What's Happening Today - Nov. 17

This morning, under sunny skies, the DSL-120A sonar was hauled back on board. We've collected over 180 nautical miles of survey data covering a box about 55 kilometers long by 5 kilometers wide over the crest of the East Pacific Rise between 9° 57'N to 9° 27N. The data processing continues, but we've already got great preliminary maps that we're using to plan the rest of our work at this site.

As I type this evening, ABE is surveying the bottom - tracing neat lines spaced 40 meters apart on the seafloor - across Dana Yoerger's computer screen. This is what ABE likes to do best, follow precise tracks laid out by its handlers; mapping and collecting data as it travels at about 2 kilometers per hour - just over 1 knot - 20 meters above the ocean floor. We expect ABE to be running tracklines until tomorrow afternoon if all goes well.

In the meantime we're still working on putting together a deep sea camera system to use to survey some of the interesting features we're seeing in the sonar data. Mark Rongstad, Bob Waters, and Al Duester had wires going everywhere this evening as they made great progress on figuring out how to make the camera system work.

We're monitoring ABE tonight to be sure that all goes well with its survey. If all goes well, we will plan to have it go off and do its next survey unattended, while we go someplace else along the ridge axis collecting other data.

Big News Today - Brooke Stembridge wishes her Mom, Julie, a very Happy Birthday!

Best Regards,

Dan Fornari

Al Bradley, one of ABE's inventors, and Gavin Eppard, of the Alvin Group, chatting by the starboard rail this morning.

The DSL-120A sonar fish coming to the surface for recovery this morning.

The sonar fish being lifted out of the water. The hooks are used to attach lines to it so that it can be safely hauled on board.

Pat Hickey, the Expedition Leader, controlling the small crane that lifts the sonar fish on board.

Pete Collins (right) and Gary Austin of the DSOG sonar team, hauling the fiber optic tether to the sonar fish on board.

Jim McGill, an Able Seaman, coiling one of the recovery lines used to bring the sonar fish on board.

Phil Treadwell, the 3rd Engineer, testing the Rescue Boat outboard motor today. It gets tested each week to be sure it is ready when needed.

Bob Waters (left), Mark Rongstad (middle) and Al Duester working on the deep sea camera wiring in the Main Lab this afternoon.