· DolphinCraft Specialty - Exploration Book
1 - Introduction
Exploration, according to the dolphincraft specialties book: Exploration is just that, exploring. A journeyman that chooses exploration focuses upon the observation of Pern's ever changing seas, for no two patches of ocean are the same and neither do they remain that way. Change is forever occurring, be it from tectonic shifts, volcanic activity, storms, hurricanes, or just the natural tide motion of the water. Nothing remains the same for very long in this active environment.
An explorer's duty is to note these changes and report them back to the appropriate people at the hall. For instance ships can run aground if there's been a change in the shoreline, and there's also the possibility that while exploring, the dolphin-partner team might come upon artifacts that further the antiquist's purpose. With the keen senses and sonar of a dolphin paired with the skills of his/her partner, a formidable pair of explorers is formed.
2 - Surveying the Coastline
Coastline surveying is one of an explorer's most important jobs. The area where the ocean meets the land is most frequented by swimmers, as well as fishing craft and larger boats. The open ocean holds many hazards, but so can the coast. Sandbanks, sudden drop offs, reefs, volcanoes, and myriad life forms can be found in this relatively shallow area and must be documented.
The procedure for this documentation takes two forms: First exploration and returning exploration.
First exploration, as the name suggests, is the original documentation of an area. This requires the most thoroughness, as all sorts of things must be recorded. Detailed notes about the whole area should be taken, paying special attention to any geographical features. (Sandbars, volcanoes, caves, etc.) The information should then be mapped by the explorer or brought to a cartographer for this purpose. Explorers should take some basic cartography classes to aid in mapping of an area. Even a rough map is better than nothing at all.
Sandbanks and sudden drops should then be measured. Explorers are to carry a marked, weighted rope which can be used to determine the depth of ditches and the height of sandbars from the ocean floor. At times, the ditch or sandbar may be deeper/taller than the measuring rope. In this case, the length of the rope should be noted, as well as the fact that the feature's height or depth exceeds it.
Detailed descriptions of any coral reefs, plants, animals, and volcanoes should be entered. The same rules of sandbar measurement apply to undersea volcanoes.
Returning exploration is similar. However, the returning explorer uses the previous notes and measurements and checks them against the current conditions of the area. Any changes should be noted, and these returning explorations should be performed after major storms and biannually, if possible.
3 - Cave Exploration
Due to the depth and darkness of most sea caves, a lot of this exploration is performed by the dolphin half of the team, with the human serving as a recorder of information. Exact measurements aren't vital here, though it is helpful to determine the location and approximate depth of the entrance of these caves. As with the coastal survey, notes should be taken on plant and animal life within, as well as any strange geographical formations that might be noted.
4 - Sunken Ship Exploration
As with sea caves, the effort should be made to map the location of the wreck and determine its depth. It is helpful to divide the area up via a grid, so that the same area is not explored over and over again and it is easier to note the locations of artifacts.
Both dolphin and human explorers should excersize caution when venturing inside the remains of a sunken ship, as turns beneath the waves may have caused structural damage. If beams are seen to shift, or anything collapses, get out immediately.
Ship wrecks should be searched for artifacts. When anything is uncovered, its location in the grid should be noted, and it is helpful to number pieces as well. Antiquists specialize in dealing with such artifacts; if they aren't working also working on the wreck, the objects should be delivered to them along with any notes the explorer has taken on them.
Depending on the length of time the ship has spent on the ocean floor and the damage it has sustained, it may be possible to determine the age of the craft and the cause of its demise. Notes on the structure and other aspects of the ship itself should go to antiquists and seacrafters.
5 - Safety
A lot of exploration safety is plain common sense: Not going out when one is ill or injured, not pushing oneself past one's limits, not venturing into clearly unsafe sites. If the structure of a sea cave or wreck is questionable, leave it alone. If your breath is running short, come up for air. If the pressure is making your ears pop and your head ache, you're too deep. If you are hurt, get out of the water and take care of yourself. If a dolphin tells you not to go somewhere, don't go. Always listen to the dolphins; they know a lot more about the ocean than you do.
There are some additional rules for cave exploration that should be noted. Sea caves can often run deep and have twisted passages. Do not venture beyond the point where you can see the exit without some sure method of getting back. Even with a means for return, there is no reason to venture too deeply into really labyrinthine caves. Just make a note that they are truly twisted and move on. A good general rule for exploration is this: If you have doubts, don't do it.
Even with the utmost of precautions, however, accidents do sometimes happen. And, unfortunately, healers don't come prepackaged in nice little water proof boxes that are available at your local trader's wagon. This being the case, it is strongly recommended that an explorer learns at least basic first aid before setting out on extended trips.
6 - Life
While exploring any part of the ocean, it is inevitable that one will encounter forms of life beyond oneself and one's partner. Whether it is for a particular assignment or because the explorer has a personal interest, these life forms may need to be catalogued. This chapter contains the basics of that process.
Naturally, fish are unlikely to stay in one place long enough to be thoroughly looked at. Therefore, it is useful to bring a net when one anticipates exploration of fish. A written description, sketch, and measurements are good for starters. Any unusual features of the specimen or the environment should also be noted.
Aquatic plants tend to be a bit more cooperative, in that they are much more willing to stay in one place. Again, a written description, sketch, measurements, and anything out of the ordinary should be recorded.
Unfamiliar specimens, be they plants or animals, should not be handled directly in case they are venomous. Thin leather gloves may worn, although anything that is known to be or looks particularly dangerous should not be handled at all unless it is vitally necessary. As a general rule, snakes should be avoided. As before, common sense should be excersized.
When live specimens are being examined, the effort should be made to leave them unharmed. Fish and crustaceans should be released where they were found. Occasionally, a specimen may be brought back to the hall for further study. In this case, the explorer should try to keep it in water that is as similar as possible (in temperature, salinity, etc.) to that of its origin.
7 - Supplies
There are several basic supplies that each explorer should carry with him or her on any trips.
Fresh water: At least one full canteen of fresh water should be brought when venturing away from shore. One never knows what can happen, and sea water does not quench human thirst.
A medical kit: This should include at least numbweed, redwort, and bandages.
Materials for writing: A notebook and charcoal sticks are best for note-taking and mapmaking while away from the hall. If there are other notes on the area to be explored, copies should be brought along. These should all be stored in a water proof pouch or box. An alternative here is a wax tablet and metal stylus. These can be used underwater, and so are particularly useful when engaged in exploration itself. The notebook is best for recording information when the explorer returns to land or a ship, but the tablet and stylus don't suffer from water damage and so can be employed when actually in the sea. Notes from the tablet should be transferred to the more permanent medium of the notebook as soon as possible. Both sets of writing supplies should be carried, particularly on prolonged expeditions.
Maps: A map of the general area is a basic supply, and any additional, more detailed maps should be included if they are available. These should also be stored in a water proof pouch or box.
Rope: This rope should be weighted at one end and have a mark every handspan (roughly 1/4 meter.) The marks are there so that it can be used for measuring, and I leave the myriad other applications of the rope to the reader's imagination.
Other: A net and more precise measuring tools are a good idea, particularly if the explorer is interested in chronicling aquatic creatures. Thin leather gloves are useful, especially when the explorer may come into contact with unknown or malevolent sea life.
All of the above supplies, as well as anything else the explorer chooses to bring along, should be packed in a sturdy water proof bag, or a water tight box which is then inside a bag. It is suggested that the bag be brightly colored, so that it is easier to locate should it be dropped in the water.
8 - Conclusion
Exploration is a never ending task, and will continue to grow and change as the craft does. Just remember: Safety first, and always listen to the dolphin. And never forget to laugh a little!
~ Dolphincraft Journeywoman Sarin
All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are © Anne McCaffrey 1967, 2000, all rights
reserved, and used by permission of the author.
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