Summary:

Onboard echem not functional
Successful retrieval of InsECT and collection of 2 worms associated with Riftia Remoras
11 Sipper samples collected from InsECT, Tica beehives, Robin’s Nest Alvinella tubes
5 Alvinella pompeijana worms collected into RNA Later preservation chambers
2 beehives collected into coffin
D eployed ASU frying pan @ Tica beehive scar
R etrieved ASU frying pan @ M vent
12-question phone call

Extreme Alka Seltzer experiment

We splashed at 13:57 GMT, descended at 14:12 @ 30 m/min. At 2490 m, (15:27 GMT) we sighted bottom, and found the elevator carrying floatation for InsECT by 15:28 GMT (2503 m, x4227y78042). Gaining neutral buoyancy and the 380 m transit to Tica (380o) took approximately 20 minutes.

Saw many amphipods, shrimp, zoarcids, cucumbers (red & purple), rattails, galatheids.

Arrived at Tica (x4576, y78176, 2513 m) and started setting up for temperature and Sipper sampling of worms targeted by InsECT (15:57 GMT). Good Pan&Tilt and 3-chip coverage of general layout (16:05-16:16:20 GMT). Neither Riftia Remora had been ejected by worms, but tube on the right had bent significantly. Left-most tube appeared normal. Fired Sipper #1 on Riftia Remora with yellow marking tape (16:21 GMT, 4.5°C). Fired Sipper #2 on other Riftia Remora (16:25 GMT, 5oC). Fired Sipper #3 on articulating arm with yellow-marked Vimco (16:29 GMT, 4.8°C) and Sipper #4 on Black Vimco (16:31 GMT, 6.5oC). Good 3-chip coverage of each appendage (16:35 GMT). Best Riftia Remora was out of range of starboard manipulator, but got shots of it with port and starboard P&T (16:40-16:49). Then removed Riftia Remora on ‘bent” tubeworm (16:44 GMT) and plucked the Riftia, too (16:50 GMT). Worm had ‘funny hook shape’ at base and was put into rear of large coffin. Other Riftia Remora and Riftia were collected (16:52-16:54 GMT). This tube had small Tevnia on its base. Finally bent articulating arms back over InsECT body and attempted to hook bridle with flotation from elevator (16:58-17:27 GMT). Much difficulty with hooking bridle as videotapes were running out — may have been switched after much action passed, but got footage of elevator flying away (17:27 GMT).

We swung the sub around Tica to face the smoker (17:36 GMT, x4573y78174, 207o, 2512 m), and fired Sippers 5 & 6 on the lower (~44°C) and upper beehives (~70°C) at 17:50 and 17: 52 GMT. Attempted to collect lower beehive, but it mostly crumbled while maneuvering to coffin (17:56 GMT). Beautiful grab of upper, larger beehive at 17:58 GMT. Manipulator flattened orifice and collected one more piece of sulfide into coffin. Temperatures of scar ranged 212-274°C for the lower scar and 317-324°C for the upper scar (18:04 GMT). Deployed ASU frying pan at 18:10 GMT, and collected Sipper #7 just above screen with venting fluid, at 66oC. Good P&T, 3-chip, stills, & H.H. video (18:17-18:21 GMT).

At 18:26 GMT, we received word from an anxious, out of breath, Pat to drive east now and fast because the elevator may have fallen from the surface. We ran away to x4870, y78162 (2508 m) and waited for the "all clear" from Top Lab. In the meantime, we completed the Alka-Seltzer test, observing no bubbling at 2500+ m. Received word that InsECT was safe on deck at 18:47 GMT.

Transit to M vent (, 18:53 GMT, 331o, 800 m). Arrived at 19:19 GMT (x4386, y78890, 2503 m) and got good P&T & 3-chip of frying pan (19:19-19:22 GMT). Participated in 12-question phone call from schools participating in the Extreme 2003 Education & Outreach Web Program (19:19-19:34 GMT) while gathering temperatures around pan, ranging from 106-195°C. Pan was collected at 19:34 GMT. Temperature of scar was up to 342°C.

Moved over to Robin’s Roost for Alvinella collection (19:42 GMT). Sipper #8 fired at 19:50 GMT (39°C), #9 fired at 19:52 GMT (46°C), #10 at 19:55 GMT (44°C), and #11 at 19:58 GMT (50°C), all in worm tubes within 2 m2. Sipper #12 would not fire. Scraped away some worm tubes and collected five into Chamber #1 (20:03 GMT). Confirmed RNA Later venting with P&T (20:20 GMT). Collected two more Alvinellas into Chamber 2 (20:23-20:27 GMT).

Scarred sulfide temperature was 90–101°C. EXTREMELY low on power, dropped weights at 20:32 GMT, 2506 m. Confirmed RNA Later in Chamber #2 at 20:34 GMT.

Bounced on thermocline (22:19GMT, 40 m) and surfaced at 22:21 GMT.

Dropped weights at 21:15 GMT.

Surfaced at 22:45 GMT.