Reports from Jasmine
5/11/99 :
5/19/99 :
5/20/99 :
5/23/99 :
5/26/99
Sample Data
05/11/99 :
05/28/99
Jasmine Report 4
R/V Ron Brown
Indian Ocean/Bay of Bengal
C. Fairall
Hello again. Just to fill you in on things here. Monday was our rainiest
day yet (68 mm) and Tuesday was our least rain (15 mm) since Friday. However,
Tuesday was the windiest (average 25 kts with gusts to almost 40 kts). I think
the rain and storms are on the decline now, but it will probably take a day or
so to be sure. From the satellite pictures, it looks like the center of
convective activity is moving further north in the Bay. Right now we are
working in 10 ft waves and the ride is pretty bumpy when our course takes us
into them. Some people are having trouble sleeping because of the motion, but I
usually sleep well. It's like rocking in your crib. In the 5 days we have been
at the location of this star pattern, the ocean has cooled 0.7 C because of the
strong wind-induced evaporation and the clouds blocking the sun.
Tonight at 6 pm we will complete the star survey at
11 N, 88 W and start the
long journey back. We will set a course for 5 deg. South and 94 deg. W. It
will take us 4 days to get there; then we will turn to the west and head for
Darwin. That will take 8 more days. Our major data gathering activities will
cease when we reach -5, 94 so we will have about a week to process data and
compare notes, discuss what we have found, and write up some preliminary
reports.
Based on your last two messages, I will expect one more forecast. I will
send a last set of data back tomorrow night.
Regards, CF
Answers to your questions:
Is it dangerous to be in a monsoon?
With reasonable care, we are not in any danger in monsoon conditions. The
people working on deck handling the CTD system wear a life vest and a hardhat.
When conditions get rough, they wear a belt with a line attached to the ship so
they can't get washed overboard. When it gets really rough, then they don't let
you walk around on the wet decks. The conditions we experience in the monsoon
(25-30 kt winds) are not considered very hazardous for a vessel of this size.
The ship has very carefully planned procedures for fire, man overboard, and
abandon ship situations. We have 2 drills a week where everyone goes to an
assigned location and awaits instructions. We have had several briefings about
various emergency procedures and equipment.
What happens if lightning hits an instrument? Can you repair it?
If lightning actually hits an instrument, you usually just throw it away.
We have spares for almost all of our sensors. More commonly, you get small
electrical discharges from the ship that are not direct lightning strikes.
These can blow power supplies and sensitive components. In some cases they can
be replaced. A lot of our stuff has surge protectors, which help in these cases
(they don't help much for direct lightning strikes). My laboratory operates a
very tall meteorological tower (1000 ft) back near Boulder and we have a lot of
problems with lightning in the summer.
What have you learned about the monsoon?
The biggest surprise so far has been strong day-night difference in
rainfall. We have received 75% of our rain at night. This is a much stronger
diurnal variation than we observed in previous studies in the tropical western
Pacific warm pool (where El Nino originates). We assume it has something to do
with the influence of land, even though we are a long way out to sea.
Have you seen any "giant" squid?
The squid seen around here are quite large by my personal observations of 6
inch long squid in the western Pacific and back in Monterey, California (where I
used to live). Apparently they fishermen have seen some in the 18 inch size
range.
Do you ever get seasick?
My sea legs are ok as long as it doesn't get too rough. It only takes a day
or two and your sense of balance adapts to the uncertainty of the floor. It is
still a bit of a pain taking a shower while holding on with one hand or having
to sit down to put on a shirt.
Note added on Friday.
I just received your last comments. Thursday was mostly sunny with fairly
strong winds and Friday is sunny with winds finally declining. This project is
clearly a huge success; the weather cooperated and the equipment performed very
well. Right now plans for a party in Darwin are in the works, but we are not
sure what we are doing. The aussies on board we trying to get the Australian
Met Offfice to do a barbecue, but we are not sure that can be arranged.
Otherwise, people will celebrate in their own fashion. A few may even imbibe
alcoholic beverages. Attached is more data for your group. I am glad this
project was interesting for the students and I hope we can do a better job next
time. Right now cruise plans for next year are uncertain, but 2001 is shaping
up as a biggie.
| 
