Polar Science Station: The Case of the Elusive Element

Week 5
31 July 2006

Today’s entry is about people who work on the Nathaniel B. Palmer. On a related note, Ernest Stelly, who was featured in Jobs at Sea Week 2, has passed all but his final test (in celestial navigation) for a 3^rd mate, unlimited gross tonnage license. Congratulations! Since he’s moving up the career ladder, the NBP will need another cook. Are you ready to tie down those pots and pans?

Section I
Who works on the Nathaniel B. Palmer?

Three different groups work on the Nathaniel B. Palmer to get the scientific research done. These groups are the:

	National Science Foundation (NSF)
	Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO)
	Raytheon Polar Services Company (RPSC)

The NSF decides which science proposals it will fund, when they will be funded, and on which ship. The principal investigators (scientists) write the proposals and decide on the science party for the cruise. Two polar research vessels, the Nathaniel B. Palmer and the Lawrence M. Gould, are staffed and run identically. Both are chartered by the NSF from ECO, the builder and owner. ECO provides the crew required to operate the vessels. The NSF subcontracts with RPSC to staff the vessels with technicians who facilitate the shipboard science operations. These operations include deck operations, electrical and equipment operations, lab operations and computer support. RPSC handles much of the pre-cruise logistical and operational planning in order to bring these three groups together.

Not only are there three different work groups on board, but within each work group there are people from all over the world. When Chris Measures, one of the scientists on board, first started going out on research vessels in the U.S. as a post-doctoral student in 1979, the science crew was all male and mostly born in the U.S. (Although Chris was born in the United Kingdom). Times have changed.

On this research cruise, the scientists and graduate students come from many countries and the ratio of men to women has changed dramatically. (The list below is based on the country of birth, not current residence.)

National Science Foundation Personnel (NSF) (scientists and graduate students)

Europe
	Italy	1
	United Kingdom	1
	Russia	1

Question: What countries make up the United Kingdom?

North America
	Canada	1
	U.S.A.	17
	Russia	1

Question: Are there any other countries in North America?

Asia
	China	4
	Korea	1
	Japan	1
	Thailand	1

Question: Name two countries that border Thailand.

Math Time: (Not nap time…math time)

What percent of the NSF personnel come from Asia? What percent come from Europe?

Of the NSF personnel, 17 are female and 12 are male. What percent of the personnel are female?

The Raytheon Polar Services Corporation has 10 employees on the Nathaniel B. Palmer. They were all born in the U.S. Nine of the employees are male and one is female.

Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) has employees from the following countries:

	United States	7
	Russia	1
	Chile	1
	Nicaragua	1
	Philippines	12
ECO one female employee.

Question: How many employees does ECO have from South America?

Question: What industry or field do you work in? Who works with you? What are some of the advantages of working with people from different countries? What could be some potential difficulties?

Week 5 31 July 2006

Section I Who works on the Nathaniel B. Palmer?

Week 5
31 July 2006

Section I
Who works on the Nathaniel B. Palmer?