Dispatches from Sea >>
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| March 2007 |  Laura Preston, educator, UNH/Salem High School, Salem, NH. |
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| April 2007 | |||||||
April 5, 2007
Jason II Launch
Today was just what many of us on the ship have been waiting to experience for a couple of weeks now…a “walk” on the seafloor with Jason II. As the Jason team prepared for the launch, the rest of us learned our duties for the duration of our stay at sea. Some are logging events such as “ohh, there’s a sea cucumber,” and “that’s a HUGE fissure.” Some of us are making sure that everything gets recorded and labeled correctly. Others are piloting the robot and navigating its direction. The researchers are looking for hydrothermal vents, recent eruptions and lava flows. Here’s a look at the outstanding Jason team at work launching the 9000 pound robot that will show us a world unknown. Stay tuned for the real “walk” tomorrow!
 Akel Kevis-Stirling works in the lab. |
 Cindy Sellers, ROV technician pauses to smile for the camera. |
 Jim Varnum, ROV technician will “pilot” the ROV. |
 Medea, Jason’s weighted junction between the ship and the ROV. |
 Tito Collasius, James Brennan, and Anton Zafereo check the lights and cameras. |
 Jim Varnum and Scott Hansen put the final touches on the ROV. |
 Initial lift. |
 Jason being lifted off the deck. |
 Good job, Tito! |
|
 In the water. |
 Down we go! |
 "Glub glub" |