[Cruise Journal 30 December – 1 January]
Sentry continues to impress, breaking its all-time single dive distance record; the second science party birthday is celebrated with another cake from steward Tony; and the Michigan State flag is flown over the Jurassic Quiet Zone.
After a brilliant first science dive setting a personal best 93.17 kilometers, Sentry showed up again for Dive 293 and coaxed some extra survey time out of its battery to tally 91.64 more. At this rate, things are looking good for challenging this pace on Dive 294, in progress now, and henceforth during the remaining science dives of the cruise.
In the meantime, life on board involves much less rolling than we’ve become accustomed to, as the Pacific has been more placid. With a lower SOG (that’s “speed over ground,” the absolute travel velocity calculated by GPS), we’re feeling less of a breeze and more of the 79.88 degrees Fahrenheit currently reported by the ship’s instruments. It’s not the typical northern hemisphere New Year’s climate, but we’re doing our best to stay positive. Laura was gifted with an excellent cake and particularly spirited round of song for her birthday, and the Michigan State contingent received the blessing of the Chief Mate to raise their banner on the main mast: Spartans Will.