DIVE 3516 13 JANUARY 2000 Pilot: Bruce Strickrott Port Observer: Craig Cary Starboard Observer: George Luther Time and Event 08:11 - Alvin entered the water amidst a pod of approximately 15 pilot whales. 08:12 - Alvin was free of the ship's tether and bobbing in the water. 08:20 - Alvin began the descent to the vents. At 1700 m, the power to the DLK-SUB-1 chemical analyzer was turned out for tests. 09:35 - Alvin reached Guaymas basin - location 2494.6X, 1055.2Y. The submarine reached its maximum depth of the dive, 2008 m. Terrain was muddy. 09:45 - A ground problem was detected with one of the sub's interior emergency lights. The problem was corrected by the pilot. Power to the DLK-SUB-1 chemical analyzer was disconnected when tests were completed. 09:46 - Another ground problem was found and corrected for the high temperature probe. 09:52 - Power to the DLK-SUB-1 chemical analyzer was rebooted. 09:53 - Neutral trim of the sub began. The sub then began its search for the southern section of the Guaymas basin. 10:49 - A series of white bacterial mats were discovered at 2448.3X, 836.9Y. 10:53 - A series of 0.3m-sized pagodas (mini-chimneys) located at 2437X, 832.7Y. 10:55 - Found mud with shimmering water. 11:05 - Alvin left the site and transitted to another. 11:29 - Spotted a Riftia tubeworm field at 1907X, 1662Y. White bacterial mats also were around the area. Began the digital recording using the 3-chip camera. Found polychaetes on a few of the Riftia tubeworms and collected one small specimen of a Riftia worm. 11:41 - Electrode work using the DLK-SUB-1 chemical analyzer began. 11:45 - Telephone conference call from the middle-school and high-school students in Delaware, New Jersey, and California was received. 12:25 - Telephone call concluded. 12:30 - Alvin moved from the site. Atlantis notified Alvin of rough surface seas and the possibility that the dive may need to be aborted. 12:38 - A 6- to 8-meter non-active chimney was found. XY location could not be provided because of interrupted signal transmission. 12:43 - Marker number six was located at 2434X, 790Y. This site had a large Riftia tubeworm clump and possibly Calyptogena clams. No sulfide structures were evident. 12:52 - Alvin returned to the bacterial mat that was discovered earlier in the dive. Scientists wanted to obtain sediment core samples from the mat. 13:03 - Alvin heading 185. Located the bacterial mat at 2433X, 828Y which was adjacent to a large chimney with venting water. 13:26 - Sediment cores became stuck to their quivers and could not be removed for sampling. 13:29 - Alvin was called to the surface due to rough surface waters. The pilot dropped the weights to lighten the submarine for the ascent to the surface. One the way to the surface, the pump for the electrochemical flow cell and sipper (water sampler) was tested successfully. 15:00 - Alvin reached the surface of the ocean. 15:15 - Alvin was secured on the deck after bobbing in the rough seas for 15 minutes. Pilot Bruce Strickrott was heartily congratulated by all for his first successful dive as an Alvin pilot. GREAT JOB BRUCE!