Skyscrapers and submersibles

By Suzanne Wentley
Posted at 08:16 PM on June 05, 2006

As my energy level starts to drop -- come on, I did wake up at 4:30 this morning -- I wandered outside on the deck to get a little fresh air. And I noticed something odd... people were talking on their cell phones! We're 15 miles from land, so I was a little shocked that they were getting reception. I immediately called my husband, who's birthday is today. Happy birthday, Jim!

Turns out the skyscrapers from Fort Lauderdale and Miami are visible because the boat heads closer to shore when they're charging up the battery on the submersible -- which is heading underwater for the second time today as I type. And as soon as the cell phone signal came, it went. Such is life on a boat!

But I also received some exciting news. I'll be heading out in the submersible tomorrow! Unfortunately, there's only one seat available in the small aft compartment -- Sarah's out there right now, as the cables are lowering the Johnson-Sea-Link into the water, taking pictures. I'll be heading down with John Reed, the chief scientist on board, so I'll be learning a lot and will be sure to pass it along to you!

Ed Killer, I saw your comment -- how did you know the submersible was yellow?

Good night everybody! I'm off to my bunk in my tidy stateroom.

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