Alvin & Atlantis: A Deep-Sea Blog

Three nights at Guaymas…

onboardalvin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:14:24 +0000

We were only suppose to stay at port for two nights (Thurday and Friday). Instead, we remained at port for an extra night, before departing on Sunday. This was because the Mexican government had yet to give Alvin clearance to dive down. As a result, we lose a day to dive down, leaving only eight days to dive. Now this may not seem like a huge loss, but if we lose another day because of bad weather (Alvin won’t dive unless the weather is fairly calm), then were only down to seven dives. No one onboard is pleased with these turn of events.

The Atlantis…the research vessel!!

onboardalvin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:04:35 +0000

Not the Lost City.

The Atlantis is close to a football field long. It has a total of seven decks, including the Bridge. Heavy machinery is located on just about every deck. There’s a crane and an A-frame on the main deck (more on this later and how it relates to Alvin). I sleep in the upper scientist rooms located just beneath the bridge on the sixth deck. But I spend most of my time working on the fourth deck in one of the many scientific laboratories. There’s also a library, an exercise room, a computer room, a sick bay, and of course, the galley.

Now for some pictures.

A look at the Atlantis as the sun sets.

A look from the stern. The square opening to the very right (below the sphere) is the hanger for Alvin. You can see the very tope of Alvin.

Sorry…

onboardalvin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:20:25 +0000

for not blogging as of late. But, the blog will undergo major expansion today and tomorrow. Stay tuned. I have pictures, commentaries, and stories to tell.

And here’s a picture for all those who like the sun.

onboardalvin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:58:02 +0000

It can be hard living in Portland when it rains almost every day during the winter. Here’s a picture for those in desperate need of some sun.

The tall crane, in the background, is one of many. These cranes are all over Guaymas bay. I’m not sure if they are being used for fishing or some type of construction. Regardless, it doesn’t look like they are in use now.

Better landscape photos to come (that actually show the Sea of Cortez).

For all those that love coke…

onboardalvin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:47:38 +0000

An old sign on a vacant building near the port entrance. More armed guards around the corner.

Customs At Guaymas

onboardalvin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:20 +0000

It took an hour to get through because the scientific equipment didn’t go over well with the custom agents. The highlight was pressing a button that would randomly light either a sign indicating that bag contents needed to be checked (the sign would light red) or not searched (the sign would light green). Luckily, I was the latter and I could leave the two room airport fairly soon after arriving. Some scientists weren’t not so fortunate.

The Prop Plane and Guaymas Airport

onboardalvin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:34:48 +0000

It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. But then again, I was prepared for the worst. The plane had ten rows with two seats on either side. I was actually expecting an Indiana Jones sized plane.

Once the plane was airborne, the flight was like any other commercial flight. Sure the noise from the propellers was loud, but I could tolerate it for the two and half hour flight.

Except for a couple heading to a vacation home in Guaymas, everyone onboard was part of the research cruise. I sat elbow to elbow next to a lively researcher, excited about going on his first dive in Alvin. It was all great fun until we both fell asleep.

Perhaps the greatest surprise was the landing at Guaymas Airport. According to the flight stewardess, only US Airline uses this airport, which is open four hours a day to deal with just two flights: one that arrives and one that departs to Phoenix, Arizona. The airport doesn’t seem to pose much of a security risk. But then again, when three armed men carrying M-16’s greet you from the plane, its only natural to take another look around the airport. A smaller propeller plane, a bunch of scientists, a very small runway, and whole lot of wild grasses all around. I’m still not seeing the risk.

I didn’t take a photo of the airport because I thought these guards would arrest me if I did.

Well, you know the “day” started well when…

onboardalvin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:31:35 +0000

1. I made the flight with plenty of time.
2. There was an empty seat between me (on the aisle) and the man sitting, slumped over, looking out the window.
3. I read the communist manifesto while sipping cranberry juice.
4. And I didn’t forget anything (or at least I haven’t realized yet that I forgot something).

the night before the “day”

onboardalvin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:36:55 +0000

Tomorrow, I will be leaving for the Sea of Cortez (a.k.a. the Gulf of California). It will be a five hour flight from Portland to Guaymas, Mexico with a transfer from an airline jet to a very small, prop plane. Flying in such a small plane will be a first for me. Some say I’m way too cautious but I think most would be fearful of flying through a storm in a prop plane.

On the bright side, the weather forecast is in the 80′s in Guaymas. I won’t be bringing an umbrella. Just shorts, t-shirts, and a whole lot of sun screen. And now, I need to start packing. Its 9:09…my flight leaves in less than twelve hours, talk to you in Guaymas. Cool pictures tomorrow.