study Area I: Santa Barbara Channel 



Visits to the platforms were made during the months of January and 

 February. Interviews were conducted on the platforms, docks or at the 

 heliport. The interview only requred 5 to 10 minutes to complete. 

 Consequently many people could be interviewed in a short period of 

 time. Usually, the researcher explained the purpose and method of the 

 study before the interview. The interviews included questions designed 

 to establish the interviewed persons background, experience and type of 

 job as well as his recollection of marine mammal sightings. Often, 

 specific questions were not necessary because as soon as "whales and 

 dolphins" were mentioned the worker would eagerly recall past 

 sightings. During the interviews the posters and cards were explained 

 and left behind for future use. 



For the Santa Barbara Channel area a set of three posters (Figures 

 2, 3, and 4) was designed. These posters described in words and 

 pictures the species of marine mammals likely to be seen in the study 

 area. The posters were displayed aboard supply boats, in platform 

 galleys, and anywhere that seemed appropriate. Besides their 

 instructional purpose, the posters constantly reminded the workers that 

 a study was in progress, and inspired filling out sighting cards. 



The 3" X 5" sighting cards had questions printed on both sides 

 pertaining to the appearance and behavior of the sighted animals. The 

 sighting cards contained only a few personal questions regarding the 

 worker's job and interest in marine life, putting the emphasis on 

 recent marine mammal observations. Most questions on the card were 

 presented in a "forced-choice" manner. Possible answers were provided 

 and the worker allowed to choose the one that "fit the best." Some 

 questions required filling in blanks, especially those pertaining to 

 the size of the animal or distance from the platform. There was also 

 room allotted for comments and any information not specifically asked 

 for but what might have been considered important and relevant (Figures 

 5 and 6). 



The workboat skippers and crews interviewed in Santa Barbara, are 

 all employees of the "Tide Fleet," and were \/ery cooperative. Industry 

 personnel were associated with the platforms listed in Appendix A. 



Study Area II: Cook Inlet 



The Cook Inlet area was studied over a 3-week period during the 

 months of July and August. All interviews were conducted on board the 

 platforms. Helicopters provided the transportation to and from the 

 rigs. While helicopters are excellent vantage points for sightings, 

 conducting interviews on them was not successful. Therefore, all 

 interviews were conducted on the relatively stable and quiet platforms. 



