Ahoy, fellow explorers. After a ~500 mile drive to Panama City, loading the vessel and setting sail just before we are now sailing 50 miles from shore to first sampling station. Whew, a full day of anticipation as Patty saw the Weatherbird II for the first time, met the 6 member WB II crew, and 13 members of the science party. First things first… SAFETY DRILL.

Before sailing safety is first concern aboard the Weatherbird II

 

Patty’s first impressions… “this is not the Royal Caribbean!” and, “where is the  chocolate fountain?” Seriously, it was really cool to see up close and personal the oceanic equipment that I teach my students about and soon I will see how it all works as we begin our first sampling at 11:30PM.

 

Now that everything is loaded we have set sail. Meet some of the VIP’s aboard the expedition.

During this Adventure at Sea, your ‘cruise director’, Teresa Greely did not bring Rocky the USF Bull aboard but has the honor of sailing with the USF College of Marine Science’s Dean, Jacqueline Dixon and our C-IMAGE Teacher at Sea, Patty Smukall.

 

Jacqueline Dixon, Dean USF College of Marine Science

(Marine Geologist- Volcanologist)

 

C-IMAGE Teacher at Sea, Patty Smukall from Wekiva High School

 

Keep sailing with us as we all prepare to work around the clock, 24/7 to gather as much scientific information as possible during our seven day Expedition in the Northern Gulf of Mexico.

Coming soon, meet the scientist, students and crew aboard the WBII and discover how the samples of sediment and fishes are collected.