Plan B

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4 May 2006

by Richard, onboard the Esperanza

Esperanza is now anchored off the
Dom João de Castro Bank, a
volcanic caldera

I have yet to experience a campaign or expedition where everything went according to the original plan and this trip is proving no exception. Unfortunately yesterday we lost the Phoenix - our rebuilt drop-cam. We were conducting a deep dive when the drop-cam got stuck and the cable snapped. Bernhard did everything in his powers with the winch to get the dislodge the gear in the final seconds but it just wasn't to be.

This is a serious set back from the team but not the end of our explorations. We still have our ROV (remotely operated vehicle) onboard and dive equipment and so can still gather images even if we can't go as deep as with the drop-cam. Studying the chart yesterday it was soon decided to travel about 70 miles east to a site well known to the University of Azores scientists called Banco Dom João de Castro. On the map above its position is represented by the Esperanza icon. The site is a caldera or depression caused by recent volcanic activity and is unusual in that it possesses a number of shallow water vents. In recognition of these unique features the site has been designated a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive. As we approached the site this morning, some of the crew were lucky enough to see a big baleen whale blow, perhaps another blue, underscoring why this site needs protection.

The 'Azorean Triangle' showing where
we filmed and where the drop-cam
was lost

Our intention is to spend two days working here, and while the film crew do their business develop a plan for recovering the drop camera. From our record of the dive just as the drop camera came to grief we know pretty much exactly where it is located and we know it has 800m of cable attached. Captain Frank has experience in the salvage industry and reckons we have a pretty good chance of retrieving the kit, but wants to spend some time brainstorming with the crew as how best to approach the problem before we give it a go.

- Richard

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Comments

Hi Richard, looks like Murphy's travelling on Espy... ;-)
How deep was the Phoenix when the cable snapped? No diving recovery possible?

I wish you lots n lots of luck in the coming days on your so important mission !!!

So much envy you guys for your meaningful adventure.

Cheers,
Sabine (Singapore)

Posted by: shedives at May 4, 2006 3:06 PM

Bad luck, guys ! But if "Phoenix" is the appropriate name for that #]@!!¤¤ (censored) drop-cam, you should hopefully get it back soon or later.

Wishing you all the best for the next operations, but don't scrape the fragile top of the seamounts, please!
cheers - francois

Posted by: francois at May 5, 2006 8:35 AM

Hey, really sorry about such a catastrophe. I wish you the best of luck in recapturing it and take my hat off to you guys. You're really making a difference.

Posted by: Marc Richards at May 5, 2006 6:29 PM

Hey, really sorry about such a catastrophe. I wish you the best of luck in recapturing it and take my hat off to you guys. You're really making a difference.

Posted by: Marc Richards at May 5, 2006 6:30 PM

That just SUCKS.

Clearly something down there does not want to be seen!

Posted by: Lisa at May 6, 2006 3:30 PM

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