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Ocean • Visitors
taking the Marine Mammal Cruise at the
Dana Point Ocean Institute have the opportunity
to study ocean life on the R/V Sea Explorer. Bentley
Cavazzi / Dana Point Ocean Institute
Ocean
Institute offers many options for marine
enthusiasts
By
Kara Ogushi
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
Dolphins, sea lions and pelicans, oh my! The Ocean Institute in Dana Point
features all three of these animals on their Marine Mammal Cruise.
Visitors are led onto the R/V Sea Explorer, a 70-foot floating laboratory with
five distinct teaching areas equipped with video microscopes, touch tanks and
viewing aquariums. There are many places to sit and enjoy the ride but the
best seat on the boat is in the front.
Visitors are able to view microscopic plankton and identify the various animals
that live in sediment retrieved from the ocean floor during the cruise by an
otter net, a large net that is dragged along the bottom of the ocean floor.
The mouth of the net is held open by two wooden “doors,” located
on either side of the net. A Peterson Grab is also used to grab a sample of
sediment from the bottom of the ocean to be analyzed.
The highlight of the trip I took recently was when a large pod of 20-25 playful
common dolphins began to swim with the boat or “bow ride.” It is
a beautiful and exciting sight to see the dolphins so closely you can almost
touch them. They also “tail slapped” the water to either communicate
to each other or display anger.
At first we almost weren’t able to catch up to the dolphins because they
are able to swim at 9 knots (10 mph). It was absolutely worth it to see the
mothers and young calves swimming in unison together.
As we moved away from the dolphins, our guide informed us that the dolphins
enjoyed playing with the boats the most when they went fast. As we sped away
from the dolphins, one of them leaped out of the water and made a perfect splash,
just like in the movies.
As we sailed across the open waters we came upon a herd of California sea lions
lounging on top of a buoy. Our guide explained that the herd climbs up onto
the buoys or raises their flippers out of the water to warm up their bodies.
We encountered only one bull in this herd and seven to eight females in the
group. He was the only one in the water, but when he roared in protest the
females dropped off the buoy like flies.
The cruise lasted around two hours and ended with a visit to the local brown
pelicans who completely dominated the rocks of the harbor. The birds were diving
and preening one another but their smell was what we noticed first.
The Marine mammal cruise is one of many programs the Ocean Institute hosts.
They also host whale watching tours, “Pyrate” Adventure Sail, Bioluminescence
Cruise and a Pilgrim Overnight trip where you spend the night on the ship.
Members are able to attend the trips for free while adult tickets cost $5.50.
For schedules and other information, contact the Ocean Institute at (949) 496-2274
or visit their Web site at http://www.ocean-institute.org. |
