Sinking the submersible

By Suzanne Wentley
Posted at 01:57 PM on June 05, 2006

There's serious competition for the lone Internet computer on board -- the crew seemed to be more interested in the college baseball scores (Miami Hurricanes advance?) than having me fill you in on the day. That says something about how bored some can get on the seas.

But not me so far! They just launched the submersible into about 925 feet of water. It was quite a production to get it in the water -- but with four people inside two separate compartments into the 14-ton piece of equipment, I understand why safety is a necessary.

Phil Santos, the sub pilot, and six other crewmen guided the sub -- which features a glass sphere, robotic arms and collection tanks -- into the royal blue surf. It was a popular event for the rest of the scientific crew, who crowded the deck in life jackets while the sub disappeared into the water.

The entire trip on the Miami Terrace reef -- which is logged by Santos and Jim Sullivan, the submersible electronics technician -- will take about three and a half hours.

While the sub crew worked on the bridge, the scientists were huddled around their computers on the deck-level labs. Members of the ship's crew finished up cleaning the dishes from lunch -- penne pasta, salad, lobster bisque and rice pudding, thank you very much -- while others gathered in the lounge to watch "Killer Waves," a documentary on the Science Channel.

I may pass on the "Killer Waves." I'd rather check out the video streaming live from the submersible!

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