On 18th July, I had the opportunity to spend 10 days with other oceanographers on the Research Platform FLIP (https://scripps.ucsd.edu/ships/flip) for a test cruise to study the Langmuir circulation and the near-surface processes. Spending time on FLIP is like living in a large tree house in the middle of the ocean. Even though there were large waves passing by, we did not feel much of the motion of the waves. We had a great time to collect great quality data. Here are some photos to share with you.
![FLIP being towed to station by a tugboat FLIP being towed to station by a tugboat](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160719_20160719-0291-IMG_0014.jpg?w=609&h=406&ssl=1)
FLIP being towed to station by a tugboat
![during a flipping process As FLIP transits from being horizontal to vertical, you get to be horizontal and vertical at the same time.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160719_20160719-0314-IMG_0037.jpg?w=609&h=406&ssl=1)
As FLIP transits from being horizontal to vertical, you get to be horizontal and vertical at the same time.
![FLIP in vertical mode After FLIP transiting to vertical mode, the main lab is high up from the water.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160719_20160719-0428-IMG_0151.jpg?w=270&h=406&ssl=1)
After FLIP transiting to vertical mode, the main lab is high up from the water.
![R/V Robert Gordon Sproul R/V Robert Gordon Sproul is assisting FLIP with anchoring.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160719_20160719-0457-IMG_0180.jpg?w=973&h=778&ssl=1)
R/V Robert Gordon Sproul is assisting FLIP with anchoring.
![FLIP in vertical mode FLIP in vertical mode. It has 3 booms that extends out on the sides to deploy scientific instruments.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160719_20160719-0754-IMG_0478-Pano-Edit.jpg?w=519&h=778&ssl=1)
FLIP in vertical mode. It has 3 booms that extends out on the sides to deploy scientific instruments.
![Starboard boom Starboard boom](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160721_20160721-0005-IMG_0640.jpg?w=997&h=665&ssl=1)
Starboard boom
![Port boom Port boom](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160721_20160721-0009-IMG_0643.jpg?w=495&h=331&ssl=1)
Port boom
![Face boom Face boom](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160721_20160721-0004-IMG_0638.jpg?w=495&h=330&ssl=1)
Face boom
![Installing instrumentation on face boom Installing instrumentation on face boom](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160719_20160719-0581-IMG_0305.jpg?w=1033&h=689&ssl=1)
Installing instrumentation on face boom
![FLIP from port boom FLIP from port boom](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160721_20160721-0164-IMG_0798-Pano.jpg?w=459&h=689&ssl=1)
FLIP from port boom
![R/V Sproul R/V Sproul at the end of starboard boom](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160723_20160723-0121-IMG_1035.jpg?w=609&h=406&ssl=1)
R/V Sproul at the end of starboard boom
![The team This is us on FLIP. The science and crew team.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160723_20160723-0240-IMG_1154-Edit.jpg?w=271&h=406&ssl=1)
This is us on FLIP. The science and crew team.
![Sunset on FLIP Sunset on FLIP](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160725_20160725-0351-IMG_2170_HDR-Edit.jpg?w=608&h=406&ssl=1)
Sunset on FLIP
![FLIP with all of its open booms FLIP with all of its open booms on against a beautiful sky.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160725_20160725-0226-IMG_1409-Pano-2_HDR-Edit-Edit.jpg?w=523&h=294&ssl=1)
FLIP with all of its open booms on against a beautiful sky.
![On the floor and wall On the floor and wall (at the same time).](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160727_20160727-0030-IMG_2256.jpg?w=523&h=348&ssl=1)
On the floor and wall (at the same time).
![FLIP going from vertical to horizontal FLIP going from vertical to horizontal](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160727_20160727-0039-IMG_2265.jpg?w=969&h=646&ssl=1)
FLIP going from vertical to horizontal
![It's a small world on FLIP It's a small world on FLIP](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160727_20160727-0062-IMG_2287-Pano-Edit-Edit.jpg?w=597&h=597&crop=1&ssl=1)
It’s a small world on FLIP
![Passing the tow line to get FLIP back to port Passing the tow line to get FLIP back to port.](https://i0.wp.com/www.nguyensan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/20160727_20160727-0136-IMG_2362.jpg?w=895&h=597&ssl=1)
Passing the tow line to get FLIP back to port.