, and orchestrator of achievements (or of none...but that cannot be!) What is your interest in the cruise? Well, clearly that we achieve our objectives, despite all hurdles, and that we have fun doing it. I'm particularly interested in seeing new/different sponge reefs, and in understanding how flow affects sponge pumping/filtration, and how glass sponges specially are adapted to these environments. We have much to learn from glass sponge reefs. I'm also heavily focused on getting data for two students whose theses will help DFO determine mechanisms of protection from sediment (or if that's an issue) and of monitoring the proposed MPAs. What did you do on the cruise? What didn't I do ;) ? I think I did everything including one tiny bout of logging on the great IRLS. On the cruise I planned day-to-day logistics, dive plans, instrument deployments, verified data that Evgeni so quickly analyzed to allow us to determine how to modify our deployments. I built equipment - that is mounted it on stakes so ROPOS could deploy it with minimum difficulty - and coordinated with other super capable people (Amanda and Dafne and Raymond) to ensure that all aspects of each instrument were fully checked off before deployment. I checked in with the hardworking water processing folk, and ensured they were 'ok', but largely they were managing competently. I discussed weather options with the navigators (Ray and Barry), distances and places we might dive, and worked through what would be an effective use of the night dive with the Night shift chief Amanda. I fixed specimens and froze a few specimens, and I gave a short 30 min talk to the crew of the Tully to explain what we were about. The most challenging task of all though was coming up with alternative plans to suit our weather windows and enable us to be 'ready' for a momentary dive into the reefs. The rest was really done by everyone else! What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Seeing Farrea - and yes it is a beautiful sponge, like a wedding veil: delicate, pale, white, and shrouding a bit of mystery! The weather - keeping us on our toes...but actually not upsetting anyone that much as far as I could see. The sunsets and watching ROPOS submerge or emerge in dawn or dusk, as a link to the depths. We send it on missions, and though we 'feel' like we're working underwater only ROPOS really experiences life down there. Great fun with the crew - crazy and wonderful senses of humour...from Newfoundland, to Australia, Norway and Scotland. What was a challenge of the trip? Weather! Leaking penetrator cables for the oxygen sensors! Figuring out flow for good calibrations of the sensors, and ....collecting small but useful pieces of Aphrocallistes oscula for RNA work!
Peter Lockhart Affiliation: CSSF Position: ROV pilot/Mechanical technician What is your interest in the cruise? I like to see new things, exploring. What did you do on the cruise? Fix things on the sub, and drive and operate ROPOS. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Doing the cliff dives was fun, trying to fly the sub in challenging situations. What was a challenge of the trip? The transition to night shift.
Evgeni Matveev Affiliation: University of Alberta Position: Research Assistant What is your interest in the cruise? Partly it was the excitement of living the Jacques Cousteau-style marine biologist dream of exploring rarely (if ever) seen underwater life. Additionally, as my summer was spent analyzing the data from last year’s cruise, participating in collecting this year’s data provided a great context for my work. What did you do on the cruise? My main tasks were handling the cleaning and recharging of SIP water samplers, and managing and analyzing the data we collected. We had to analyze the data almost immediately at times to determine whether our instruments were calibrated properly. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? It’s very exciting to see a region that very few people get to see in real life. It feels like exploring some unknown world, and in a way that’s exactly what it is. It’s also very fun to see the extent to which technology has enabled us to explore previously inaccessible places. What was a challenge of the trip? The seasickness got me one of the days, so that wasn’t too fun. Also, eating so much dinner that there was never room for dessert.
Peter Milne Affiliation: CSSF Position: ROV Pilot Profile coming soon...
Ray Morgan Affiliation: CSSF Position: Navigation and Imaging Technician Profile coming soon...
Clark Pennelly Affiliation: University of Alberta, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Position: Research assistant What is your interest in the cruise? Free “vacation” to somewhere interesting, and see interesting things in the ocean. Meeting new people and working with familiar faces. What did you do on the cruise? I was the master IRLS logger during the night shift, making sure the digital log was complete. I also took care of digital data copies. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Seeing some new animals and plants underwater. I also enjoyed seeing the Canadian coastline, the stars at night, and food whenever I wanted it. It was nice to go on another cruise with similar people. What was a challenge of the trip? Trying to come up with a digital logging scheme that would actually work well- it didn’t. But we fixed it so it would work better. It did. Also adjusting my sleep schedule to a night shift.
Keith Tamburri Affiliation: CSSF Position: ROPOS Expedition Leader What is your interest in the cruise? Further developing the understanding of the sponge reefs off of BC What did you do on the cruise? Getting everything together and on board, deciding what can go on the ROV and when, and how to deploy it efficiently with ROPOS. What are some highlights of the trip or things you looked forward to? Hannasaurus Mike and the vertical walls at Fish Bay with all the corals. Anywhere where there was a lot of biodiversity What was a challenge of the trip? Figuring out the weather – where and when to have the ship so that ROPOS could dive.