The ship left port at about 0900 in perfect weather, warm, no clouds, and calm seas. After a safety drill and initial all hands meeting to go over the science plan, the visual observers got their equipment ready to work, and they started observations after lunch. We are transiting through the Pelagos Sanctuary today, so our only marine mammal related activity is sighting for marine mammals. The visual observers sighted large numbers of sea turtles and dolphins in the good visibility conditions, along with two Cuvier’s beaked whales, and a fin and two sperm whales in the distance. The more complicated installation and testing of acoustic gear is underway.
