Mission Journal 13 — David Ince: Mission Day 3: Wednesday, December 8th, 2004
Well our all too brief journey and adventure into inner space is drawing to a close as we count down to re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere and come out of saturation. I have become very comfortable physically living beneath the waves and thank NOAA and the US Navy for giving me the opportunity of becoming an Aquanaut. It has only taken me 27 years of diving to earn my Golden Fins! I am also proud to be the first Royal Navy Mine Clearance Diving Officer to have had the privilege of experiencing this fantastic and unique marine habitat first hand.
I have described my awe and wonder in my previous entries, the awe and wonder will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have discovered a new appreciation for an environment I have always appreciated. I already know the value of the marine research work supported by NOAA and the Aquarius Project, and the message that our precious ocean resources need conserving and protecting is beginning to reach the right ears. I only hope it is not too late.