IODP Expedition 391
Walvis Ridge Hotspot
Daily Science Report for 31 December 2021
Location: Underway to proposed Site FR-01B (Site U1575)
Science Update: The vessel completed 297 nmi, and a total of 709 nmi, of the 967 nmi voyage from Cape Town to proposed Site FR-01B (Site U1575) at an average speed of 12.4 kt. The estimated time of arrival on site is 2200 h on 1 January 2022. The preparation of the drilling equipment began. Daily COVID-19 antigen testing continued for all personnel, and all results were negative.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 30 December 2021
Location: Underway to proposed Site FR-01B (Site U1575)
Science Update: The vessel completed 290 nmi, and a total of 412 nmi, of the 967 nmi voyage from Cape Town to proposed Site FR-01B (Site U1575) at an average speed of 12.1 kt. The estimated time of arrival on site is 0100 h on 2 January 2022. COVID-19 antigen tests were administered for all personnel, and all results were negative.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 29 December 2021
Location:
- Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
- Underway to proposed Site FR-01B (Site U1575)
Science Update: Alternating daily COVID-19 PCR and rapid (antigen) testing of shipboard personnel continued. Antigen tests were administered for all personnel on the vessel and results from PCR testing were received. Negative test results for the personnel on board initiated the preparation for departure. Three personnel returned to the ship upon completion of their hotel isolation period. The ship was secured for transit and the harbor pilot came aboard at 1301 h. Two tugboats were then made fast by 1318 h and the vessel departed the Landing Wharf 2 with the last line released at 1330 h. The pilot disembarked at 1354 h and our sea passage started at 1400 h. The rest of the day was spent in transit and we completed 122 nmi of the 967 nmi voyage from Cape Town to proposed Site FR-01B (Site U1575). The estimated time of arrival on site is the morning of 2 January 2022.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 28 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Alternating daily COVID-19 PCR and rapid (antigen) testing of shipboard personnel continued. PCR tests were administered for all personnel on the vessel. Three personnel returned to the ship upon completion of their hotel quarantine period. Surface freight was loaded, consisting of laboratory supplies. Pending COVID-19 testing results, the ship is scheduled to depart Cape Town at 1300 h on 29 December.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 27 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Alternating daily COVID-19 PCR and rapid (antigen) testing of shipboard personnel continued. Antigen tests were administered for all personnel on the vessel, and all results were negative. Sixteen personnel returned to the ship upon completion of their hotel isolation period. The departure date will be guided by the results of the ongoing testing regimen.
The science party held another meeting to discuss science priorities for the remaining operational time. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 26 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Alternating daily COVID-19 PCR and rapid (antigen) testing of shipboard personnel continued. PCR tests were administered for all personnel on the vessel, and all results were negative. One crew member returned to the ship upon completion of the hotel isolation period.
The science party continued discussing science priorities for the remaining operational time. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 25 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Alternating daily COVID-19 PCR and rapid (antigen) testing of shipboard personnel continued. Antigen tests were administered for all personnel on the vessel and results from PCR testing were received, revealing one more positive case. The infected person departed the ship to isolate in a hotel.
The science party continued discussing science priorities for the remaining operational time. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 24 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Alternating daily COVID-19 PCR and antigen testing of shipboard personnel continued. COVID-19 PCR tests were administered for all personnel on the vessel. Two crew members returned to the ship after completing their hotel isolation period.
The science party held another meeting to discuss science priorities for the remaining operational time. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 23 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: All COVID-19 PCR tests of remaining shipboard personnel implemented on the previous day were negative. Rapid (antigen) COVID-19 testing of all vessel personnel was conducted, with no suspected cases of COVID-19. COVID-19 PCR and antigen testing will continue to alternate on a daily basis until the ship is cleared to depart Cape Town harbor.
The science party held a meeting to discuss science priorities for the remaining operational time. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 22 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Rapid (antigen) COVID-19 testing of additional crew members based on close contacts recorded another positive result. The infected person departed the vessel to isolate in a hotel. A second round of COVID-19 PCR testing of all remaining shipboard personnel was implemented.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 21 December 2021
Location: Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: The results obtained from COVID-19 PCR testing of all remaining shipboard personnel revealed one new positive case. Continued rapid (antigen) testing of close contacts then recorded another positive result. Both personnel are crew members who then disembarked the vessel for isolating in a hotel.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 20 December 2021
Location:
- Underway to Cape Town, South Africa
- Landing Wharf 2, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: After completing the final 44 nmi of the 977 nmi voyage from proposed Site CT-04A to Cape Town, South Africa, we arrived at the anchorage location outside of Cape Town harbor at 0649 h. The anchor was released and touched bottom at 0650 h. The personnel who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus disembarked while at anchorage and moved into a hotel for their quarantine. The harbor pilot came aboard at 1114 h. We raised the anchor, which was off bottom at 1120 h. The vessel then was underway to Landing Wharf 2 of Cape Town harbor. At 1142 h, two tugboats started assisting with berthing operations. The first line ashore was at 1224 h, ending the pilotage. The vessel was secured and the pilot departed at 1307 h. COVID-19 PCR testing was implemented for all remaining shipboard personnel. Crew members identified as close contacts of the personnel testing positive for COVID-19 left the vessel and were transferred to a hotel to quarantine.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. Enhanced shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 19 December 2021
Location: Underway to Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: The vessel completed 176 nmi, and a total of 933 nmi, of the 977 nmi voyage from proposed Site CT-04A to Cape Town at an average speed of 7.3 kt. The speed was reduced to arrive at 0700 h on 20 December.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. A joint ship-to-shore broadcast was held with E/V Nautilus as a Facebook Live event, with an audience of approximately 40 people and more than 400 views of the coverage since then. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 18 December 2021
Location: Underway to Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: The vessel completed 186 nmi, and a total of 757 nmi, of the 977 nmi voyage from proposed Site CT-04A to Cape Town at an average speed of 7.8 kt through choppy seas. The speed was reduced to arrive at 0700 h on 20 December.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. The night shift scientists received further training on IODP sampling procedures. A towed magnetometer was deployed to measure seafloor magnetic data while transiting in international waters. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 17 December 2021
Location: Underway to Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: The vessel completed 218 nmi, and a total of 571 nmi, of the 977 nmi voyage from proposed Site CT-04A to Cape Town at an average speed of 9.1 kt through choppy seas. The estimated time of arrival is 2300 h on 19 December.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. The day shift scientists received further training on IODP sampling procedures. A towed magnetometer was deployed to measure seafloor magnetic data while transiting in international waters. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 16 December 2021
Location: Underway to Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: The vessel completed 256 nmi, and a total of 353 nmi, of the 977 nmi voyage from proposed Site CT-04A to Cape Town at an average speed of 10.7 kt. The estimated time of arrival is the evening of 19 December.
The science party continued setting up laboratory instruments. The core description and micropaleontology teams held a joint planning meeting on XRF analysis. A towed magnetometer was deployed to measure seafloor magnetic data while transiting in international waters. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed and COVID-19 testing was implemented for all personnel.
Daily Science Report for 15 December 2021
Location:
- Underway to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575)
- Site U1575 (32°7.8600′S, 0°35.5620′W)
- Underway to Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: After completing the final 101 nmi of the 973 nmi voyage from Cape Town, South Africa, to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575), we arrived on site at 0818 h. We started lowering the thrusters at 0822 h and switched to full dynamic positioning (DP) mode at 0845 h. The rig floor was released for operations to start assembling the rotary core barrel (RCB) bottom-hole assembly (BHA). We spaced out the outer core barrel and made the RCB core barrels ready. The captain then informed the rig floor of an emergent medical issue caused by a few mild to asymptomatic COVID-19 cases that have been isolated. We suspended operations, rigged down, and secured all drilling equipment. At 1300 h, we started preparing the ship for returning to Cape Town. As a precautionary measure, the ship will dock there to solve the shipboard medical issue. At 1445 h, we raised the thrusters, switched from DP to cruise mode, and secured the vessel for transit. We began our sea passage to Cape Town at 1500 h, completing 97 nmi of the 977 nmi voyage by the end of the day.
The science party continued orienting to the laboratories and setting up instruments. The core description and micropaleontology teams were introduced to microscope handling and imaging. The Outreach Officer provided training on the implementation of shipboard tours to the night shift scientists. A towed magnetometer was deployed to measure seafloor magnetic data while transiting in international waters. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 14 December 2021
Location: Underway to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575)
Science Update: The vessel completed 276 nmi, and a total of 872 nmi, of the 973 nmi voyage from Cape Town to Site U1575 at an average speed of 11.5 kt. The estimated time of arrival on site is ~0800 h on 15 December.
The science party continued orienting to the laboratories and setting up instruments, and they completed the methods chapter drafts. The pore water geochemists received training on Rhizon sampling while the core describers were introduced to handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) safety and operating procedures. The Outreach Officer provided training on the implementation of shipboard tours to the day shift scientists. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 13 December 2021
Location: Underway to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575)
Science Update: The vessel completed 266 nmi, and a total of 596 nmi, of the 973 nmi voyage from Cape Town to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575) at an average speed of 11.1 kt. The estimated time of arrival on site is ~0930 h on 15 December.
The science party continued orienting to the laboratories, setting up instruments, and drafting their methods chapters. The whole-round sediment core sampling plan, which will be implemented on the core receiving platform, was discussed and drafted for the first drill site. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 12 December 2021
Location: Underway to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575)
Science Update: The vessel completed 263 nmi, and a total of 330 nmi, of the 973 nmi voyage from Cape Town to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575) at an average speed of 11 kt. The estimated time of arrival on site is late morning of 15 December.
The day shift scientists received training on IODP sampling procedures. The science party continued orienting to the laboratories, setting up instruments, and drafting their methods chapters. The core description team met with the Publications Specialist to discuss the layout of the visual core description sheets. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols continue to be followed.
Daily Science Report for 11 December 2021
Location:
- Repair Quay 3, Cape Town, South Africa
- Underway to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575)
Science Update: After final air freight had been loaded, the vessel was secured for transit. The pilot boarded the ship at 1642 h. The vessel departed the Repair Quay 3 with the last line released at 1709 h, beginning our sea voyage. The rest of the day was spent in transit and we completed 67 nmi of the 973 nmi voyage from Cape Town to proposed Site CT-04A (Site U1575). The estimated time of arrival on site is the morning of 15 December.
The night shift scientists received training on IODP sampling procedures. The science party continued orienting to the laboratories and setting up instruments. The last remaining scientist arrived on board in the morning after completing the hotel quarantine. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed.
Daily Science Report for 10 December 2021
Location: Repair Quay 3, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: The ship bunkered another fuel load of 508.3 mt. The crew loaded a shipment of fresh fruit and vegetables. Other port call activities included the loading of four flats, containing a mud motor, casing, knobby drilling joints, and core liners. The scientists were given core flow tours in the laboratory and introduced to core imaging. The scientists continued orienting to the laboratories and setting up instruments. One science party member boarded the vessel upon completion of the hotel quarantine. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed. The ship is tentatively scheduled to depart Cape Town at 1400 h on 11 December.
Daily Science Report for 9 December 2021
Location: Repair Quay 3, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Port call activities continued for Expedition 391. The crew loaded frozen and dry catering stores and the ship bunkered 500.2 mt of fuel. The night shift scientists had their pictures taken, received a general presentation on ship safety, and were given a safety tour of the vessel. The scientists continued setting up their computers and orienting to the laboratories. One JRSO staff member boarded the vessel. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed. The ship is scheduled to depart Cape Town on 11 December.
Daily Science Report for 8 December 2021
Location: Repair Quay 3, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: After clearing immigration, the majority of the Expedition 391 scientists, JRSO staff, and ship’s crew boarded the vessel in the morning and moved into their cabins. The day shift scientists and new JRSO staff got their pictures taken, received a general presentation on ship safety, and were given a safety tour of the vessel. Scientists began setting up their computers to access the ship’s network and orienting to their laboratories. Other port call activities included the distribution of oncoming freight. Shipboard COVID-19 mitigation protocols are being followed. The ship is scheduled to depart Cape Town on 11 December.
Daily Science Report for 7 December 2021
Location: Repair Quay 3, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Port call activities continued with the loading of food stores. Shipboard antigen tests were conducted for all offgoing personnel. The Expedition 391 scientists, JRSO staff, and ship’s crew continued to quarantine, prior to boarding on 8 December. PCR testing took place for all oncoming personnel at the quarantine hotel, following the JRSO COVID-19 mitigation protocols.
Virtual orientation and preparation meetings continued with the scientists receiving introductions on core imaging and a briefing on boarding procedures. Laboratory teams continued to work on their methods chapters and discuss their sampling and research plans for the expedition. The ship is scheduled to depart Cape Town on 11 December.
The Co-Chief Scientists, Expedition Project Manager, and Outreach Officer gave a virtual talk on the background and objectives of Expedition 391 to the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) Student Chapter at the University of Namibia.
Daily Science Report for 6 December 2021
Location: Repair Quay 3, Cape Town, South Africa
Science Update: Walvis Ridge Hotspot Expedition 391 officially began in the port of Cape Town, South Africa, at 0800 h. Port call activities included loading of incoming airfreight and the uninterruptible power supply.
All oncoming Expedition 391 personnel, including a reduced JRSO team and science party contingent, continued to quarantine in a hotel in Cape Town as part of pre-boarding COVID-19 mitigation protocols. The seven-day hotel quarantine period, which includes two COVID-19 tests, will end on 8 December when all Expedition 391 participants board the JOIDES Resolution (JR). During the hotel quarantine period, the Expedition 391 scientists and JRSO staff began virtual expedition preparation and received laboratory safety training and an orientation to life aboard the JR (including the JRSO Code of Conduct). Other virtual meetings addressed expedition science objectives, coring and downhole logging operations, curation, core description, IT and publication services, as well as individual research and shipboard outreach plans. The laboratory teams continued to draft their methods chapters and started to discuss shipboard sampling plans for the expedition. The ship is scheduled to depart Cape Town on 11 December.