Bad Weather, no problem!
Schools often call us when there is foul weather in the forecast... "Is our trip still on?" they ask anxiously. The answer, invariably, is an emphatic "Yes!" The Robert G. Brownlee is an extremely stable vessel, and equipped with rain gear for our instructors and anyone else who needs it. So unless the forecast is truly out of the ordinary, count on the Captain keeping on course for another fantastic outing.
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MSI Instructors Kerri Deiner and Erica Westly are still smiling after an adventurous Discovery Voyage through a November storm. |
Around the Bay....
| The Robert G. Brownlee covered a lot of nautical miles this Fall. Our Satellite season has taken our vessel north into the Delta, then to Richmond and San Francisco, and finally back to our home port of Redwood City. But we're back on the move soon as we prepare to embark on serving schools in the North Bay from Antioch, where we will stay for January and February.
All this traveling allows us to serve different school districts, and to focus on different aspects of the varied regions of the Bay. Our Delta Voyages focus more on the importance of clean water issues, as the Delta is itself the main source of drinking water for the surrounding communities. We also find the abundant Asian clams we find on our mud grabs serve as valuable teaching tools for the principles of invasive species, mercury contamination, and bioaccumulation. |
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Having a Good Time! |
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After a week up in Antioch the Brownlee returned to her home port of Redwood City to run Discovery Voyages, where instructors and students alike enjoyed catching animals that prefer saltier waters such as leopard sharks, plainfin midshipmen, and bat rays. In late October the boat headed up to central SF Bay docking at both Richmond and San Francisco. While the views of the cityscapes and bridges were much appreciated, it was the variety of animals that really wowed everyone.
Some of the most memorable catches included a spiny dogfish and a bat ray with a 5 foot wingspan. Perhaps the most intriguing though was the variety of plankton found, the favorite being the dinoflagellates shaped like spaceships. Thanksgiving break brought the Brownlee back home to spend the last few weeks of the season exploring the South Bay.
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Julie Xelowski-Booker readies to release a very large Bat Ray back into the Bay. |
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We were able to squeeze in a special voyage in San Francisco on November 21st for MSI members, donors, and other paying public friends of MSI. The sunny afternoon offered a beautiful opportunity to set off under the Bay Bridge and across calm waters. Check Baylines for our next opportunity for you to come aboard! |
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Juliana and her grandfather smile brightly as she steers the ship out on the Bay. |
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Kids cheer "MUD!!" as they release the Peterson mud grab. |
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