This post is by Michael Martinez, a USF graduate student aboard the JOIDES Resolution.

Picture of two humpback whales off the sides of the JOIDES Resolution.

This is really AWESOME!!!!!!.  These are humpback whales.  I have never seen them that close.  These two lovely mammals passed by the aft (back), port (left), bow (front), and stern (right) sides of the Joides Resolution.  So you could say they were curious and wanted to take a look at our underwater operations while allowing to be mesmerized by their raw natural magnificence  :-)