What's an SSSG?

SSSG stands for Shipboard Scientific Services Group.

The SSSGs are the shipboard technicians who keep everything related to the scientific mission of the cruise running smoothly.

The three major vessels in the fleet normally have an SSSG technician assigned to all cruises. The two largest ships (the R/V Knorr and the R/V Atlantis) have 2 technicians on each cruise. This means that on these two vessels, there is 24 hour technical assistance available to help make sure the scientific operation runs smoothly. What luck!

SSSGs Amy Simoneau and Robbie Laird.

Our 2 cruise SSSGs are Amy Simoneau and Robbie Laird. And, we are lucky on this cruise to have a third technical support person -- Peter Lemmond, who is here as the at-sea SeaBeam support person.

SeaBeam Technician Peter Lemmond.

Amy and Robbie are responsible for making sure the ship's data collection systems are working correctly and for the logging and data distribution systems (this means all of the sensors, computers, display devices, cabling -- everything that records data onboard the ship).

They also maintain, calibrate, prepare and operate (and teach us how to operate!) all of the general-use research equipment onboard the ship -- everything from the over-the-side instrumentation (like the CTD and box core) to the Chirp and ACDP systems to the printers and plotters. Plus, they maintain the ship's computer system -- including the internet connection that allows this blog to exist!

Finally (well, not really -- they do so much it is difficult to list it all here!), the SSSGs also serve as the scientific interface with the crew in many operations, assisting the Boatswain and other crew members as needed. They make sure the scientists do what they are supposed to do when it comes to operating instruments and staying safe.

In short, Amy and Robbie make sure that everything is working properly so the scientists can go about their research without too many glitches. And, when glitches do happen (like when the printers don't work, or the Chirp system is not recording properly, or the internet goes down), Amy and Robbie are there to set things straight. (Assuming of course, that we didn't crash the internet by forgetting that we are at sea and do have to be careful with bandwidth!)

Amy to the rescue!

So, how does one get to be an SSSG? Amy tells me that she was once thinking about continuing on for her Ph.D. and becoming a research scientist. The only problem was that she was interested in too many things! She liked being involved in many different kinds of projects on many different topics. She also liked the idea of traveling the world and meeting lots of different people. Plus, as we found out quickly at the beginning of the cruise, she has a gift for making things work. Her interest in all things scientific, her great hands-on technical ability, and her can-do (and will do!) attitude seem like perfect characteristics for an SSSG. They sure work for Amy (and for us)!

Today, Amy and Robbie and Peter ar busy preparing for our arrival in port. They are preparing final data files for the PIs to take home with them, helping us put the labs back into shape for the next cruise and pack the containers that hold all of our samples (and some of our instrumentation), and generally getting us ready to leave the ship with everything we need to continue this research.

Without our SSSGs, we would have a very hard time out here!

So, thanks Amy, Robbie, and Peter. You've really helped make our cruise a success.