On the Water now: GO SHIP I09N blog
The 2025 occupation of GO SHIP I09N line is now underway, and the Carlson Lab at UCSB has technician Kendra Hyles on board reporting in as they set sail from Western Australia!
WEEK 1: Mobilization and Setting Sail
March 13-21
Hello blog viewers! My name is Kendra Hyles, and this is the first installation of posts I will be writing while working as a Carlson Lab research technician aboard the R/V Thompson during the U.S. GO-SHIP occupation of the 109N meridional hydrographic line. The U.S. GO-SHIP program conducts highly accurate, decadal-scale measurements of ocean conditions, including heat, freshwater, carbon, oxygen, nutrients, and tracers, across entire ocean basins. These long-term observations, combined with other data sources, help track physical and biogeochemical climate changes, support state estimation, and improve climate modeling.
During this voyage with GO-SHIP, we are sailing from Fremantle, Australia to Phuket, Thailand in ~36 days. Aboard the vessel, my job is to collect Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) samples for Craig Carlson’s Microbial Oceanography Lab at UC Santa Barbara. The Carlson Lab explores the role of marine microbes in regulating DOM and its impact on the ocean’s carbon cycle. This research helps scientists better understand DOM’s biogeochemical significance and the ocean’s ability to store carbon, which is vital for monitoring climate change and other long-term effects.
After a couple of flights and car rides, I finally arrived in Australia! Our port city, Fremantle, sits just about 30 minutes from Perth. With the next major city 1,300 miles to its East, and endless ocean stretching to the West, it is regarded as one of the most isolated cities in the world. Yet, with its bustling streets, lively atmosphere, and vibrant activities, you’d never guess it.
I was supposed to spend 3 days in Fremantle preparing for the cruise, however, a critical shipment for another sampling team was delayed, so 3 days was stretched to a week. Of course, scientists are constantly reminded that if everything goes right… you’re probably doing it wrong!
During the first few days of mobilization, I made sure all of our sampling equipment was unpacked and safely on board, and then I got to set up my lab station.
This is where I will be preparing samples for analysis during the next few weeks. The lab and sampling bay were swabbed to ensure no contaminants were present. After everything is set up, it all must be fastened securely to withstand the constant motion of the waves (we use lots of bungee cords and ratchet straps).
Once fully prepared to sail, I was lucky enough to enjoy a few days of exploration in Fremantle. Here are some of my favorite moments:
Rottnest Island: An idyllic island situated off the coast of Fremantle, renowned for its white sandy beaches and status as a protected nature reserve. Also, it serves as home to the Quokka (pictured left), a small and extremely adorable marsupial.
Fremantle Markets: A public marketplace with various food, fashion, and art vendors. I caught a hilarious street performance before heading inside!
Western Australia Shipwreck Museum: I could’ve spent hours in here. On display are centuries of Western Australia’s rich maritime history. The centerpiece exhibit is the reconstructed stern of the Batavia (pictured right), a Dutch ship that wrecked in 1629 on Morning Reef, less than 300 miles Northwest of Perth.
After an exciting period of exploration, it is time to get underway! Today, March 21, we set sail from Fremantle and are now en route to our first sampling station in the coming days. I am thrilled to have you join this journey with me– so stay tuned for more weekly updates!
