Today (Friday 7/30) Alvin training began. Everyone in the science party has the opportunity to complete training regardless of it they are scheduled to dive or not. This allows young scientists the opportunity to experience what it is like to climb inside of Alvin and to imagine what it would be like to travel to the bottom of the ocean confined in a small space with two other people (Alvin can dive up to 4,500meter water depth).
Today (Saturday 7/31) we will be paring off and allowed to enter Alvin. It is an exciting and somewhat intimidating experience. The things that this small sub has seen include the discovery of the titanic, discovery of the hydrothermal vents (places where hot fluids are flowing out of the seafloor), and other adventures too numerous to count! You can look through the windows and just imagine the Titanic rising into view, the scorching majesty of the first sight of hydrothermal vents, or the unified waving of Yeti crabs at methane seeps. The ability of scientists and Pilots to see these amazing things firsthand is what sets this sub apart from the world of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s). Details about the submersible Alvin can be found at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, but I will outline a few things about the unit. Alvin is a submersible that has the ability to hold 3 people (one pilot and two observers). It runs off of battery power and is therefore not tethered or connected to the ship in any way. The fact that it is battery powered has its advantages as well as disadvantages. One of the main disadvantages being that as batteries are used they will eventually run low forcing Alvin stop work and return home. Alvin operated 8hrs per day, therefore the amount of time you can spend on the bottom depends on the water depth and how long it takes to get to the bottom and back. Because it is a contained system the cabin is outfitted with an oxygen tank and carbon dioxide scrubber, so air is recycled and you have to hope that the other two people in Alvin did not have beans for breakfast. In the case of an emergency (i.e. fire or entrapment of the sub) a slow bleed of oxygen, via the two back up oxygen tanks to the cabin and full function of the CO2 scrubber providing enough air for the 3 divers for up to 3 days.
What do you eat in Alvin?
Food that is provided for divers in Alvin typically consists of a peanut butter and honey sandwich, a ham and cheese sandwich, an apple, and a candy bar, with a thermos of water. Most divers don’t drink much during the dive because Alvin has no bathroom.
Where do you go?
When nature calls the pilot hands you a small plastic container. And everyone else looks out the window. Females are provided with extra accessories and a blanket screen for additional privacy. The plastic containers are stored in a small metal compartment until they are needed again. One of your post dive duties is to take care of your plastic container.
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