SHENZHEN BAY (MSDM7) 16-01-2004 00.00 UTC
Phenomenon: bioluminescence
Ship name: SHENZHEN BAY
Call sign: MSDM7
Last observation: 16-01-2004 00.00 UTC
Voyage from/to: Jeddah / Colombo
Position: 14-08N; 42-20E
Date/time of observation: 15-01-2004 / 16.30-19.30 UTC
Observer A: M. Stewart 1ON
Observer B: McDonald S. 3ON
Observer C: J. Escolano AB
Captain: Newnes D.J.
Description: Southern Red Sea, nearing the Straits of Bab el Mandeb, the bioluminescence was first noticed by the chief mate, who was gathering his end of watch weather information.
Looking over the side of the vessel he noticed bright green "blobs" in the sea around the ship. The blobs were estimated to be around 15cm in diameter and had no fixed shape. As well as this the vessels bow wave and wake were glowing a brilliant green colour, clear to see far behind the vessel. There were also brigth flashes where ever any wavelets broke. A few minutes later a bright band was noticed in the water ahead of the vessel. When the ship passed through this the luminescence became even more brilliant.
About an hour later, after the change of watch, the third mate noticed the same green blobs observed by the 1ON. The bow wave and wake were also glowing. This continued for nearly two hours. At around 22.45 (ships time) a very large patch of sea ahead of and around the vessel was observed to become very light. The luminescence was extremely bright and prominent as the ship passed through this area which extended for over two miles of the vessels track. Once the vessel was through this patch the phenomenon was not seen again.
The sea temperature at the time was 25.5°C and the wind NNW 14kts.
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