14:30 Commencing Dive

15:30 On bottom 2,504 meters. Proceeding to Alvinella Pillar; observed basalt, shrimp (the usual suspects).

15:32 Arrived at Alvinella Pillar, x = 4681 y = 77643, heading 188, depth: 2,504 meters. One “mixed” smoker observed and three beehives.

15:33 Commence geochem, took geochem at top and side of ASU unit.

15:54 Sipper one fired at 15:54 at side of ASU; temperatures ranged from 43–61°C.

15:56 Fired Sipper at top of ASU (#2); temperatures ranged from 88–100°C.

16:00 Recovered ASU unit and placed in middle biobox.

16:10 Geochemistry taken at top of scar; temperatures ranged from 20-34. Observed darker smoke emitted after removal of ASU unit.

16:25 Fat Albert wand was dropped; time spent in recovering wand and scans from 63–84 were used in determining damage to the probe. After this, mainly electrode 4 was used, electrode 3 was inoperable. Collected crab trap ~15c rabs in it at Alvinella Pillar. *Digital stills, 3-chip and video were taken at this site

16:34 Proceed to Bio-9; survey for alvinellid colonies. At x = 4605 y = 77981, saw some at base of chimney (small worms). Passed over B. Nuzzio at Bio-9 marker.

16:49 Transit to Tica

16:54 Arrive at Tica, deploy insect at x = 4563 y = 78155, depth = 2513 heading = 046. Took one hour and a half to place the electrodes among a patch of Riftia. They were placed at a diameter of 2 feet in order to determine the variability in a patch. Electrode 1 was placed in a Riftia tube successfully (next to the yellow vemco temp. probe); Electrode 2 was placed next to red vemco probe and successfully deployed as well until dislodged by crab and is now sitting amongst the Riftia. Attempts were made to replace it, but the decision was made that we were running out of time and needed to finish the rest of the dive plan.

17:30 Phone calls “to the deep” received and answered. Happy Birthday to Don phone call received and appreciated; Happy Birthday sung by people in top lab and a surprise phone call from Mrs. Linda Nuzzio.

19:11 Geochem taken at the probe locations; near the yellow vemco the temperatures ranged from 85–88°C and not much sulfide was observed, mainly oxygen. Near the red vemco, the temperatures ranged from 94–101°C and again, mainly oxygen observed. Near the clip #1 (next to yellow vemco), the temperatures ranged from 89–92°C and clip #2 the temperatures ranged from 102–104°C. Again, not much sulfide observed. Just before leaving InsECT, the Fat Albert Wand dropped a second time; possible reason gleaned from Bruce’s incessant cursing: the T-handle was bent and tape should not be used in securing electrodes to wand — instead spiral wrap should be used instead. *Digital stills, video, and 3-chip used at this deployment

19:30 Proceed to ASU unit at Tica chimney, x = 4562, y = 78166, depth = 2512, heading = 247.

19:30 Took geochem at the top (27–45°C) and at the side (27–57°C); Sipper samples 3 (top) and 4 (side) were taken at this site.

19:49 Recovered ASU, placed in front biobox; repeated geochemistry at scar (143–149°C). Unable to get all of chimney — friable; black smoke coming from scar after recoverey of ASU. *Took digital stills, video.

20:22 Proceeded to TICA site for Cavanaugh FRIES recovery; located on the opposite side of AIS InsECT deployment. Both recovered and placed in rear compartment of biobox.

20:47 Proceed in the direction of Bio 9 to collect Riftia next to a black smoker which we tried to recover but was friable and fell apart when touched (sulfide therefore not collected).