Goodbye to Amercian Samoa

by Jamison Gove

The Hi'ialakai heads to Jarvis Island

After spending nearly six weeks conducting coral reef research in and around American Samoa, the day has finally arrived to say our goodbyes to the island of Tutuila. With all twenty-two scientists and twenty-five crew members aboard, the Hi′ialakai cast off her lines from the pier early this morning and made a slow and steady departure out of Pago Pago, gently swaying back and forth as we emerged from the quiescent harbor and into the rolling seas of the open ocean. Heading northeast, we’ve now begun the five day journey to Jarvis Island, our first destination of the third and final leg of this expedition. These next few days will be filled with safety drills, scientific planning meetings, trainings, and gear preparation in anticipation for our arrival to Jarvis.