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Daily Journal

September 14, 2004:
Aboard the R/V Wecoma

Annie and Susan are getting their sea legs and have been exploring the ship. We want to share with you some of the nautical (having to do with sailors, ships, or navigation) terminology and physical layout of the Wecoma.

There are a lot of nautical words used on ships that correspond to everyday words we all use. See if you can match the words to their definitions. Don't peek, but answers are below.

Nautical Term Common Term
1. fore a. eating area
2. aft b. outside floor
3. starboard c. a door
4. port d. front part of a ship
5. bow e. toilet and shower
6. stern f. floor inside a ship
7. mess g. toward the front (opposite of aft)
8. galley h. rope
9. head i. to gather for service or inspection
10. deck j. right side of ship
11. sole k. a wall between rooms
12. muster l. a stairway
13. bulkhead m. toward the back (opposite of fore)
14. hatch n. the back of a ship
15. ladder o. left side of a ship
16. line p. kitchen

When we first came on board, we were given a tour of the ship. We'd like to share that tour with you. The Wecoma has four decks or levels. The lower deck is called the Platform Deck, next above that is the Main Deck, above that is the Whaleback Deck, and finally on top is the Pilothouse or Bridge.

On the Platform Deck, you'll find us in our staterooms (sleeping quarters). This is where all the scientists and crew sleep except the Captain and the two Mates. The rooms are tiny, most have two bunks, a sink, a padded bench, a small foldout desk, and numerous drawers and cupboards. All the furniture is bolted to the floor or wall. There are 14 staterooms on this deck, and three on the Whaleback Deck.

Chief Scientist Krista preparing samples.

Best dinner on the High Seas (in the Mess Hall)

On the Main Deck, where most of the work is done, is the Main Laboratory (also known as the Dry Lab), the Wet Lab, the Galley, the Mess, the Library/Lounge, and the Electronics Lab. This deck is also access to the stern of the ship where the Rosettes are stored and deployed.

Devoted teachers hard at work
(Susan and Annie in their stateroom --
notice mascot whale and purple doily decor)

Going up to the next level is the 01 or Whaleback Deck. Much of the heavy equipment, including the cranes, is operated from this level. Also on this deck you'll find the Captain's and Mates' staterooms.

The Captain running the ship in the
Pilot Room (the best view in the house)

Finally, with the best view, is the Pilot House (also called the Bridge). All navigation and control of the ship happens from the Bridge. Instruments include global positioning (GPS), nautical maps, radar, ocean currents, and continuous weather readouts.

If you would like a more detailed description of the R/V Wecoma, go to this website.

Once you leave shore in a ship, the rest of the world fades away. The close quarters, the rocking and pitching of the ship, and the camaraderie on board are nothing like you experience on land. It is a world unto itself. It is easy to forget the busy schedules most of us keep in our daily lives. It is truly like entering another world.

And here are the answers to the matching quiz above:
1. g; 2. m; 3. j; 4. o; 5. d; 6. n; 7. a; 8. p; 9. e; 10. b; 11. f; 12. i; 13. k; 14. c; 15. l; 16. h.

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