Shakiya Ingram and Vandell McGill, undergraduate students in The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) Oceanography and Ocean Mapping program, recently returned from a life-changing ocean-mapping research cruise aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s vessel, Nancy Foster, in Charleston, S.C.
The nine-day cruise brought together 18 students from across the country to collect hydrographic survey data and cover more than 560 square nautical miles. The data contributed to NOAA’s charting mission, a major initiative aimed at mapping the seafloor. Ingram and McGill had the opportunity to survey previously unmapped areas and explore unique underwater features. They also gained experience in shipboard communication and emergency procedures.
“This cruise prepared me to communicate effectively, learn safety protocols and handle challenging situations at sea,” Ingram said. “I learned that communication goes both ways, and everyone on board respected one another and their roles. Everyone played a major part on the ship.”
Shakiya Ingram
“I enjoyed interpreting the survey data and diving into the research,” McGill said. “I felt this trip truly prepared me for a future in the field.”
Ingram and McGill were selected for the opportunity by their marine science professor, Calvin Martin, who said both students represented the Oceanography and Ocean Mapping program with excellence.
“This cruise gave them invaluable hands-on experience with advanced hydrographic technologies and real-world survey operations that simply can’t be replicated in the classroom,” Martin said. “These kinds of opportunities bridge the gap between our academic curriculum and the professional hydrographic community they are about to join.”
Vandell McGill
Ingram worked the night shift aboard Nancy Foster, conducting salinity, temperature and depth casts-deploying instruments into the water to collect environmental data crucial to the mapping project. She used newly learned communication techniques, including hand signals, to coordinate with the crane operator during data collection. McGill recalled time spent on the ship’s bridge, where he navigated and piloted the vessel.
For both students, the research cruise solidified their passion for hydrography. The technical and interpersonal skills they developed provided a strong foundation for their future careers.
“This research cruise prepared me for so much,” Ingram said. “I feel like I can handle being out at sea. There wasn’t a dull moment—we were a family on the ship. We cared for one another.”
Ingram and McGill are set to graduate this academic year and plan to pursue careers in hydrography and ocean science.