First week at sea and a short stop in Tenerife

Mooring equipment on the aft deck of RRS Discovery as she leaves Southampton.

The CTD frame being manoeuvred on deck
 before being deployed for the first profile.

Since leaving Southampton the RRS Discovery has made its way south to the Canaries.  We have not yet arrived at the first of the RAPID moorings but all on board have nonetheless been busy getting ready for the work ahead.  Each time the RRS Discovery starts a new expedition the participants need to install and setup the equipment needed for their work.  The moorings technicians have prepared dozens of instruments and many miles of wires for the moorings.   Scientists have set up the systems for gathering data underway, installed equipment for the analysis of samples, and prepared their computers for processing the mooring data that will soon be acquired.     We have also completed our first three CTD stations required to calibrate instruments prior to deployment.

A short port call in Santa Cruz provides an opportunity for additional scientists, technicians and crew to join the ship.  Some personnel will be leaving us too.  Steve has completed his work setting up the Myrtle Lander and Mike has finished work in the meteorology lab initiating the underway measurement of methane and carbon dioxide.

A number of other unofficial participants have left the ship since we arrived in port.    During our passage Discovery had become home to a surprising variety of birds.    A robin made himself at home in the main scientific lab and was often seen perching on a keyboard or monitor.    Also spotted on the ship were a falcon, two owls, and a number of finches.

One of several birds who hitched a ride on RRS Discovery