The Paparazzi Returns

As we are taking a brief intermission today and tomorrow from diving for ACO, I will take the opportunity to update the photo documentary:

The crane doubling as a carnival ride. Step right up for your chance to switch blocks on the A-frame. Must be taller than Jason to ride.

Jason, doing some sun salutations.  There’s no better time than sunset to have your electronics worked on and your oil changed.

The neon green cable with its banana yellow accents sprucing up the quarterdeck’s grey and forest green.

Pondering the upcoming deployment of the camera and the J-box. Medea will have to budge from the center of attention and the center of the A-frame to allow room for the newcomers. 

The giant eyeball steps up to the plate. After John finishes attaching weights to its feet, it will be ready to free-fall the seafloor.

The eyeball takes in one last, long scan of the horizon. It has to last him 3 or 4 years until the observatory is recovered.

Inside the eyeball, the camera can pan 360˚ to see all the shrimp and fish passersby.

And off the eyeball goes.

The J-box then steps up to the plate. The quarterdeck is indeed a party at this point.

The shackle by which the J-box hangs from Medea is specially made with a large handle for Jason to grasp and unscrew. 

The eyeball says ‘Come on in, the water’s fine’ so the J-box follows suit. 

Once the J-box is lowered a safe distance from the ship’s hull, a bridle is attached to the line and the J-box’s load is transferred to Medea and down the party goes to the bottom of the sea.

The next night, when the J-box was brought back on deck, long poles were used to grab tag lines onto Medea while she swings through the A-frame to the quarterdeck.

After a long day at the bottom of the ocean, the J-box is back to rest among familiar friends in the staging bay.  

While he is resting, many will not as they work away on his cables and connectors.

The after-party on the quarterdeck conferencing on the re-deployment of the J-box.

Once the plan is solidified, Jason and the J-box jump right in.

The cockpit. Though the sun is up on the quarterdeck, the only light that reaches the control van travels down through the water column and back up through Jason’s cameras. 

Dave, logging events. A vigilant watch stander, he never lets an event fall through the grasp of documentation, including “Standing by” and “Discussing the possibility of…”

 As always, the equipment anxiously awaiting deployment requires attention here and there.  Cammy and Dave acquiesce. 

Though not diving for ACO, Jason doesn’t get a break as he is now diving for the geologists. I spent my 0400 to 0800 watch imagining what Jason might do in his free time. 

Photo credit to Cammy, the paparazzi responsible for many of these pictures.