Friday August 19, 2005

After a couple of days hanging out in Barrow Alaska, Rainer and I got on the ship today about 4 pm. It was quite an operation, involving 2 helicopters, to transfer 60 people to and from the ship. The coast is too shallow for docks here so the Oden was moored about 3 miles out. The Oden is a 107 meter (342 feet) long Swedish Icebreaker. She is one of the most powerful icebreakers in operation next to the nuclear powered Russian vessels. We will also be accompanied by the U.S. Healy in a week or so. They will perform the Geophysical Research for the Expedition and be important support during a polar crossing. The north pole is generally ice covered so 2 icebreakers are required for safety purposes.

Everyone is scurrying around the ship like happy little lab rats. I think everyone was just excited to get out of Barrow and start working. We are leaving at midnight tonight so we can arrive at our first station by 9 am tomorrow. Hopefully we will all be ready!

Amanda