Facilities
- Berths
- Mess
- Laundry
- Operating Spaces
- Potable Water
- Disposal
- Recreation
Berthing Facilities
Each stateroom has berths for two scientists. Adjoining staterooms share a head and shower accessible from each room. Berthing assignments are made by the Chief Scientist. Clean sheets, pillowcases and towels are located in the ship's laundry (2nd platform deck aft). We ask that you wash your own bed linen during the cruise because there is no laundry service available while at sea. Check the ship's laundry schedule for your designated laundry day.
There is no steward service; scientists are responsible for keeping their quarters clean and orderly. Upon completion of the cruise, the departing scientists shall give their quarters a thorough cleaning so they will be habitable for the next occupants.
With the exception of the Master, no one shall enter another's quarters when unoccupied or without express invitation of the occupant.
Click Here to download a berthing map.
Messing and Mess Facilities
The mess area can accommodate thirty people at one sitting. Meals are served cafeteria style during hours posted on the bulletin board. The ending time of a meal indicates the time one should expect to finish and not to arrive in line. Do not loiter on the mess deck after eating as it may be necessary to have additional seatings.
The galley refrigerator is stocked for snacks and night lunches after the evening meal. Nighttime users of the galley must properly dispose of all trash and leave the galley in an orderly condition. A Midnight Meal is not provided onboard.
Suitable clothing will be worn at all meals. Shoes and shirts are mandatory. The ship represents a common home for scientific personnel and operating crew; simple courtesy dictates that conduct, including wearing apparel, be within acceptable standards.
| Meal Hours in Port | Meal Hours at Sea | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
| 0715-0800 | 1130-1200 | 1700-1800 | 0715-0800 | 1130-1215 | 1700-1800 | |
While underway, science activities will sometimes interfere with meals. If you are not able to eat during regular meal hours, ask the Chief Steward or Cook to "hold a plate" for you. If you have to maintain a special diet, please discuss it with the Chief Steward.
Laundry
Ship's Laundry Schedule
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Ch. Mate 2nd Mate 3rd Mate MT/ET#1 |
ABs OSs |
Ch. Engineer 1st Engineer 2nd Engineer 3rd Engineer Ch. Steward MT/ET#2 |
2nd Cook Messperson Oilers Wipers |
Rm #2 Rm #17 Rm #18 Rm #19 Rm #20 Rm #21 |
Rm #23 Rm #24 Rm #25 Rm #27 Rm #28 Rm #29 |
Rm #30 Rm #31 Rm #32 Rm #33 Rm #34 Rm #35 |
Please use the facilities only on your assigned day.
Laundry detergent, bleach and fabric softener can be found in the linen locker in the laundry room.
Laundry days for the science party are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please attend to your laundry and don't tie up the machines - you may find your laundry in a basket still wet!
If you have emergency laundry needs, arrange usage of the facilities with the Captain.
The Thompson DOES NOT have a weekly linen service. If you want clean bedding during the cruise you must wash your bedding on your designated laundry day.
Operating Spaces
Members of the scientific party are encouraged to move about the ship and familiarize themselves with the operating spaces and procedures of the officers and crew. There are some restrictions to be observed with respect to the Engine Room and the Bridge areas. The Engine Room and auxiliary machinery spaces pose personnel hazards both in moving parts and noise. If a tour of machinery space is desired, the scientist should request a guided tour from the Chief Engineer.
The Bridge area is the operating center for the ship and access is limited by law. Therefore, the Bridge shall not be entered without the express permission of the officer on watch. When not interfering with navigation, or when their presence is necessary as part of the observational program, permission will generally be granted to members of the scientific party to enter the Bridge or After Control Station.
The Bridge equipment is for the use of watch personnel and shall not be monopolized by observers. When the ship is operating in restricted waters, reduced visibility, heavy traffic, or in docking and undocking, no observers are permitted except with permission of the Master.
Potable Water
The potable water supply on board is limited in both rate of production and storage capacity. Therefore, all members of the scientific party are requested to conserve water at all times. This can be done by using water sparingly when showering and by laundering only when necessary and with full loads. The laundry is secured in port. All members of the scientific party should do their final laundry at least twelve hours before the ship reaches port. Water notices are posted on the bulletin board in the mess area.
Refuse Disposal
The ship complies with Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 which forbids the overboard discharge of all plastics and severely restricts all other overboard disposal. To aid in compliance, the R/V THOMPSON has an incinerator, a trash compactor, and garbage comminuter. No refuse shall be thrown overboard without the permission of the Master.
While In Port
Please use the shoreside disposal containers and recycling containers because the ship can not incinerate garbage while in port.
Prior to Departure
Dispose of ALL waste in shoreside containers prior to the ship's departure. We like to keep our waste disposal to a minimum while out at sea!
Make sure that boxes and shipping containers you will need for your trip home are properly stored. If you don't, you may find that they have been recycled when you look for them at the end of the cruise. Storage areas are located in the forward and aft science holds.
When Underway
During the course of a normal cruise waste is separated into burnable, wet garbage, aluminum cans, tin cans and glass bottles. On the mess decks you will find marked containers for each type of waste. In the labs you will also find containers for burnables and cans. When your trash cans are full bag the trash and take the burnable trash to the incinerator room (01 level aft), aluminum and tin cans to the scullery.
WARNING |
You may injure someone if you put combustible items, chemical waste or sharp objects into the burnable trash containers. |
BURNABLE items include: |
Paper, cardboard, and plastic items. |
NOT |
Aerosol cans, oily rags, containers of flammables, razor blades, hypodermic needles, broken glass or used batteries. |
|
Recreation
TV Lounge
The television lounge is open 24 hrs a day for video viewing. The "Feature Movie" begins at 2000 hrs local when at sea. This movie takes precedence over all other movies playing at this time so be sure to schedule your movie viewing with this in mind. Remember, the ship operates 24 hrs a day which means watch standers are trying to sleep throughout the day. Keep the volume down so you don't disturb those individuals trying to sleep. Thank You!
Library
The ships library has a good selection of reading material. Please bring back the books that you borrow when you have finished so that others can enjoy them. Magazines are located in the TV Lounge magazine rack. Board games are available in the library for your entertainment. Computer games may be found on some of the library computers, these computer games are not provided by the UW or the ship so don't bother the marine techs with software problems you may encounter.
Ping Pong
The ship has a ping pong table. If space is available in the main lab you may set up the table and enjoy a good game of ping pong with your shipmates.
Fishing
Fishing is a favorite past time on the T. G. Thompson. Trolling is scheduled whenever possible on a NOT TO INTERFERE basis with scientific activities.
Exercise Room
Located in the aft berthing area is the exercise room. Stationary bicycles, a treadmill, and small weight lifting equipment are there for all to use. Once again people may be sleeping in the area so please be quiet and DO NOT slam weights down on the deck!