Meet Brett Grant

Meet Brett Grant

What is your job title?

Oceanography Technician.

What do you study and why is it important?

My main area of interest is looking at water currents, both nearshore and deepwater. This involves collection of data from moorings, RV Tangaroa, and from smaller vessels for shallow water work. This information can be used for a range of research areas ranging from tidal flow analysis, right through to deep ocean circulation.

What will you be doing on the voyage?

Operating the CTD to measure water properties throughout a vertical profile and to collect water samples from pre-determined depths; collecting transitory current profiles using equipment mounted on the hull of the ship; recovering scientific moorings which were deployed this time last year.

Where were you educated?

University of Waikato.

How did you become interested in the ocean?

Mostly from summer holidays spent at the beach. I was always interested in the erosion/deposition processes that built up the beach and subsequently washed it away again.

Do you get seasick? And if so, any tips on how not to?

Usually at the beginning of a trip it will be a factor. I don’t take any drugs - fresh air, lots of water (take a bottle with you to carry around the ship!) and plenty of things to take your mind off it seem to be the best combination. Crackers and ginger nuts are the food of choice.

What do you enjoy about your work?

The variety it offers - a mixture of office, field, and sea time.

What are some of the challenges you face?

Rough weather is a key factor - not only for personal comfort but for the ability to collect data, and also in data corruption. I maintain that one of the hardest challenges when at sea is trying to make the bed within the confined bunk area!

What have you learned/discovered? What do you hope to learn?

Spending time with others on multidisciplinary voyages presents a lot of learning - it’s always interesting to find out what other people are studying.

How do you spend your spare time?

Cycling is my main hobby and I’m currently training for some rather lengthy endurance rides later in the year. I also enjoy other sports such as tennis and golf.

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