GENERAL INFORMATION
RV Melville (34-foot converted fishing boat)
U.S. Department of Commerce
NMFS
Hydrographic Cruise Miami, Florida to Flamingo, Florida
28-31 January 1973
2 observers (G.E. Lingle and G.M. Mohr)
Eye level of observers: 16 feet above water
Average ship speed: 8.0 knots during continuous watch
Continuous watch information (refer to[ Fig. B1]):
| Leg | Date | Start time | End time | Start position | End position | Weather—Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 2/28 | 1200 | 1730 | U. Miami Dock Va. Key | 25-42N 80-02W | Beaufort II Visibility 3 miles |
| 3-4 | 2/29 | 0800 | 1500 | 24-26N 80-04E | 25-00N 81-04W | Beaufort I Visibility 3.5 miles |
| 5-6 | 2/30 | 0700 | 1680 | 25-12N 80-46W | 25-12N 81-10W | 3.5 miles |
| 7-8 | 2/31 | 0700 | 0900 | 25-00 80-45W | Flamingo | 3.5 miles |
Cetacean observations (refer to [Fig. B1]):
| A‑2/28 1048 | 16 bottlenosed dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. 6 miles outside our course, headed west—rode bow briefly. Large concentrations of sea birds in area. One porpoise freeze branded N-1 on dorsal fin. |
| B‑2/29 1100 | 2 right whales directly ahead of vessel headed NE—40-foot female? with calf. 2 bottlenosed dolphins accompanying the whales were riding pressure wave off whale's head. |
| C‑2/29 1400 | 25-30 spotted porpoises, Stenella plagiodon, 1.25 miles outside our course, heading 240° mag. Did not ride bow wave. |
| D‑2/30 1300 | 8 bottlenosed dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, 200-300 yards inshore of our course, milling in area of concentrations of mullet and other small schooling fishes, dolphins (porpoises) and birds feeding on fish. |
[SIGHTING INFORMATION]
| DATE AND LOCAL TIME [Handwriting: 27 January 1977 0845] | LOCATION[13] [Handwriting: Ca. 25°00'N, 80°30'W] |
| WEATHER CONDITIONS [Handwriting: Scattered rain squalls, visibility 1-1.5 mi, Temp 42°F] | |
| OCEANOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS[14] [Handwriting: Swells 1-2 feet, scattered white capsWinds from S.E. @ 3-8 knots, gusting in squalls to 15 knots.] | |
| SPECIES[15] [Handwriting: Right Whales, Eubalaena glacialis (45 ft/15 ft)] | NUMBER OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: 2] |
| HEADING OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: 015°] | SPEED OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: 1-2] |
| (MAGNETIC) | (KNOTS) |
| ASSOCIATED ORGANISMS[16] [Handwriting: Bottlenosed dolphins, Tursiops truncatus (3)and unidentified gulls (10-20)] | |
| TAGS OR UNUSUAL MARKINGS [Handwriting: One whale had deep slash across back about3 ft. behind blowholes-area of slash was white.] | |
| CHARACTERISTICS OBSERVED WHICH RESULTED IN SPECIES IDENTIFICATION [Handwriting: 45 ft, Nodorsal fin, smooth black back, high arching jaws, yellowish-orangegrowths on head, coastal habitat] | |
| BEHAVIOR OF ANIMAL(S) [Handwriting: Adult whale swam steadily north, calf closebeside, Bottlenosed dolphins riding in front of adults head.] | |
| SKETCHES [Hand-drawn illustration of whales, dolphins and distinguishing features.] | |
| PHOTOS AVAILABLE YES [tick] NO | |
| [Handwriting: Photos (GEL, Roll 16, frames 8-30)] | |
| ADDITIONAL REMARKS [Handwriting: Dolphins remained with whales entire 1/2 hour ofobservation, appently riding on pressure wave.] | |
| NAME AND ADDRESS OF OBSERVER (SHIP OR A/C) [Handwriting: G. E. Lingle,Naval Undersea Center, San Diego, California 92132 andG. A. Antonelis, NMFS, Seattle, Washington 98105 aboard the RVCape] | |
[13] If latitude and longitude are not readily available, record best available position, for example 5 hours at 10 knots, SE of Miami.
[14] Any oceanographic or bathymetric information obtainable at the time of sighting may be significant. Such measurements as water depth, presence of large fish schools, or deep scattering layer/organisms (DSL) characteristics of the bottom (e.g., flat sand plain, sea mount, submarine cliff), surface temperature, depth of thermocline, and salinity should be included if available. In the Pacific, similar data have been used to demonstrate reliable associations there between saddleback dolphins and significant features of bottom relief and relationships between the onset of their nighttime deep diving (feeding) patterns and the upward migration of the scattering layers.
[15] Sometimes two or more species of cetacean are found together. If more than one species is sighted, try to identify each. Give both common and scientific names of each, and even if you cannot identify the animal(s) describe, sketch, and, if possible, photograph them and fill out the rest of the sighting report.
[16] Describe any tags seen (see Appendix A) and state their size, shape, color, and position on the animal's body and any symbols or numbers they contain.