Log - July-21-2003 by Gerhard Behrens Previous | Next Expedition Expedition | People First day at sea We are underway from St. John's, heading north, far north. We have to "steam" in this direction for about three days, over 1,000 miles. That's like driving from Portland, OR to San Diego, CA. There is not much the science crew can do at this point because all the places for experiments and collecting information are still far away. But that doesn't mean we weren't busy. First, everyone went outside as we moved out of St. John's Harbor. Even those who have been on ships a lot loved being on deck and watched us glide away. No one was "too cool" to miss this beautiful passage into the Atlantic Ocean. Next, we went to a ship's briefing, kind of like a class meeting. The ship's crew taught us about being responsible: taking a shower without wasting water; closing doors behind you, without letting them slam; washing full loads of laundry; sorting trash into food waste, paper, plastic, glass, and metal; flushing only toilet paper down the toilet; keeping your work and living areas clean; walking quietly in the halls; taking off hats to eat in the dining room; and asking questions. Don't those sound familiar? We also learned about safety rules: where to meet in case of emergency; how to put on a survival suit; when to use an oxygen mask; how to use a pager to get a hold of someone; where to gather for life rafts; how to walk correctly on the steep and narrow stairs; when to wear steel toed boots and hard hats. Aren't their safety rules in our schools and homes? It's amazing to have so many experiences on the ship that are just like being at home or school.