It has been a VERY long day and a very FULL weekend--productive but full! As much as I was anxious to meet my team, I was that much more anxious to see SCINI. But before that came introductions, and I quickly discovered that we have a very diverse team! If you go to the following link, you can read all about my teammates when you click on the "People" tab. http://scini2009.mlml.calstate.edu Please be sure to check out the other tabs as well!
Hope I wasn't too boring!
After seeing a couple of PowerPoint presentations that contained many stunningly spectacular pictures, I think those of us who've never been on The Ice had a much better picture of McMurdo and what to expect while there, an understanding about our goals for this season and some basic information about what we can expect when we're in the field.
During a little break, I wandered around Moss Landing Marine Labs and found myself peeking in classrooms and labs wondering what my life would have been like had I pursued a career in science instead of education. But, I think it's fair to say that this current journey more than makes up for any "wonderings". Regardless, I enjoyed looking at the many items that were displayed throughout. Check out some of the cool things they have available for the public to see.
I was immediately drawn to this squid as I'd just seen a show on AP about the Giant Squid. Elusive yet fascinating!
Look at this magnificent creature close up! Check out his tentacles!
How do you those teeth?!?
The skull of a Stellar's Sea Lion
I was stunned to see how huge this sea lion is!
Upon our return to the lab, I found myself as excited to see SCINI as I was the Pacific Ocean the day before, and I didn't have to wait long. If I had to sum that first glimpse up in a word, it would be "simplicity". I was actually amazed to see some very common and readily available items. How many can you spot in the pictures below? Even the tether spools that hold her tether was common and readily available. Brain teaser--what common item(s) do you think is used to hold over a 1,000 feet of SCINI's tether? Think about it.
What common items do you see?
Bob gives us all a run down on how to hook up SCINI and how she powers up.
![Bob and the box](/files/members/michele-cross/images/bob-and-the-kill-switch.jpg "That big red button is SCINI's "kill" switch in case we need to shut down power immediately")
That big red button is SCINI's "kill" switch in case we need to shut down power immediately
Bob did an excellent job of explaining how to hook SCINI up, how she powers up, how to do some basic troubleshooting if power isn't getting to a specific part of SCINI and how NOT to get an electrical jolt. Who out there wants to complete a circuit? I mean that in the literal sense. That would be most unwise.
Saturday afternoon found us at MBARI's (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) dive tank, and I was about to get a crash course in being a dive tender. (If anyone out there has Dive Tending for Dummies , I'd love to borrow it!) Even with eight of us hauling equipment in, it seemed like it took forever! What a great workout though! Getting SCINI ready to go in the tank took a bit of time as well--hooking her up, powering her up, making sure the tether is laid out so that it doesn't tangle, etc.
Dustin is our software engineer and makes sure the camera and vehicle control software is working properly
My first look at SCINI underwater
Before the divers entered the tank, we all received a lesson in tying knots-bowline and clove hitch.
Because Bob's a pro at this, he watches as Kamille amd Marco practice
While her husband Francois looks on, Isabelle practices her knot tying skills
I had difficulty as is, but the divers were expected to tie these knots with full gear on that included two glove liners under their dive gloves while remaining neutrally buoyant in the tank--in other words, not sinking or rising. Imagine performing a task like that under the ice in Antarctica with water temps below freezing!
Stacy continue to show our divers all the tasks that they must perform in the dive tank
As the divers began to get in their gear, I was wuite astonished at how long it took them to get ready! Check out the following link. If you click on the Slideshow on right, you'll see what I'm talking about. http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/expedition10/hottopics/colddiving.html And I thought I had a lot of gear to put on to go cycling in the middle of winter!
Getting into all her dive gear is a rather long process
The divers make final adjustments before taking the plunge
The divers must have been happy to finally get in the tank, and I was happy to have a breather. That was hot, sweaty work for all! I only I wish I could've jumped in to cool off!
There they are...finally getting the chance to get wet!
Marco sees me taking pictures and comes over
I think that the most frustrating part of that afternoon for me was dive tending, and that was only because I'd never done it before and had never seen it done. Kamille displayed the patience of Job and guided me through the process, glitches along the way notwithstanding. All in all, there was always someone there to help and guide me, but it still proved to be a steep learning curve.
The best part? When the dive was over, we got to pack everything up and haul it all back out again! And guess what was on the agenda for Sunday morning?!?! Yes, more diving! But, this time was to be in the ocean. Target destination? Monterey Canyon.