Ready to Dive

The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason is strapped to the deck of the University of Washington’s research vessel R/V Thomas Thompson. During the summer 2010 cruise, the ROV was used to sample hydrothermal fluids from vent fields at the Axial Seamount. It was typically on deck for only a few hours during the day so that its sample baskets and bottles could be emptied and technicians could perform the necessary pre- and post-dive checks before resuming operations. (Photo by Tom Lanagan, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)