Date: January 14 (?)


We are at 63 south and seasoaring with a passion. The subsurface
manifestation  of the front was clear and near the same location as the
last two cruises yet  the surface manifestation has yet to outcrop.  We are
steaming south in 2.5  degree surface water which overlays -1.5 degree
water only 30 to 35 meters below  us.  Silicates are still low as if
Process I calm weather stabilized the water  column and allowed nutrients
to be depleted in this thin mixed layer.  This is  also born out in the
underway PCO2 data (270 ppm) and there is a strong  fluorescence signal
associated with the shallow thermocline.  We are hoping that  the transect
south will spatially reveal the temporal evolution of the bloom we  now see
remnants of at 50 m. So, all is well and surface water underway
measurements are continuing smoothly.  Although all groups are getting
plenty of  underway water, the natives are restless for some vertical
profile stations.  We  may like to see the seasoar transect further south,
but the question could  become a tradeoff between planned activities.  We
understand that the ice edge  data from the Navy via SIO is pack ice that
would impede the progress of an  icebreaker and not necessarily
representative of the sea ice coverage that would  put an end to our
southerly sojourn. Any indication of the northerly extent of  sea ice and
it's relative coverage would be very helpful at this time.  So far,  we are
on schedule but as we push south past 66 we will begin to shave time off
some of our other activities.  Seas are still calm, winds only 18 knots and
air  temperatures about 1 degree. I hope all is well
Kenneth Coale