The Mission Begins
August 11, 1999 – With high hopes for a successful first day, we headed out this morning at 0715. We had assigned postions for each member:
- Captain, R/V Cape Fear – Dan Aspenleiter
- Principle Investigator – Dr. John Broadwater
- NOAA Historian – Jeff Johnston
- Diving Safety Officer – Dave Dinsmore
- Dive Supervisor – Cindy Creamer
- Dive Medical Technician (DMT) – Doug Kesling
- Chase Boat Operator – Mike Smith
- Chamber Operator/Chase Boat Support Diver – Ken Johns
- On deck Standby Diver – Lance Horn
- In-water Support Diver (deep) – Terrence Tysall
- In-water Support Diver (shallow) – Michael Ott (also our Diving Medical Officer [DMO])
- Research Diver (team 1) – Charlie Roberson
- Research DIver (team 1) – Tyler Moon
- Research Diver (team 2) – Chris Cote
- Research Diver (team 2) – Kyle Creamer
Utilizing their Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs), team 1 was to make a pass over the wreck to familiarize themselves with an overall picture of the site and then to attempt to locate a couple of items off the bow of the wreck, an old current meter and a pyramid marker with a plaque. Team 2, was to deploy a new current meter approximately 20 feet off the starboard bow.
However, the best laid plans of mice and men . . . The current was in excess of 2 or 3 knots, and after two failed attempts to deploy the divers, today’s mission was aborted and we headed back to the dock.
Stay tuned! We will make an attempt to complete these same tasks tomorrow.