Day 2: 360 degrees of open water

By: Thomas Coad

After a relaxing departure the previous evening, this morning I awoke to the gentle roll of the RV Investigator as we powered up the Tasmanian East Coast.  Filled with anticipation, I was eager to gain the best possible view of our new surroundings.  I scrambled up to the observation deck, situated 23 metres above the rolling swell below.  From here it was clear that we had left Hobart far behind, as we were now surrounded by 360 degrees of open water.

Here, on the seventh deck, I had the privilege of assisting principal investigator, Dr Eric Woehler and fellow seabird researcher Dr Jill Shephard, with surveys of the spatial variability in the distribution and abundance of seabirds.  Once familiar with surveying protocol, we watched expectedly as albatross soared overhead and prions dipped between waves.  As we passed through Banks Strait, numerous pods of dolphins swam over to greet us, jumping playfully in our wake.

One of my greatest insights attained from working alongside these experts in the field is that every bird, every behaviour, every observation, holds both meaning and connection with an overarching idea.  It is these ideas that truly emphasise the importance of interdisciplinary scientific voyages of this nature.