The SEA-EU research cruise was a complete success! On July 2, at 11.30 am, the ship of the University of Gdańsk, r/v Oceanograf, arrived at the wharf at Targ Rybny in Gdańsk. He was welcomed there by the university authorities, the academic community, the vice-president of Gdańsk, Monika Chabior, and a brass band. The ship and the ceremony also attracted the attention of numerous walkers.
– We did everything as well as the weather allowed. The crew is healthy, the ship is intact – reported the ship’s captain, MSc Eng. Andrew Wawrzyniak.
This is the r/v Oceanograf’s first expedition outside the Baltic Sea. As part of the voyage, the UG ship entered the Kiel Canal, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay.
– It’s an absolutely amazing moment. After 4.5 thousand miles of an extraordinary journey, today we welcome our Oceanographer to the home port – said the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski.
The rector presented all the advantages of the cruise. From educating students from SEA-EU universities, through scientific research, to strengthening ties between European seaside universities. Prof. Piotr Stepnowski then thanked everyone involved in the organization of the entire project:
– The cruise would not have been a success without the hard work of many people. The list is very long, so let me, remembering all those involved in the organization of the cruise, research and events in the ports where Oceanograf moored – I would like to thank their representatives. And so: I would like to thank the crew of r/v Oceanograf headed by Captain Andrzej Wawrzyniak, the scientific team headed by dr Aleksandra Brodecka-Goluch, the coordinator of the scientific committee of prof. Adam Sokołowski, chief hydrographer dr Jakub Idczak, dean of the Faculty of Oceanography and Geography prof. Waldemar Surosz, Director of the Institute of Oceanography prof. Mariusz Sapota and admiral Jędrzej Czajkowski. I would also like to thank Vice-Chancellor Leszek Fiertek for his involvement in the organization of technical matters, without which scientists would not be able to conduct research at the Oceanograph – said the Rector. However, this group is not limited to our compatriots. As I mentioned, the SEA-EU cruise is the result of international cooperation. So thank you to the coordinator of the entire SEA-EU alliance, Fidel Echevarria. In addition, Daniel Gonzales Fernandez from the University of Cadiz, who led one of the research projects, scientists from the University of Brest – Jérôme Goslin and Matthieu Waeles, with whom cooperation in the field of atmospheric pollution research will be continued to a greater extent also after the cruise, as well as scientific partners from the University of Kiel, e.g. Jens Schneider, who co-created the research agenda in the field of hydroacoustic research. During the second leg of the voyage, the scientific team also included a PhD student from the University of Odessa – Ksenia Andreeva, whom I would also like to thank for invaluable help in collecting research material.
The return of the research unit of the University of Gdańsk also attracted the attention of the city authorities of Gdańsk. – It’s beautiful when romance meets science. This is what the world needs right now. I am very impressed with what the University of Gdańsk has done – said the Vice-President of Gdańsk, Monika Chabior.
Also present on the shore were UG scientists who, on their way to Spain, collected samples of sediments, water and air for three international research projects. – We managed to download over 90 percent. material. It is a huge success considering all the adversities that have arisen during the cruise. We have hundreds of samples for subsequent biological and chemical research. In addition, we have collected hundreds of gigabytes of hydroacoustic data – summed up the scientific aspect of the cruise dr Aleksandra Brodecka-Goluch, scientific director of the cruise.
Prof. Piotr Stepnowski and Vice President Monika Chabior symbolically ended the expedition by ringing the bell together.
Photo: Alan Stocki
Text: Marcel Jakubowski / Zespół Prasowy UG