DAY TWO: ON THE WAY TO THE SITE.

Text and photos by Courtney Flanagan

Here's an interview with one of the youngest members of the ship community: Morton Dahl. We hope to include more interviews with other scientists from time to time.

A major activity today in the science world was the test of the Bathysaurus (Remotely Operated Vehicle). It was exciting to watch it get craned off the ship, and then to watch its progress on the screen in the control room. Three cameras on the ROV give it different perspectives on the surrounding ocean. Jan Byrn and his assistant Frank Widme run its engine, and also operate the controls of all three of its collecting mechanisms: grasping arms, a vacuum tube, and a metal box with a door that can act like shovel. The box also serves as the storage container for samples obtained by the vacuum or the arms.

We watched the "dust" of the ocean rush by as the machine descended, accompanied by the occasional shrimp. The dust is actually called "marine snow" and if you have ever driven in a blizzard and seen the snow drive at the front window of your car, you know exactly what it looked like as the ROV dropped toward the ocean floor. In addition to the cable, a hose is attached to the ROV whose function is to equalize pressure between the inside and outside of the machine. After some time, Jan Byrn determined that the hose had some air in it, so the ROV was raised again to solve this small problem. The test was complete, and we now look forward to the first big descent, possibly to the depth of almost 10000 feet.

Another activity of the day was trying on the Survival Suit. This one-size-fits-all garment is NOT a fashion statement! The awkwardness of putting it on, especially when ones hands are in the Mickey Mouse sized gloves, is challenging.

Some elements of the dressing need to be done after the hands are on - namely clipping a chain in front of one's chest that will allow the potential rescuer to more easily grab on to the suit, and clipping another chain to one's fellow victim to help keep the group together.

Another aspect of "suit technology" is to bend in a squat to get out as much air as possible. Once one is in the water, any air that is in the suit will be released, and replaced by water - very, very cold water. Getting the seal correct around the face is also crucial in this regard! This commentator is hoping that today was the last time she will come in contact with this suit!