November 2102 Expedition - A physician at sea
Before setting out to sea, I found myself preparing for a flood but hoping for little less than a drizzle. My cabin (I have learnt not to refer to it as my room) is packed with vital medical supplies but happily the team are creating very little work for me; vulnerable toes are covered, hands are sporting the latest in protective wear and the team are layered in sun cream with water bottles close at hand at all times. Other than a few cuts and grazes, sea sickness and a touch of upset stomachs, I have had very little in terms of medicine to do, which is great as it has allowed me to get involved and learn more about why this area is so unique whilst helping out where I can.
Peter has been teaching me about sea birds and I have also learnt how to coil, splice and back splice ropes! My most vivid learning experience however has been preparing bait. This was something my recently pedicured toes were not expecting and an experience I am unlikely to forget. Borrowing the winemakers old fashioned technique of using your feet to mash grapes, I’ve been using my feet to squash 30 kilograms of thawing pilchards. Then dispensing the resultant product amongst bait dispensers first thing in the morning is certainly one way of waking oneself up.
We are fortunate to have an amazing crew on board; they are very hard working and helpful and the galley crew can be heard singing and rapping as they create a range of culinary delights around the clock. I must also mention Jasper, Peter’s dog, who tolerates hours of petting and cuddling from all on board.
We are just halfway through now and I hope the remainder of the expedition continues as it has started and we end with a full complement of healthy scientists who have fulfilled their valuable goals in this amazing location.
Jasjot Singhota
For me, having a doctor on board the Marlin did come in very useful - there was me thinking since I originally come from the Seychelles and having been on boats on many occasions before, that this would be smooth sailing. As we set sail I woke up very seasick and spent a whole day in bed. But thanks to Jas, our medic, I recovered fully by the next day and have since then been enjoying, and making the most of, being part of this amazing expedition. Helping and taking part in different work, including the love we all share for the delicate preparation of pilchards in the mornings.
Rudy
En dokterlo lanmer
Avan nou komanse monnn vwar mon lekor pe prepar pou en linondasyon me pe esper pa plis ki en pti lapli. Mon kabin ( monnn apran pou aret apel li mon lasanm) i plen avek bann latizann medikal tres enportan me erezman sa tim pe donn mwan en pti giny travay; tou bann ledwa lipye pe gany kouver, lanmen pe gany met dan ban diferan legan ek tim antye i kouver avek lakrenm soley e boutey delo i toultan pre. Apar detwa koupe ek grife, malad de mer ek malad vant monn napa enta pou fer an term medisin pou fer, ki bon akoz i donn mwan sans pou pran par e apran plis lo akoz sa landwa i tre inik pandan ki mon ede kot mon kapab.
Peter in montre mwan enpe lo bann zwazo lanmer e monn osi apran kimanyer pou anmar lakord detwa fason ! Mon eksperyans pli vivid i kimanyer pou prepar labwet. Sa i en keksoz mon resaman pedikir ledwa lipye pa ti pe ekspekte e i en esperyans ki mon pa pou obliye. Kraz 30 kilogranm bann pti pwason ki apel pilchards e dispers li dan bann tib ki nou met sa labwet pou dispers dousman dan lanmer ler nou large, pou fer sa premye granmaten i sertennman en fason pou leve bomaten
Nou osi fortinen pou annan en bon group lekip lo bato; zot vreman travay dir e pare pou ede osi bann ki travay dan lakwizin nou tann zot pe sante e rap anmentan ki zot prepar nou bann diferan manze pou lazournen. Mon osi pou mansyonn Jasper, Lisyen Peter, ki toler gany karese e maye avek nou tou lo bato.
Noun ariv lanmwatye e espere ki larestan sa lekspedisyon i kontinyen parey in komanse e nou finir avek bann siantis kin reisir fer zot travay dan en lokasyon parey.
Jasjot Singhota
Pou mwan annan en dokter abor Marlin i ti tre enportan, mon ti mazinen ki akoz mon sorti Sesel e monn al lo bato plizyer fwa ki mon pou ok. Premye zour ki nou komanse mon ti leve avek mal de mer e pas lazournen lo lili. Me mersi pou Jas nou dokter kin ed mwan rekouver totalman ki dezyenm zour monn kapab komans fer tou e pran par dan bann diferan travay dan sa lekspedisyon, ki enkli sa lanmour ki nou tou nou annan pou sa preparasyon delika pou labwet granmaten.
Rudy