Gusty sea breeze, rippling seawater, swaying seaweed—your first research cruise will be a memorable milestone. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you embark on your sea voyage. Whether you’re a student on a field trip or a researcher performing fieldwork, there are many reasons why you may be on a research cruise. For example, you may be out to collect fish for a class or maybe you’re working on a research paper and need plankton tow samples. The duration of your research cruise may differ as well. While some researchers may be at sea for a day, others may be out for weeks or months.…