On the morning of September 16, the water surface looked like liquid metal, and was so smooth to be classified a 'Beaufort 1' on the 1-12 scale describing the sea state. On such days, and especially when the sky is clear, sighting marine mammals is easiest for marine mammal observers like Sue Moore.

On the morning of September 16, the water surface looked like liquid metal. In fact, it was smooth enough to be classified as a "Beaufort 1" on the 1-to-12 scale describing the sea state. On such days, and especially when the sky is clear, sighting marine mammals is easiest for marine mammal observers like Sue Moore. Image courtesy of 2009 RUSALCA expedition, RAS-NOAA.

Related Links

RUSALCA 2009

RUSALCA 2009: September 21 Log

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery