Posts by amber.coogan

During recovery operations, moorings often bring unexpected visitors from the deep. Here, a team member pauses on deck with a sea anemone – a small reminder of the diverse and fascinating marine life connected to the Endurance Array.

Among the many rewards of time at sea are the views. This cruise offered several stunning sunsets, each a reminder of the beauty of the Pacific and the unique perspective gained while working offshore.

Sea lions are a familiar sight during Endurance Array operations – and frequent visitors to the buoys. These playful but persistent “cute nemeses” find the platforms irresistible places to lounge. While they sometimes complicate recovery work, they’re also a lively reminder of the vibrant marine life that calls these waters home.

Exceptional weather has been a highlight of this cruise. After a full day of recovery operations, several members of the Endurance Array team enjoyed a quiet moment on deck, relaxing after supper and watching the early fall sunset. These pauses are a reminder that life at sea isn’t only about hard work — it also…

Even while showing off the latest from his 2025 summer collection, deck lead Alex keeps safety first with the essentials: hard hat, boots, and work vest. It’s a reminder that aboard the Coastal Endurance Array recovery cruise, safety is always the top priority – but there’s still room for a little personality on deck.

Once a buoy is safely brought on deck, the recovery isn’t quite finished. A member of the team climbs the buoy to pull the winch recovery line, an essential step to fully secure and disconnect the mooring system.

A typical recovery of a Coastal Surface Mooring begins by hooking into the buoy and releasing the mooring from its anchor. The mooring is then carefully brought aboard through the ship’s stern A-frame. The anchor remains on the seafloor during this process and is recovered separately at a later stage. This approach allows the science…