PS123 - Weekly Report No 1 | 20. - 27.12.2020

From Bremerhaven to Las Palmas

After more than eight days of individual quarantine in the Hotel Best Western in Bremerhaven and a second negative PCR tests for CoV-2, we moved, according to plan, in two batches to RV Polarstern on December 20. We moved into the chambers, the safety briefing took place in the two groups that were to remain together until the end of the further quarantine measures. In addition, an exercise was carried out on the helideck.

December 20, 16:00, cast off. Sunset, foghorn concert and waving relatives. Departure, for some of us for a long journey, for all of us for a journey afar. The voyage through the English Channel was uneventful. On December 21, we had our first science meeting with weather briefing. There was a storm forecast for the Bay of Biscay. The forecast was correct and the storm hit us from the evening of the 22 to the evening of the 23.12 with eight, in gusts 10 wind forces and 6-7 meters wave from the front. Vigorous movement in the ship with "elevator movements" quickly made the desire for a pair of proper sea legs arise; participation during the meals was accordingly poor. Just in time for December 24, the sea turned calm again. Polarstern was decorated for Christmas and the strong hygiene measures were cancelled. The traditional dinner with Vienna sausages and potato salad was followed by a celebration in the blue salon with speeches from the captain and cruise leader, we sang Christmas songs and swapped presents in the best mood. On December 27 the third smear was taken as planned and handed over contactless to the agent near Las Palmas. The smear was sent to Bremerhaven to the laboratory Schuhmacher via airfreight. We expect the result around December 31 and in the meantime continue southwards. The geophysical en-route measurements with bathymetry (multi-beam), sediment echo sounder and magnetometer are in progress.

 

Greetings from the sunny south!

Tim Heitland

Contact

Science

Tanja Fromm
+49(471)4831-2009
Tanja.Fromm@awi.de

Scientific Coordination

Ingo Schewe
+49(471)4831-1709
Ingo Schewe

Assistant

Sanne Bochert
+49(471)4831-1859
Sanne Bochert