ARSV LAURENCE M. GOULD DAILY SITUATION REPORT

GMT DATE:              26 February 2003

METRICS:                     SS

GMT TIME:                   0000          0600          1200          1800

LATITUDE (S):             67 47.1       67 40.8       67 23.3       67 02.4
LONGITUDE (W):            068 29.3      068 05.1      067 48.4      067 39.3

WEATHER
TEMPERATURE (C):            3.1           3.0           4.0           5.7
AIR PRESSURE(MB):          975.1         974.2         975.2         976.0
REL HUMIDITY (%):            50            47            55            38
WIND SPEED (KN):           35-40         25-30           <5          15-20
WIND DIRECTION:              NE            NE            NE            E
SWELL HEIGHT (ft):          4-6           2-4           1-3           NIL
SWELL DIRECTION:             NE            NE            NE           NIL
SALINITY(PSU):              32.8          32.8          32.1          31.1
SEA SURF TEMP(C):           0.4           0.1           -0.4          -0.7
VISIBILITY (NM):             5             5             10            10
CLOUDS (%):                 100            95            90           100
SEA STATE:                   4             3             2             2

SEA ICE
ICE TOTAL(TENTHS):          4/10          4/10          3/10          9/10
NEW & GREY ICE:         BERGS, BITS   BERGS, BITS   BERGS, BITS   BERGS, BITS
GREY-WHITE:             FLOES, BRASH  FLOES, BRASH  FLOES, BRASH  FLOES, BRASH
THIN ICE (30-60):
MED ICE (60-120):
THICK ICE (120-200):
OLD ICE 2 Yr. Plus:
SNOW DEPTH (CM):
ICE PRESSURE:

ENGINES/PITCH:             800/50        800/40       800/100       900/100
                     (OS-On Station, VP-Variable Pitch, OE-One Engine)

FUEL ON BOARD: (gallons)             N/A

REMARKS:  Began marine mammal survey south of Tickle passage.  Launched zodiacs, but no animals biopsied. Recovered zodiacs, and transited through Tickle Passage in 10/10 ice, bergs, bits and rubble frozen into fast annual ice in places.  On the north side we encountered open water with numerous humpbacks surface feeding.  Launched zodiacs and obtained several successful biopsies as well as photo documenting the majority of the animals.  Quite a sight.  We will transit north overnight towards LeMaire Channel, and will attempt to re-set the DUSH 6 winch on it's pedestal in the calm waters there.

regards, Owen
Marine Projects Coordinator
R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD
email to: mpc@lmg.usap.gov