R/V Sikuliaq Heads to Sea for Papa 12

Following a smooth mobilization period in Seward, Alaska—including unloading containers, assembling moorings, burning in instrumentation, and loading the R/V Sikuliaq—the Papa 12 cruise officially got underway this morning at 08:30 AK time.

Team members from OOI, the University of Washington, and NOAA are now en route to Station Papa, with an estimated transit time of about 3.5 days. The weather mostly cooperated during mobilization, and all aboard are doing well.

Along the way, the crew plans to pause at ~1,200 meters depth to test acoustic releases and communications using the ship’s transducer. Given the extended weather forecast at the site, the team may begin operations with the deployment of the NOAA PMEL surface mooring, which is currently secured in the A-frame and ready to go.