Written by Vidushi Dhaka, Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences, Planetary Science Major, Class of 2026
Date: September 26th, 2025
Working Through Challenges
Seasickness hit harder than expected. Even with patches, I’ve had moments where Bonine was the only option, even if it made me drowsy. It’s tough trying to stay focused when your body feels off, but that’s part of being here. For me, this cruise was always about pushing past the things that made me nervous: fieldwork, being uncomfortable, not being in control. You can’t only study geology from a computer. You have to step into the harder parts as well.
Chris, on the day shift, has his own version of challenges. While the three of us are trying to keep our eyes open at 3 am, he’s juggling everything that piles up midday. Different struggles, same outcome: you just adapt.
What has helped most is realizing how collaborative this work is. At Rutgers, most of my projects were either independent or directly supervised by a professor. Here, people with 6 months of experience work side by side with people who’ve been on ships for over 6 years. Everyone’s contribution counts. That kind of inclusivity motivates you to give your best.
Becoming a Shipboard Scientist
On the night shift, Emily, Izzy, and I (Vidushi) conduct SBP-29 surveys, which are sub-bottom profiles that enable us to image sediments within the New England Mud Patch (NEMP). The instrument we’re using has higher resolution than older ones, so our data will add to what’s already known.
We also launch XBTs (Expendable Bathythermographs) every ~4 hours. One person logs the serial number, two head outside with the probe, and we radio the bridge to make sure it’s safe. The probe is lowered into the chute, and as
it sinks, it sends temperature data through the thin copper “science glitter” wire. Once it hits the bottom, we cut the line. At night, it’s a strange feeling; your headlamp lights up just a few feet around you, and the rest is pitch black ocean.
Besides that, there’s a lot of logging and checking equipment. Sometimes the software malfunctions, and fixing it requires patience. It doesn’t sound the most exciting thing out there, but it’s the small details that make the bigger science possible.