The second SEAMSTRESS cruise on board the research vessel Kronprins Haakon officially started on the 15th of October of 2020 from Tromsø.
The Norwegian research vessel Kronprins Haakon (KH) is an ice-breaker class vessel that allows surveying and sampling in usually inaccessible polar areas. But the preference for KH over other research vessels available to us at UiT goes beyond the need of going into the ice. KH has an A-Frame and powerful cranes and winches, in addition to ample space on deck and a system to accurately keep a position, that makes possible the use of advanced marine instrumentation such as rigs for sediment drilling and piezometers (e.g., Ifremer piezometer).
The Ifremer piezometer was successfully used last year during the first SEAMSTRESS cruise and is the center of the experiment this year. This instrument is teaching us that the pressure of the water and gas inside the sediment changes with small fluctuations in the sea level, for example, tides, which are in turn caused by the gravitational forcing from the moon and the sun. It is just amazing to think that there can be such a close connection between the methane seepage phenomenon and forces beyond our Planet.
Now the other face of my emotions – We brought on board 2 sets of piezometers and sensors to maximize the time on board and collect pressure and temperature data from at least 4 stations. However, many factors have shaped the start of the cruise and therefor the original plan slowly became an illusion. Loading the ship with tens of individual boxes and dispersed equipment for ours and other expeditions used 2 days of cruise and delayed necessary work needed to be done on deck while the ship was still on quay. We are just learning that packing for an expedition is an art and if mastered it can save days. Just one day is critical for Arctic expeditions in this time of the year where a window of good weather is just gold. There was a lot more happening before getting on track. For example, we were allowed on board the ship one day after, when the captain received the result of a corona test by one of the crew members. We also used some time in sailing to and back from Ramfjord to do the bunkering (filling the tanks) over the night.
Photo: The crew of R/V Kronprins Haakon brings each piece of equipment on board with the cranes at the Breivika quay in Tromsø
Luckily we are in good hands and with great people. Exciting discussions about science, politics, entertainment and exotic (Arctic) landscapes, keep us heading north.
As a cruise participant I am craving for some action, and as a cruise leader I am just praying to the Viking gods for a long golden weather window and less unaccounted factors.
Photo: Sunset at the middle of the Ocean just passing Bjørnøya
Text and photos Andreia Plaza-Faverola