Mission Journal 8 — Hal Letts: Mission Day 4: Thursday, June 17th, 2004
Day 4 and I get the first dive after the scientists. As soon as I got out on hooka, the big southern stingray I spotted on day 2 came right up to the forward starboard Aquarius leg and covered himself in sand. He has a split in the very front of his body so when it’s in the sand it reminds you of an Atlantic Manta (Manta birostris). All we can figure out is it was caught and the fishing line must have cut the front part of his body. Makes for interesting identification though. During my 4 hour dive I did a lot of pipe and valve cleaning and noticed that the reef is really trying it’s best to claim Aquarius as its own. Not only is there more plant life, but while I was cleaning a valve, a crab came from between the water tank and frame and tried to bite my toes! I think he was trying to tell me to get out of his territory; just like the Damselfish and Sergeant Majors were doing on day two. ( the Damselfish on day two were Brown Chromis (Chromis multilineata)). The amount of growth on the exterior from when I saturated last year is incredible! The most fascinating thing to happen yet was migration of billions of 2mm bugs (Polychaetes of some sort) at around 2100 hours (9:00 PM). It looked like lightning in the sky that instead of going front the clouds to the earth travels from cloud to cloud. It did this in the light at the bow of Aquarius and was incredible. The only visual thing I can thing of was the Nexus in one of the Star Trek movies. FLASH: The microwave was brought down in a very big sealed pot to keep the water out. Mark and I mounted the microwave in place, tried to test it and guess what, it didn’t work! The scientists were drawing out their dive knives and pipettes when they realized it was time for them to dive. To think, saved by a dive…The habitat techs had to work fast and furious. They adjusted the door micro-switches to make the microwave work again. The scientists were once again good-natured and all the Aquarius crew is back to its happy “tortillas and melted cheese” loving self again. More tomorrow.