If you are reading this, then my title most likely grabbed your attention. As I have mentioned previously there are swimmers tasked with removing lines on the sub for launches and attaching lines for recovery. After a couple days on site, the ship began attracting some attention. Almost every dive for 5 dives straight the swimmers would see a white tip shark near them in the water. There is an older gentleman who works with the Sentry AUV team, and he enjoys casting some fishing line in his free time. On a recent night I saw him casting off the port stern when I noticed his rod tip begin to bend. I rushed over to help him land the fish and I brought Scott, a swimmer in training. Some context on Scott; he is a Texan who hates the ocean, and he is only working with Alvin because the electronics are fascinating. However, he is required to swim, so he has been going out with the sharks and hating his life. He was the nearest person, maybe I should not have brought him with me. Anyway, Dana, the man fishing, landed a small skipjack tuna no larger than 8 inches. I helped him remove the lure and we released the fish. Dana casted again, and in no more than 5 seconds another fish was on. In just another 5 seconds we all witnessed a shark steal the fish off the line with blinding speed. The fish was there and then it was gone. Scott was very happy to see just how deadly the sharks can be. Needless to say Dana is not allowed to fish anymore because it is only increasing the shark activity.
As I was removing a cover on the top of the sub the other day, a bright red spider scurried out. What appeared to be a spider was actually a crab which took a ride all the way from 3,000 meters down. I gave it to the scientists to study, and went on with my day. I can't imagine what the lil bro was thinking. Going from immense pressure and zero light, to extremely low ambient pressure and hot sunlight.
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