The maps that you've probably seen elsewhere on this web site of the summit of Axial Seamount were made from previously collected SeaBeam data. Today we will be going west of Axial to an area that has never been surveyed before to extend our bathymetric coverage of this section of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Almost half of my NOAA Corps career has been at sea, serving on both research ships and survey ships. This is my second opportunity to serve as captain of a NOAA ship. The safety of this ship, and the lives of all aboard, are the inescapable responsibility of the captain.
Safety is a two-syllable word that, on a ship, has a two page definition.
On cruises, I work with the Chief Scientist, on this particular cruise, Dr. Bob Embley , to carry out the ship's research mission. The orders for each cruise, called Cruise Instructions, are issued to both the Chief Scientist and the Commanding Officer. We each have different roles to play in achieving the assigned objectives of the mission. My role is to correctly apply all the resources and capabilities of this ship to support the requirements of the science program. It helps to see the other guy's problems and to be able to explain yours to him, so a good working relationship is really important.