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Puerto Rico Cruise Day 6
About the Nancy Foster
Photo: Amy V. Uhrin
NOAA Ship Nancy Foster was originally built for the U. S. Navy as a yard torpedo test craft. The vessel is 187 ft long, 40 ft in breadth, and drafts 10 ft. In 2001, the ship was transferred to NOAA and converted to conduct marine research along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States and the Caribbean. The ship was commissioned in 2003 and is named for Dr. Nancy Foster in tribute to her outstanding contributions in advancing NOAA’s mission. The vessel is capable of remaining at sea for 14 days before returning to port to refuel. The Nancy Foster home ports in Charleston, South Carolina. Learn more about Nancy Foster
Life at Sea
the RV Nancy Foster
Photo: Amy V. Uhrin
In addition to withstanding the rolling of the ship, inclement weather,
equipment malfunctions, and other typical incidents at sea, spending
14 days on a research cruise requires patience, flexibility, and consideration
for others. Scientists must remember and respect that the Nancy Foster is
home for the crew. Imagine being inundated with 14 crazy relatives all
coming to stay at your house for a couple of weeks!
Scientists bunk in staterooms consisting of two sets of bunk beds (racks),
a sink, and four lockers. A typical stateroom on Nancy Foster berths
four scientists comfortably. If you didn’t know your roommates before the cruise,
you will certainly get to know them intimately, living in such close quarters!Bathrooms
(heads) are same-sex, with separate stalls with lockable doors for showers
and toilets. Everyone eats together in the mess hall during established meal
times.
Photo: Amy V. Uhrin
For entertainment, there is a “theater” with a library of over 600 movies, a small area with board games and books, and a small workout room with some exercise equipment and free weights.
Photo: Amy V. Uhrin
When not in the field, scientists spend the majority of their time in the wet and dry labs, prepping equipment, processing samples, logging data, and organizing the Plan of the Day.
RV Nancy Foster Photo: Amy V. Uhrin
Perhaps the most important part of the ship for scientists and crew alike is the fantail. This is where the big game hunters come to test their skills at wrangling in “the big one”! Not only is there competition among the scientists and crew, but some top fish predators are reluctant to let their own dinner get away! (Fish on! Onlookers gather as Brian Degan reels in a trophy - or so he hopes!
Photo: Lecia Salerno.
Nancy Foster crew member Steve Williams can't believe his luck, both good and bad. He hooked into a nice size cero mackerel only to have the tail end chomped off by a greedy barracuda as he was reeling in!