In costa rica

We got to costa rica few days ago. The ship's internet dish broke, so can't update in month.

Near the Galapagos

We are near the Galapagos and just a hair above of the equator.  Sadly we won't cross the equator.  But last night we found a possible thermal vent with the CTD.  There are birds from the Galapagos that hang around us.

Starry night

We are in the galapagos speeding zone. we are mapping ridges. Tonight's sky and seas are calmer. It is dark on the bow. The moon isn't in sight. It has been a long time since I could see the whole night sky. The milky way was bright, and we can see the southern cross. We could also see bioluminescence jellyfish from the bow streaming by. Sorry there is no picture, there just isn't enough light and the ship moves too much for one. You just have to be there.

Fire away!!!

Yesterday we entered French waters near Clipperton Island.   We could not map there, so I guess the next best thing is to test the launching system for getting ropes over the bow.

We just missed it

Today we finally hit the what was the hurricane Adrian.  It got downgraded to a tropical depression. It is pretty lite, a little bit of rain and rolling a little more.

A new journey

Today we leave again on okeanos again from San Diego, CA. and sail to Costa rica.

Heading into Port

Today we did our final dive of the INDEX 2010: Indonesia-USA Deep-Sea Exploration of the Sangihe Talaud Region expedition.  We went to 1400 meters deep today.  We are exploring of the unknown of the ocean floor, we have seen coral were we never predicted it to be at, fish with foot-like fins, and many odd looking creatures.  Amazing sunsets, and sunrises.   This is the Okeanos Explorer maiden expedition, but more importantly this is the first US non-military ship into Indonesian waters.   As we explore we build relationships with countries.

Tomorrow we get into port.  We  will clean up the ship, and get the ROV and shed stored so it can make its trip to Guam.

In the pilot seat.

Yesterday we had our deepest dive of the trek at 3800.  After lunch I got to be in all three seats.  I started in navigator's seat for about an hour. I then spent an hour in the co-pilot seat.  I made in to the pilot seat for 2 hours.  I think mowed down a few coral down while I was piloting.  I chased a crab, and a few fish @ 3800 meter deep.

In the hot seat

Today was interesting in the navigator seat.  We were looking for smaller vents, on a ridge, the dive was only 1000 meters down today.  The scientist on shore kept us on our toes by wanting to zig-zag on the cliff face. To make things more interesting the bridge calls, and said we going get swells ahead of us as I am setting up the course for the zig-zag.

Volcanoes

Today we dove on an active underwater volcano (Kawio Barat).  We saw hydro-thermal vents @ 1800 meters.  There were sulfate vents, and white smoke coming from the vents.  There was a lot of surfer deposits.   What was interesting there was a special type of transparent shrimp feeding, and living right off to the side.  There were whole colonies of them. Carl took a lot of portraits of me washing the salt water off the ROV.