Typical Hatteras Conditions
Remember, the official web site for the Monitor Expedition is http://monitor.nos.noaa.gov/.
August 19, 1999 – We were joined today on board the R/V Cape Fear by a news team from WRAL5, Amanda Lamb and cameraman, Joe Frieda. The team assignments for today were:
- 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
- Diving Medical Officer (DMO) – Michael Ott
- Dive Medical Technician (DMT)/On deck Standby Diver – Doug Kesling
- Chase Boat Operator – Mike Smith
- Chamber Operator/Chase Boat Support Diver – Ken Johns
- In-water Support Diver (deep) – Kyle Creamer
- In-water Support Diver (shallow) – Chad Roberts
- Research Diver – Chris Cote
- Resaerch Diver – Terrence Tysall
- Research Diver – Michael Ott
- Research Diver – John Chluski
The wind was blowing 10 to 15 knots and the seas were 4 to 5 feet. The current seemed to be less on the surface than yesterday, so the team deployed the breakaway line. A fresh cylinder of supply gas for the air lift was also deployed. When the team reached approximately 100 feet a signifigant subsurface current was encountered, and so the team elected to head to the bottom and pull themselves into the lee of the wreck. The visibility was in the 20 foot range depending on one’s location on the wreck. One of the team elected, after dealing with the conditions, to ascend while the remaining three man team continued with the dredging operations. For research data recovered be sure to visit the official Monitor website.
The usual debreifing was held after the dive, and plans for tomorrow were discussed. Upon reaching shore, everyone’s favorite activity, gas mixing, occured. This of course was led by Mr. MIX himself, Ken Johns, assisted by team Gumby.