Steaming to Axial Seamount

Monday, July 14, 2014
ROPOS Dunk Test in Salish Sea

Today has been spent in preparation for the upcoming dive (Dive R1712) at the summit of Axial Seamount. Safety meetings were held among the ship, ROPOS, and science party teams, operational plans were discussed, and equipment readied for the first dive. The Main Lab continues to be alive with activity in anticipation of the first dive sequence. Students are finalizing their projects and already collecting data and imagery.

We entered the Pacific out of the Straits of Juan de Fuca (Salish Sea) early in the morning, and weather picked up a bit - blowing about 20 knots. However, the seas were not bad, and today at 1600 the ride is very comfortable. Some folks took some quiet time to catch up on sleep after the intense mobilization period, getting tons of gear packed and onto the ship.

We are looking forward to arrving on site and to beginning this final phase of installation.