Join Captain Gavin Joyce as we engage in teaching, research, and community outreach - all from aboard the Duke University Marine Lab's R/V Shearwater! From teaching undergraduate and graduate students about marine life, to taking sponsors out for Forever Learning weekends, to returning injured sea turtles back to the wild, the Shearwater research vessel is always on the move. None of these adventures would be possible without your generous support. We are grateful for all you do!
Log Entry: January 2, 2023
The R/V Shearwater departed for a trip to Miami to pick up students for a class led by Zackary Johnson, Juli Plant Grainger Associate Professor of Biological Oceanography and Marine Biotechnology. The class traveled to Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Everglades National Park before returning to Miami. This was an amazing opportunity to learn through lectures and labs on board, then to apply this knowledge through direct sampling of the environment around us. The region provided spectacular opportunities for exploration!
We also snorkeled, released rehabilitated sea turtles, and deployed CTD at 500m. CTD, which stands for conductivity, temperature, and depth, is an electronic device that detects how conductivity and temperature of the water column changes relative to water depth. It is key to understanding the physics, chemistry, and biology of the water column, and helps biologists understand why marine life is present or not present at various depths.
Log Entry: February 6, 2023
This morning we embarked on a Virginia Beach prey mapping trip. During the trip, we found a right whale mom and calf about 300 yards off the beach just west of Cape Lookout Bight. We got photo IDs and found out that the mother’s name was Pilgrim.
We then calibrated the EK80, a high-precision scientific echo sounder designed to monitor underwater ecosystems, and started survey lines to see what prey were present that the whales were eating. We also conducted a prey mapping survey around humpbacks.
This project is funded by U.S. Fleet Forces Command and managed by Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic as part of the U.S. Navy’s Marine Species Monitoring Program. It is designed to learn about whale behavior to prevent them from colliding with Navy and other vessels, as well as help the whales avoid other potential dangers.
Log Entry: February 24, 2023
We deployed autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) provided by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). AUVs are programmable, robotic vehicles that can glide through the ocean without real-time control by humans. They allow scientists to conduct experiments from a surface ship while the AUV collects data remotely. We were joined by Peter Brickley, Senior Engineer at WHOI, along with other scientists.
The primary objective of this work is to build upon the ongoing Mid-Atlantic Humpback Whale project conducted under the U.S. Navy’s Marine Species Monitoring Program. We deployed high-resolution digital acoustic tags (DTAGs) to measure humpback whale responses to close ship approaches. These tags are noninvasive and can help us monitor the whales' response to sound throughout the dive cycle.
Log Entry: February 28, 2023
We took two trips to the Jax Marine Mammal ID Navy training range in Jacksonville, FL. This area houses a whole underwater network of hydrophones, or underwater microphones, that listen for marine mammal calls to help gauge the animals' behavior. We also found and biopsied a false killer whale and followed a minke whale.
Log Entry: March 1, 2023
On another project funded by U.S. Fleet Forces Command as part of the U.S. Navy’s Marine Species Monitoring Program, we deployed different tag sensors and applied controlled exposure experiments (CEEs) to Cuvier’s beaked whales and short-finned pilot whales off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. This process is harmless to the whales and helps us quantify exposure and potential behavioral responses to U.S. Navy mid-frequency active sonar.
The R/V Shearwater and R/V Barber, a smaller research vessel in our fleet, also conducted on-water tracking of tagged whales and successfully deployed a DTAG on another Cuvier’s beaked whale.
Log Entry: May 9, 2023
We took 15 passengers on a day trip from the Marine Lab to the barrier islands of Cape Lookout National Seashore. There, we were able to enjoy everything these carefully protected islands have to offer, including the opportunity to observe dolphins, birds, and wild horses in their natural habitat.
Log Entry: May 11, 2023
Twenty-four undergraduate students and 13 passengers went for a day trip to Cape Lookout. We anchored the Shearwater and deployed the RIB (rigid inflatable boat) to shuttle the students to shore. There, they had plenty of time to explore the beautiful scenery and local wildlife.
Log Entry: September 5, 2023
Today we had the opportunity to host seven VIP passengers, including Duke University President Vincent Price, for a day trip on the Shearwater. We traveled down Taylor’s Creek, which adjoins the Rachel Carson Reserve. The reserve is a complex of small islands that host unique habitats such as tidal flats, salt marshes, shrub thicket, and maritime forest.
More than 200 species of birds have been observed at the site, 23 of which are considered rare or decreasing in number. The American bottlenose dolphin also swims in the deeper waters around the islands, along with 52 species of fish.
Log Entry: November 5, 2023
We embarked on a Marine Mammals class day trip around the cape, where students learned more about the social organization, behavior, ecology, communication, and anatomy of local bottlenose dolphins. They also learned more about CTD and wet wall capabilities. This was just the first of several multi-day trips.
Log Entry: December 2, 2023
Nine passengers joined us for a ride on an off-road vehicle to Pine Shoals Aquarium, where we released sea turtles back into the wild. These turtles were found emaciated months before, and were released after being nursed back to health. The N.C. Aquariums regularly care for sick or injured sea turtles throughout the year in an effort led by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Duke is a proud partner in this effort, which gives students an opportunity to get hands-on experiences conserving and protecting our local species.
Thank you for joining us on our voyage, and for everything you do to keep the R/V Shearwater going strong! Until next time, the Shearwater will continue to serve as a critical tool for educating students, the local community, and anyone and everyone who feels strongly about preserving our precious coastal habitats. We’ll continue to keep you posted on our adventures!
To make a gift to support the R/V Shearwater, please contact the Nicholas School's Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 919-613-8003 or odar@nicholas.duke.edu.