Log Post: International Superstar

Today wasn’t our best day for Telepresence, I’m afraid – but fortunately, we had international help to cover for us, not more than 20 miles away ☺ Our planned launch for 06h00 had already slipped to 06h30 when we developed a problem with our depressor, just as we were getting ready to launch.  It didn’t take … Continued

Log Post: Character Building

When I was growing up, my older brother Tim used to enjoy explaining how any adverse conditions that you lived through could be ascribed to being character building.  I therefore present to you the team aboard RVFalkor: with our characters further developed. The day started very well – into the dry lab at 05h30 to … Continued

Log Post: Becalmed in Vent-Infested Waters

Today was a taxing day.  Late on Wednesday it became apparent that our test of the winch that we use to lower the depressor vehicle (the one that acts to protect Nereus’ single optical-fiber tether from the waves and energy in the upper ocean) had not gone well. After 2 hours in the water and … Continued

Log Post: Scurvy Dogs and Sad Departures

Very short blog today.  Woke up for breakfast and leaped straight into action working with Leighton who then worked with Captain Heiko and Lars to innovate a new working bench into existence in the Hangar where Cindy and Max can sort and sample their shrimp (and hopefully mussel) collections from the forthcoming cruise. There simply … Continued

Log Post: This is Our Art

Did you miss us? Yesterday was a very cool day.  I woke up at 4am to the sound of the ship slowing to a halt with 2 hours to spare at the point where we were due to pick up the pilot who would bring us in to port in Jamaica.  And then I woke … Continued

Log Post: Father’s Day (in some countries)

Today is our transit day to Jamaica and last night our clocks went back to put us on Jamaica time (which, bizarrely, is East of Cayman but on the same time zone as Chicago). But I won’t complain because – ah, bliss! – I was able to go to bed last night without setting my … Continued

Log Post: Go Big or Go Home

Today’s out last day with the AUV and we have a cunning plan to end our exploration days with.  Up at 3:15 to watch the 4:00 am launch. 03h30: Call to Bridge to confirm 30 minute “countdown” to launch. 03h45: 15 minutes out and all systems are on track 03h56: All clear on Bridge, Deck … Continued

Log Post: Nereus With Attitude

Like all good things, Leg 1 of our expedition must come to an end.  But fear not, as Winston Churchill once said: this is not the end.  It is not even the beginning of the end.  It is merely the end of the beginning. We’ll be back next week with Leg 2.  But before that, … Continued

Log Post: Refrigerator Art

When I was little, I remember spending hours listening to my Grandad’s tales of life on the ocean when he was a young man.  I never for a moment thought that I would ever head out to sea. Indeed, I remember by the age of ten or twelve being quite adamant that I wouldn’t.  But … Continued

Log Post: Mind, He Doesn’t Get Out Much

Suddenly, the whole ship seems to have its groove on and science is really clicking. By deciding to focus on our shallowest site, we are stepping up the pace to dive every day, starting at 04h00, and staying out as long as we’re allowed. Reminds me of Summer nights when I was about 10 and … Continued