California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations

Each standard CalCOFI station usually includes the following:

• A Seabird 9/11plus CTD/Rosette consisting of 24 10-liter hydrographic bottles is lowered to 500 meters (depth permitting) measuring physical parameters (temperature, salinity, oxygen, fluorescence, transmittance, NO3 and PAR); bottles are closed at discrete depths isolating seawater for analysis of: oxygen concentration, salinity, nutrients, chlorophyll and phytoplankton.
• A CalBOBL (CalCOFI Bongo) standard oblique plankton tow with 300 meters of wire out, depth permitting, using paired 505 um mesh nets with 71 cm diameter openings. The technical requirements for this tow are: Descent rate of 50 meters per minute. All tows with ascending wire angles lower than 38 degrees or higher than 51 degrees in the final 100 meters of wire will be repeated. Additionally, a 45 degrees wire angle should be closely maintained during the ascent and descent of the net frame. The Bongo frame is fitted with a self-contained OPC (Optical Particle Counter) mounted inside the port side opening.
• A Manta net (neuston) tow, using a 505 um mesh net on a frame with a mouth area of 0.1333 m^2.
• A Pairovet (vertical) plankton tow is performed at all stations inshore of, and including station 70. The Pairovet net fishes from 70 meters to the surface (depth permitting) using paired 25 cm diameter 150 um mesh nets. The technical requirements for Pairovet tows are: Descent rate of 70 meters per minute, ascent rate of 70 meters per minute. All tows with wire angles exceeding 15 degrees during the ascent will be repeated.
• A PRPOOS (Planktonic Rate Processes in Oligotrophic Ocean Systems) vertical net tow is performed at all stations on line 90.0 and 80.0 as well as stations out to and including station 70.0 on lines 86.7 and 83.3. These stations are occupied as part of the LTER(Long Term Ecological Reserve) project. The mesh of the PRPOOS net is 202 um and the tow is a vertical cast up from 210 meters.

Most necessities are provided by the ship but a few amenities can make the cruise more comfortable: 

•  Seasick medication – If you know you are prone to seasickness, bring any medication you know works for you.  Marezine, Meclizine, Bonine, Dramamine or Scopolamine anti-seasick medications are some examples – some work for some people; some have side effects; some dosages require a prescription.  The ship can provide over-the-counter remedies but we suggest consulting your doctor/pharmacist & bringing your own.  Summer and fall cruises are usually calm but the weather can get rough any time of year
• Clothes you can layer – It is better to wear layers instead of heavy jackets etc since you will be moving in and out of the lab.  Even summer cruises can be cool (even cold) so always bring a windbreaker and sweater or sweatshirt.
• Boots – Preferably rubber; your feet will be wet constantly.   Comfortable, waterproof boots are a necessity since you will be sampling from the CTD and nets.  The more comfortable the better but even cheap ones are better than wet tennies.
• Hardhat - NOAA vessels require hardhats during loading and while working on deck.  The ship will provide one but bring one if you prefer your own.
• Closed-toed shoes (or boots) are mandatory while working on deck.  Steel-toed shoes/boots are great if you have them.
• Rain gear – foul-weather jacket and pants are worth taking along.  We can provide a few pair but sizes vary so if you have something waterproof, bring it.
• Sun protection – sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and Chap Stick – you can minimize your sun exposure but these are worth bringing.
• Toiletries and medications (decongestant, Advil, etc) – the ship provides the necessities (linens, soap, etc) but bring your own personal hygiene products.  The ship is relatively small so consider bathing regularly a courtesy to other people.
• Bathrobe & shower shoes – makes getting to and from the head more convenient.
• Workout clothes/gear – a stationary bike, stair-stepper, mat, and bench/free weights are available.
• Books, magazines & music – the ship has a magazine & paperback library plus movies but the selection can vary.
• Binoculars & camera – sightings of birds and marine mammals such as seals, whales or porpoises are common on CalCOFI.
• Snacks and goodies – the ship provides lots of these but if you are particular, bring it. Midnight watch-standers often bring soups; tuna and other food items since meals are not serve from 6pm to 730am. There are sandwich fixings, cereals, misc leftovers and you can request the cooks set aside a plate of food from dinner. 
• One or more week’s worth of clothes – laundry facilities are available but you should bring enough clothes since the machines will be unavailable during rough weather.
• Fishing pole – trolling for albacore is common, especially summer and fall, so if you like fishing and have a heavy pole with some jigs, bring them.
• Soft luggage – we recommend using soft luggage to stow your clothes and other personal gear ie duffel bags, backpacks, etc. because large hard suitcases will not fit into your stateroom closet/locker.
• Alarm Clock – Very useful especially if you are switching over to the midnight watch.