In a few hours, we will meet our port escort outside of the Wellington Harbour and he will navigate the ship in to Queens Wharf. Even though the weather is still beautiful, the seas are about as rough as they have been the whole trip with 3m ground swells growing larger as we make the turn around to the infamous Cooks Strait. Loose objects once littered across my desk have found new homes rolling around the floor. Doors slam shut and the waves shout through the staterooms as they transverse in between the two hulls. There is the brief period in between sets that you almost forget the intense swells of the Pacific until the first wave of the next set lifts the bow of the ship and the second one comes crashing into the box of a cabin, blurring the view from the portholes as it rains back down. Warnings are posted on the outside doors stating to alert the captain before any attempt to wander the decks. Even though things sound a bit chaotic, everyone seems quite composed with the idea that the cruise has come to an end and we will all be walking on solid ground soon.
Almost a month and a half have gone by since we first set out for the East Cape. Both scientists and crew have come and gone since the beginning of this enduring cruise. The six weeks of research have been intense and proved more informative than I had ever imagined. The project itself has touched upon subjects that will continue to shape my opinions of coastal and marine geology. I feel like I speak for all of the other students who have participated in this project when I say this trip has taught me a lot; from the complexities brought about by the Waipaoa River, intricate structures, and active tectonics, to a bit of regional history, and of course life at sea.
 Some times have been tougher than others and other times couldn’t have been better, but it’s been a good mix and remain grateful for every minute of it. I would like to thank all of the crew on board the Kilo Moana for making the trip and work go by so smoothly. They really made us all feel welcome on board and were always more than willing to lend a hand even if it was just an odd task aside from there job description. I heard many of the more experienced scientists say it was the best crew they had ever dealt with, and despite my lack of comparison I would have to agree. Thanks to NSF, Margins, and NIWA for their initiation and participation with this project. To all of the joint scientists, it’s been great working with you all.
 After nearly a month and a half at sea, everyone seems at ease with their surroundings. Those awkward stages of
After nearly a month and a half, today is our last day at sea. Thinking back to the beginning of this adventure it seems ages ago. It started the same day that my fellow classmates back at East Carolina University were beginning classes. |
