Alvin 2000: Dispatch 2

Wednesday, April 12 - The Unpacking Frenzy

Our current position is 18N and 109W latitude. We are steaming at ~12.5 knots heading south towards 9N. The weather is getting much warmer as we get closer to the equator. Last night we saw many schools of flying fish, jumping up out of the waves and "flying" between waves. There was also a report of a whale off the port side yesterday, probably a gray whale as we came around the tip of Baja California. We are out of site of land now and won't see land again until we get to the end of the cruise in Mexico.

Even though our dives won't start for a few days everyone on the ship is busy with pre-dive preparations. There are two other graduate students out here from University of New Hampshire who will also be working on the water chemistry: Kevin O'Grady and Rachel Gallant.

Since we've arrived, we've emptied lab tables and 21 boxes full of lab equipment that were shipped from our laboratory in New Hampshire. Now we are nearly unpacked and have a fully functioning lab out here. We will be conducting many analyses as we get water samples from the Alvin dives thus our lab must be set up and ready to go before the sub hits the water.

Some of the biggest challenges at sea are making sure you pack absolutely everything (and spares) and being able to fix problems by yourself. Its tough to call a repair man out to fix lab equipment in the middle of the ocean and there is no hardward bouy to run to. This morning, we hit a major snag with a piece of essential lab equipment malfunctioning. We took it apart, found the problem and now with some creativity and spare parts, it's back in working order. Stay tuned tomorrow...."How to Sample Water from the Bottom of the Sea."

Other dispatches:

First dispatches from April 9th and 10th
Project overview and launch information!

Dispatch from April 12th
While heading out to dive area 9 North, the crew spots a few interesting sea animals. Much of the time is spent unpacking and testing equipment.

Dispatch from April 13th
Atlantis reaches 13 degrees latitude. Alison and crew test and retest the titanium collection bottles.

Dispatch from April 14th
The first dive of the expedition-Alison joins the crew! Researchers collect anenomes and fluids surrounding hydrothermal vents.

Dispatch from April 15th
Three dives have been completed. The day is spent retrieving cameras, analyzing hydrogen sulfide samples, and training new Alvin pilots.

Dispatch from April 17th
Not all time aboard Atlantis is work! Although shifts are often long, breaks allow for games and relaxation.

Dispatch from April 23rd
Temperature probes are placed near the vents. A lottery to join the crew of Alvin!

Dispatch from April 24th
The last dives of the trip...See how water pressure affects ordinary objects at extreme depths!

Dispatch from April 25th
This incredible voyage aboard Atlantis comes to an end. It's on to Mexico, and finally, back to New Hampshire to analyze our samples.