On the Gould, Suprisingly

As the title suggests, I am on board the Laurence M. Gould again. A surprising turn of events unfolded today. The primary one being a medical emergency which had the LMG pull into port for 2 hours, load everyone who was supposed to leave on September 5 with all their luggage, samples, etc. The last few days have been involved and intense. Yesterday morning we switched to 24 hour operations, making for extremely long days for some of us. Ken, Lily and I switched to 4 hour shifts, mine after the normal work day, was 4am to 8am and every eight hours afterwards. Lights were set up on the pier and the rest of station volunteered for 2 hour time slots throughout the night and day. We worked hard to get the fishing line up and as of this afternoon were able to remove about 120 feet of it. When the medical emergency arose I, along with a number of other Palmerites, was sent to my room and told to be ready to board the Gould in a matter of hours. The fishing line still prevents the LMG from tying up to the pier so we walked slowly across the sea ice, with our bags in hand. A Zodiac was dragged along the ice to transport cargo, and now we are just about to embark across the Drake. Two options seem to be on the table. A stop at King George Island where the patient can be flown via airplane to a hospital. Or, since the situation is far from dire presently, a speedy return to Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina.

That's the scoop. It has been an intense few days, and walking onto the Gould as a Marine Technician to work with a crew I haven't worked with yet is a little daunting. Though my spirits are high with a bit of an adventure under my belt and plenty of great things to look forward to. I loved my time at Palmer. I will have to figure out some new arrangements for my travel plans. Primarily what to do with the extra two weeks I will have in Chile. Also, the great and general unknown afterwards.