Heading out across the Atlantic

From Bob Brewin (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK) 7 October 2013

After a five-day delay in departure, we finally got underway and left Immingham, UK, on 5 October. We first dropped in at Portsmouth where we arrived today to re-fuel, before eventually setting off for the Falkland Islands.

Leaving Immingham on AMT23 (B. Brewin)

As part of the 23^rd Atlantic Meridional Transect  we will be taking oceanographic measurements over the six weeks it takes to arrive at the Falklands.

These measurements will be used to help validate and parameterise a new bio-optical model being developed within an ESA project.

Setting up the hyperspectral radiometers. (B. Brewin)

Radiometric equipment is now set-up, and with the exception of a few teething issues, data are now coming in from the hyperspectral radiometer.

Setting up the radiometer was fun, it involved being hoisted up in a crane and attaching the ‘downwelling irradiance sensor’ to the front mast. We also set up the ‘sky and water radiance sensors’ on the front of the ship with the ‘tilt and roll sensor’.

Tilt and roll sensor. (B. Brewin)

Filtration rigs are also set up and we are hoping to sample at our first cruise station on Wednesday.

Track the RRS James Clark Ross cruise.