Yesterday they took us on a tour of the ship.  It was simply amazing.  We got to go all over the place – the bridge, the drill floor, the engine control room, radio room and lots more. 

There is so much more going on here than meets the eye.  I am impressed with the skill of the crew – I can’t even imagine all the things they have to juggle and keep an eye on to make sure everything here works as it should.  Especially considering they can’t run to the store for parts or supplies! 

Without the crew there would be no research, because we’d have no lights, no computers, no phones or even showers or food.  Most of them do this for their fulltime jobs, so they are at sea six months out of the year, sailing on every other expedition. 

The technicians who work with the scientists in the labs are on the same kind of schedule – rotating between expeditions.  They are a great bunch of people as well.  They keep the instruments in line, and make all the work the scientists need to do possible.  What amazing teamwork, and I’m so proud to be a part of it!