Some final tests and a sunny goodbye

With new instruments for bathymetry mounted on the ships hull, a calibration test was necessary for proper bathymetry measurements. In addition, there was one last test to the cable and winch for the clean CTD with time to spare to kindly provide a presentation and general overview of the clean container for scientists and crew. What makes it a cleanroom container, is of course a very interesting topic to many onboard. When sampling water for things like metal on a heavily metal-encrusted ship brings all sorts of contaminates to water samples. This is why the design of the cleanroom and CTD bottles, for example, is vital. The design of the airflow within the cleanroom is just one way to ensure microscopic particles sink and travel outside, rather than linger in the air in what would be a standard turbulent airflow design.

Scientists and crew have also been providing other explanations, presentations and demonstrations this cruise for a particular working group: Polarstern II. This group, headed by Detlef Wilde, have a few words of their own to say:

“In preparation for the upcoming tender for the new POLARSTERN II, the AWI PSII-Team joined the transit cruise on board F.S. Polarstern from Bremerhaven to Las Palmas. Major goal was to observe and understand the ship operation as well as the science that is conducted on the ship. Because of the great support from Captain Schwarze and the whole crew as well as from Johannes Rogenhagen and Andreas Pluder, we were able to get to know the ship from every angle and corner. We hope that our presence did not disturb the normal operation too much. We received a lot of useful information that was taken in and checked with recorded ship specifications. It is clear that the new PS II must not only be a copy of the current F.S. POLARSTERN, but will incorporate new methods and technologies as well. Currently, the PS II-team is prepared to start the tender process soon and everybody is excited and curious of its result.

Thank you again to everybody on board for this unique opportunity. The PS II-Team wishes everybody happy holidays!”

With weather a hot topic this cruise, another brilliant display could be seen on the port side of the ship less than 100m away with the passing of a water tornado. It was wonderful timing just before we said our sunny goodbyes the next day in Las Palmas.