By Leesa Naidoo (BSc. Marine Biology and BSc. (Hons) Marine Biology)
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The day I received the email notifying me that I was chosen as a candidate for the cruise, I literally ran through my house like a crazy person, singing out the fantastic news to all those in my wake. The time before the cruise felt like a lifetime away but before I knew it, it was already June and my time to sail had finally arrived. I had no idea of what to expect but I was ready for a little adventure on board the Sonne. The ship is fantastic in all aspects. It’s filled with the most welcoming and friendly crew and an abundance of food. We were always happy, with the odd exception of seasickness. Even that was cured by the on board doctor with the “magic” pills.

Our work began after a short journey from Walvis Bay to the Walvis Ridge. As a biologist, my knowledge of all things rocky was limited to basic school geography and entry level university earth science. After seeing the dredging procedure and getting my hands dirty with some oceanic crust, I started to become interested and curious to learn more.  While monitoring various screens in the hope of a promising peak indicating the possibility of some good rocks, I became quite caught up in the world of rocks and for a short time I forgot all about the fascinating life of the sea and focussed all my thoughts on these interesting rocks which I would otherwise overlook entirely.

I was soon reminded of my love for marine life as I witnessed my first deep sea trawl and the excitement bubbled within me as the net eventually got pulled back up. Soon after, the catch was brought into the laboratory for us to admire and “play” with the various magnificent self-illuminating creatures and other well adapted mesopelagic organisms. We got to see various crustaceans, squid, different types of fish, jellies, polychaetes, salps, chaetognaths, and the highlight for us all was a really cool angler fish.

Self-illuminating organism from the deep sea. Photo: Leesa Naidoo.

Once the sampling period was over we enjoyed lectures from the various scientists on board and had the opportunity to add some theory to our existing practical knowledge. Life at sea was not a crazy time of work alone. In between the sampling and lectures we were entertained with movie nights, card games, tours of the engine room, trips around the ship on a little motor boat, and of course enjoying the company of the various scientists and crew members on board.

Working in the Lab. Photo: Ulrich Mattheus

All in all, these two short weeks of life at sea have been incredible. This experience has been life changing and I am excited to have a renewed love for what I do as a scientist in the making. I have learned so much, in terms of science, the sea, a hint of German, and life itself. The wonderful people I have met, from Germany, Britain, France, Australia and Namibia, will forever remain with me because they were all pivotal parts of my little adventure.

Life at sea – a little adventure. Photo: Ulrich Mattheus