NBP-06	- Weekly Report – 18 June 1999

The NBP-06 Palmer LTER cruise is a sea ice process cruise during fall/winter to investigate & 
understand sea ice growth processes & the relationship of these processes to the biota during the 
period of sea ice growth. The science plan is to make physical, optical, chemical & biological 
observations in representative sea ice stages including open water, frazil, grease, nilas, pancake & 
young first year ice as the ship transects from the marginal ice zone into close pack ice.  Key 
goals of the Palmer LTER sea ice cruise are to:
1) investigate processes associated with frazil & pancake ice formation,
2) study linkages between the various stages of sea ice growth & the associated biological, 
chemical, optical & physical characteristics,
3) determine the winter association (abundance & distribution) of Adelie penguins in association 
with the sea ice habitat.

The RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer departed Punta Arenas, Chile 1915 on 11 June with  Captain Joe 
Borkowski, Chief Mate Thomas Baker and Mates Vladimir Repin & Paul Jarkiewicz at the helm.
On time departure was ably assisted by the ASA team: Karl Newyear (Marine Projects 
Coordinator), Marc Pomeroy (Marine Science Tech), Chris Weddle (Electronics Tech), Mike 
Lewis & Christian Mcdonald (Marine Techs), Tobias Schunck & Kathleen Gavahan (Information 
Services) and Susan Allspaw (Technical Writer).

The Science Party includes: BP-013 (Eric Woehler & Peter Duley), BP-016 (Maria Vernet, Brian 
Bradshaw, Martha Ferrario, Irene Garibotti, David Hamm & Marnie Zirbel), BP-021 (Doug 
Martinson, Rich Iannuzzi), BP-028 (Langdon Quetin, James Flaherty, Jared Kneebone, Stephanie 
Oakes, Matthew Scott, Tracy Shaw & Jennifer White), BP-032 (Ray Smith, Michael Colee, 
David Menzies, Tim Newberger, Dominique Sonier, Sharon Stammerjohn, & Jinro Ukita), BP-
046 (David Karl, Karin Bjorkman, Christopher Carrillo, Lance Fujieki, Dale Hebel & Angie 
Thomson-Bulldis).

Passage across the Drake was mild for the first one-third and relatively rough (60+ knot winds) 
during the remainder of the crossing. We arrived at Author Harbor on 16 June where 
SB-028 carried out several check out dives.  Five CTD stations (600.040, 600.060, 600.080,
600.100, 600.120) were held overnight and tests were carried out on the Automatic Weather 
Station (AWS) and Ice Buoys.  Early AM on 17 June, with light winds but large swell, an attempt 
was made to get ashore on Hugo Island to repair/replace the AWS, but the swell and
ice covered shore line prevented safe landing.  

The cruise is proceeding smoothly as planned, science group is working as an integrated team and 
the support from Captain Joe Borkowski and crew and Karl Newyear and ASA personnel is 
excellent.  Sea ice was encountered at station 300.100, consistent with satellite imagery provided 
by John Booth at Palmer, and we are now proceeding southwest within the marginal ice zone.

Ray Smith, Chief Scientist
NBP-06 Palmer LTER Sea Ice Cruise