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The hour and a half before launch of the sub is really busy. The
crew is making last-minute adjustments to the equipment on the
basket, scientists have to make sure that all the equipment is
primed and ready, and the techs make sure that the rest of Alvin
is ready to go. |
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Dr. Kevin Fielman fills the DISSR prior to launch. |
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Believe it or not, rubber bands are the most frequently used piece
of equipment on the basket.
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Rubber bands can be used to temporarily secure hoses during a dive.
They break away when the manipulator is in place. |
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Blee Williams purges the hoses in the Autonomous Microbial Sampler
(AMS) prior to launch. |
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Alvin's life blood - hydraulic fluid.
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| As
soon as Alvin is rolled out, the crew starts scrubbing
down the hangar. There's ALWAYS something to do where Alvin
is concerned. |
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Laura waits with Eileen (right). Although it doesn't look like it,
Eileen is really excited to dive today. |
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Dr.
Hugh Morgan finds a great perch to view the launch. It has the
added benefit of being out of the pre-launch hubbub on deck. |
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Blee Williams takes a moment to flex his muscles prior to boarding.
Give up, Blee — you're going to have really sore muscles
no matter what you do.
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Eileen climbs aboard Alvin. |
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Dave Shin waves for the camera. This is his first dive, but tune
in tomorrow for what happened to him when he got back. It's really
icky. |
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The seas have been a little rough during launch. Swimmer-in-Training
Dan Barker got a good work-out while releasing the tow cable. |
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The Avon and her crew returns from the launch. It takes
a coordinated effort to get the Avon back on the Atlantis. |
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Bruce
Strickrott climbs back on board. |
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Next
comes Raoul Martinez. |
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Rob
Hill rides the Avon back aboard.
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Boatswain Wayne Bailey directs the return of the Avon back
into its cradle. |
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"Catfish
Couture"
Watch
as "Catfish" models his attire.
We
noticed that Ed Popowitz didn't ever go by Ed. Everyone called
him "Catfish," and his entire wardrobe can be identified
by this trademark stamp. He got the nickname when he was 8 or
9 while fishing with his friends. He was the only one who caught
a catfish that day, and the name stuck. I guess when you're on
board a ship for four months at a time, you develop your own style
of doing things.
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