Arctic Luau: A View from the Sky

September 26, 2008 · Filed Under Journey · 1 Comment

Jessica Robertson, U.S. Geological Survey Public Affairs Specialist

Yesterday, Louis and Healy pulled up alongside each other, placed a brow (or gangway) between the ships as a walkway, and we had a luau-themed dinner together. All week long, everyone has been talking about the planned rendezvous, hoping weather conditions would permit. Thankfully they did, and we spent the afternoon mixing, mingling and, exploring the adjacent ships.

Before setting down the brow, it needed to be transported from the front of the ship to the back. None of the cranes onboard were able to swing it from one end to another, so it had to be transported across the ice. Once a piece of multiyear ice was spotted, Healy stopped alongside it. Two U.S. Coast Guard members were carried by a crane onto the ice, where they checked for stability before placing the brow on it. Once they confirmed the ice was a secure spot, the brow was lowered and set down. Healy moved forward slightly to align the brow with the back of the ship and the walkway was slowly raised up and placed onto the flight deck.

I was lucky enough to take a helicopter ride while Louis pulled up alongside Healy. The pilot was wonderful, asking us which direction we wanted him to fly to ensure we captured this cooperative effort. I gathered some amazing video footage, and I hope you all enjoy the pictures with this blog entry!

Our helicopter trip ended on Louis, where we watched both crews work collaboratively to bring the ships together and secure the brow as a walkway from one ship to another. The Canadian Coast Guard passed by us with trays and trays of food as we waited by the hangar to cross back over. Once everything was set, I walked over to Healy, put my video equipment away and returned to Louis. Besides my brief landing a few minutes earlier, this was my first time on the Canadian ship, and I was anxious to see their accommodations and meet the rest of their crew.

Food was carried over from Healy and the smell inside the hangar made my stomach growl. The spread included lobster, shrimp, scallops, steaks, tables of desserts, and even a dolphin-shaped ice sculpture. The festive luau theme inspired several people, some with Hawaiian shirts and flip flops, and others with grass skirts creatively made with rope. Several awards and words of appreciation were presented between and among the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard.

After dinner, USGS scientist Deborah Hutchinson gave me and several others a tour of Louis. Along the way, I finally met Canadian Geological Survey scientist Ruth Jackson, who is the chief scientist for Louis. As we were introduced, she welcomed me with a huge smile and was such a delight. Both she and Debbie excitedly showed us the incoming data and discussed what it may indicate as a representation of the seafloor and underlying geology.

As we walked through the Louis hallways during our tour, we passed several U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard members discussing the similarities and differences between ship operations—both eagerly listening and learning.

When an announcement was made for everyone to return to their ship, I could not believe it was already 10:00 p.m. In fact, I can’t believe we are in our final week of this journey. I have been having a wonderful time, and with each day, a new adventure.

From the Arctic,

Jessica Robertson

: Healy and Louis alongside each other peering out at the Arctic sea ice ahead.

: Two U.S. Coast Guard members being transported by crane onto a piece of multi-year ice, where they checked for stability before placing the brow on it. The brow served as a walkway between the ships, but needed to be transported from the front of Healy to the back.

: Two U.S. Coast Guard members checked for stability before placing the brow on the ice.

: View of Arctic sea ice from the helicopter.

: View of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy from the helicopter.

: Louis slowly approaches Healy’s starboard side.

: View of Healy and Louis alongside each other.

: View of Healy and Louis alongside each other.

: View of Healy and Louis alongside each other.

: U.S. Coast Guard crew lowering the nets on the flight deck so the brow can be placed between Healy and Louis as a walkway. You can see the brow sitting on the deck behind the crew members.