Date: July 2, 2019
The strong current of the Gulf Stream caused us to have to cancel the day’s dive, so we headed north towards tomorrow’s dive site. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Windows to the Deep 2019. Download larger version (jpg, 4.6 MB).
Unfortunately, we were unable to dive today due to strong currents from the Gulf Stream in the vicinity of our dive site. During the drift test, currents were over 3 knots, which was too high to safely proceed with the dive planned at North Richardson Hills. After an attempt at another nearby feature, the team concluded that we would not be able to get to divable conditions. Our at-sea team assessed conditions, our itinerary, and the balance of remaining expedition objectives and decided to use the day to transit into our northern operating area offshore North Carolina. The remainder of our remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and mapping operations this expedition will be conducted offshore of the Outer Banks and will include canyon, seep, and underwater cultural heritage sites.
Even though we didn’t have an ROV dive today, we were able to do a live educational interaction with children attending summer camp at the Sea Center at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Our expedition coordinator and science leads were thrilled to field some very perceptive questions and insights from these 6 to 9 year old explorers!
Mission control oversees the technical side of livestreaming an educational interaction between the expedition coordinator and lead scientists of the Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition and summer campers at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Windows to the Deep 2019. Download larger version (jpg, 4.5 MB).
During a live-streamed educational interaction, the expedition coordinator and lead scientists of the Windows to the Deep 2019 expedition talk with summer campers at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Windows to the Deep 2019. Download larger version (jpg, 3.9 MB).
Strong currents from the Gulf Stream have made their presence known on this expedition. If you find yourself wanting to learn more about the Gulf Stream, check out this letter describing the Gulf Stream and other “Sundry Maritime Observations,” written by founding father Benjamin Franklin. A timely read as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day!
