Aquarius Undersea Laboratory » SeaCAMEL

Preparing to Surface

Ellen Prager — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:58:12 +0000

Our fearless aquanauts are just now getting ready to begin decompression for their return to land. They have spent a busy three days diving, doing educational broadcasts, and working on science projects with a surface-based crew of scientists and graduate students. And while that has been going on the habitat technicians and staff surface crew have kept the life support systems in Aquarius and all else running as smooth as possible.

Dr. Mark Patterson relays that what he likes best about living underwater is feeling part of the ocean. “The primitive part of my brain and senses are somehow aware this is home, at an ancient level. The spectacle of the food chain, the circle of life, leaves me in awe.”

Here on the surface, we look forward to seeing you all tomorrow and getting your take on how life is among the fish.

Dr. Ellen Prager
Chief Scientist, Aquarius Reef Base

View from Aquarius at night, DJ Roller, Liquidpictures

Aaron Alexander — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:41:09 +0000

Splashdown

Ellen Prager — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:53:08 +0000

The mission began today as the aquanauts splashed down to begin their stay among the fish. They hit the water a little bit later than expected due to a problem with the chiller that keeps the inside of Aquarius cool and dry. Our fearless crew came to the rescue, loaded a replacement on a boat, and did the underwater exchange in record time. Add rough seas to the morning and it has been a busy day for all, already. Great job gang!

The team underwater is now setting up scientific instrumentation on the seafloor and gearing up for their first broadcast from beneath the sea! Stay tuned as they begin their stay in Aquarius and underwater classroom sessions this afternoon starting at 2pm, with a second presentation at 7pm (eastern standard time) tonight…..live from the reef.

Dr. Ellen Prager
Chief Scientist, Aquarius Reef Base

Project SeaCAMEL: Come Dive with us Online Today!

Aaron Alexander — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:14:06 +0000

Training Ensues

Ellen Prager — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:14:01 +0000

Training for the November mission, Project SeaCamel, is underway as the Aquarius staff works to prepare the habitat and aquanaut candidates for upcoming underwater occupancy. The potential aquanaut team easily passed the swim test and has since been receiving briefings on the equipment they will be using, emergency procedures while living in and working around Aquarius, and going through drills on how to react should something happen with their gear or surroundings during the mission. Because the one thing they cannot do, is come to the surface before going through decompression. Yesterday the crew went over and practiced underwater navigation skills. Luckily, if conditions go bad underwater and visibility is reduced, the aquanauts have an undersea highway of cables to follow back to the safety of the habitat. Drills continue today and the staff goes on a little shopping trip to the grocery story to purchase food for undersea dining. During this mornings briefing about packing for their underwater stay, what happens to electronics under high pressure was a hot topic. All gear must be brought down by divers in watertight pressure pots, but some computers just don’t seem to work at 2.5 atmospheres. On this mission one aquanaut is considering bringing down an iphone – it could be the first used under the sea. Stay tuned for more as we head to splashdown on Monday!

Dr. Ellen Prager
Chief Scientist, Aquarius Reef Base