From the Field: Training Oceanographic Mariners of Tomorrow aboard R/V Roger Revelle

Education and training are cornerstones of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego mission.  Our ship operations department enables practical experience for aspiring mariners who will soon begin contributing to our ocean science enterprise by operating the research vessels that are key to scientists' ability to explore and understand our ocean planet.

Our Ship Operations & Marine Technical Support department offers opportunities for cadets at U.S. maritime academies to serve as paid interns during their summer breaks.  Internships are requirements for academy cadets, and our program allows cadets to work alongside our experienced scientific mariners to gain important experience in the very specialized kind of seamanship associated with supporting oceanography.

One such intern is Morgan Murry, a junior at the California Maritime Academy, who is working aboard the Research Vessel (R/V) Roger Revelle during scientific missions ranging from Thailand to Palau.  Here is her report:

June 24, 2016
Aboard R/V Roger Revelle
Malakal Harbor, Palau

My name is Morgan Murry, and I am a junior at the California Maritime Academy where I am studying Marine Transportation. This unique major combines traditional college classes with technical training needed to sail ships across the world’s oceans. At Cal Maritime, I serve in the U.S. Navy Strategic Sealift Officer Program, work as a dormitory resident advisor aboard the training ship Golden Bear, give campus tours, am a member of several clubs (including the dive club and Earth to Sky Maritime club), and rowed on the freshman women's crew team.

I grew up in the in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, in the small town of Tuolumne. I was also fortunate and had the chance to travel. I lived in Liberia, Africa and the island of Guam. From these experiences, I developed a desire to see the world. Working on a research vessel has been something I dreamed of doing, and my experience with Scripps Institution of Oceanography this summer has been more than I could have hoped for.

The crew of the R/V Roger Revelle have been very welcoming, helpful, encouraging and extremely professional. They have gone well above and beyond to teach me about vessel operations and the maritime industry. I have had the opportunity to learn watchstanding procedures, vessel regulations, operate equipment, carry out calculations, and observe excellent leadership. My experience on R/V Roger Revelle has deepened my passion for the maritime industry and confirmed my decision of becoming a merchant mariner.

In addition to an excellent learning opportunity, this has also been an amazing adventure. Riding elephants in Thailand and scuba diving with sharks in Palau were some of my off duty highlights. I have also had the privilege to meet and observe world class scientists during their oceanographic explorations. Having the chance to do work that I love while supporting modern day scientific discoveries has been an incredible experience. I would like to thank everyone at Scripps Institution of Oceanography for giving me the opportunity to work and learn aboard R/V Roger Revelle.