EXPEDITION JOURNAL FilterExpedition Journal April 4, 2012Believing in ExplorationBelieving in Exploration Today we made two more dives with the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER. They were brief…Read More April 2, 2012The Master BuilderRead More April 1, 2012The Sub TamerThe Sub Tamer Ulithi Atoll Last night the Mermaid Sapphire left the lagoon and steamed to the deep…Read More March 31, 2012The Checklist GuruThe Checklist Guru Ulithi This morning we moved the Mermaid Sapphire a short distance inside the Ulithi lagoon…Read More March 29, 2012The Curiosity ChromosomeThe Curiosity Chromosome Asor Island This morning we moved the Mermaid Sapphire half a mile east into the…Read More March 29, 2012Creating the Expedition “Memory”Creating the Expedition “Memory” Ulithi This morning the Mermaid Sapphire steamed south of Falalop Island for two…Read More March 28, 2012Resolute CourageResolute Courage Ulithi At dawn this morning, after steaming southwest all night, the Mermaid Sapphire arrived at…Read More March 26, 2012We Just Did the ImpossibleWe Just Did the Impossible The Challenger Deep, Mariana Trench “He’s on the bottom. His…Read More March 23, 2012Master NavigatorMaster Navigator “We do it for the betterment of our people. We do it for…Read More March 22, 2012The First TransferThe First Transfer Onboard the S.S. Barakuda, steaming to Ulithi Atoll At midday we’re on a…Read More March 21, 2012Talking with Dr. Kevin HandTalking with Dr. Kevin Hand At noon, the survey ship Barakuda is 130 sea miles south of…Read More March 20, 2012On Route to the Challenger DeepOn Route to the Challenger Deep After a full day preparing the ship, the sub,…Read More March 19, 2012Good FriendsGood Friends The wind has dropped off to 15 knots and the waves are diminishing…Read More March 18, 2012A Hive of WorkA Hive of Work Apra Harbor, Guam For the past four days, 30-knot winds and…Read More March 15, 2012An Issue on Everyone’s MindAn Issue on Everyone’s Mind Apra Harbor, Guam This morning, just after sunrise, on the…Read More March 14, 2012Resupply in “Typhoon Alley”Resupply in “Typhoon Alley” Apra Harbor, Guam This morning, with wind and waves still punishing…Read More March 13, 2012A Force 6 SeaA Force 6 Sea In the western Pacific, south of Guam The big waves and…Read More March 12, 2012An Adventure in VertigoAn Adventure in Vertigo Western Pacific Ocean, in the eastern Caroline Islands We move around…Read More March 11, 2012Pollywogs and ShellbacksPollywogs and Shellbacks A few hours after we crossed the equator, a hoary old King…Read More March 10, 2012The Mother of All OceansThe Mother of All Oceans Western Pacific Ocean, north of Papua New Guinea For all…Read More March 7, 2012Record-Breaking DiveRecord-Breaking Dive Solomon Sea, south of New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea “DEEPSEA CHALLENGER had both…Read More March 6, 2012A Significant DiscoveryA Significant Discovery Jaquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Just before noon, the Mermaid…Read More March 5, 2012Excellent WomenExcellent Women Rabaul, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Early this morning, on our way…Read More March 3, 2012A (Cautionary) Tour of the Mermaid SapphireA (Cautionary) Tour of the Mermaid Sapphire Solomon Sea, south of New Britain Island On…Read More March 2, 2012Preparing a “Great Whale”Preparing a “Great Whale” Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea A sprawling gray…Read More March 1, 2012Planning and PaddlingPlanning and Paddling Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea For the ninth day…Read More February 29, 2012Postdive Truths RevealedPostdive Truths Revealed Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea The first 24-hour period…Read More February 28, 2012A Critical StepA Critical Step Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Today, Jim spent six…Read More February 27, 2012Keep on Truckin’Keep on Truckin’ Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Another test dive was…Read More February 26, 2012Built for the SeaBuilt for the Sea Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Yesterday we got…Read More February 25, 2012Visitors View the SubVisitors View the Sub Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea This morning, Captain…Read More February 24, 2012Team GeniusTeam Genius Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea After long, sun-hot days on…Read More February 23, 2012We’ve Got a Deep-Diving SubWe’ve Got a Deep-Diving Sub Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Today Jim…Read More February 22, 2012Camera HellCamera Hell Jacquinot Bay, New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea Yesterday, Jim tried to take…Read More February 21, 2012Preparing for the First 1,000-Meter DivePreparing for the First 1,000-Meter Dive On board the Mermaid Sapphire in Jacquinot Bay, Papua New Guinea…Read More February 20, 2012The Ring of FireThe Ring of Fire On board the Mermaid Sapphire near Rabaul, Papua New Guinea “This is not…Read More February 19, 2012The Best of VoyagesThe Best of Voyages On board the Mermaid Sapphire on the Solomon Sea, 100 miles from Rabaul,…Read More February 16, 201250 Ways to Get Hurt50 Ways to Get Hurt On board the Mermaid Sapphire steaming from Sydney, Australia, to Rabaul, Papua…Read More February 14, 2012Hard Work and HistoryHard Work and History On board the Mermaid Sapphire steaming from Sydney, Australia, to Rabaul, Papua New…Read More February 9, 2012A No-HitterA No-Hitter On board the Mermaid Sapphire off Sydney, Australia “Mariners call this a confused sea,” Captain…Read More February 4, 2012Men DownMen Down “Abort the dive.” When I heard these words as I entered the sub…Read More February 2, 2012Seasick on the Mermaid SapphireSeasick on the Mermaid Sapphire Last night we headed back to Jervis Bay—a ten-hour passage…Read More January 31, 2012Jim Takes First Piloted DiveJim Takes First Piloted Dive The heat coming off the electronics system pushed the temperature…Read More January 31, 2012Predive PreparationsPredive Preparations Sydney Harbour, Australia The team is getting better. Yesterday it took five hours…Read More January 26, 2012DEEPSEA CHALLENGER Makes First “Dive”DEEPSEA CHALLENGER Makes First “Dive” Sydney Harbour, Australia Last night, while the city slept, a…Read More January 24, 2012Launch-and-Recovery Trials in Jervis BayLaunch-and-Recovery Trials in Jervis Bay Jervis Bay, Australia From decades of exploring oceans, I know…Read More January 23, 2012Don Walsh Visits the Expedition TeamDon Walsh Visits the Expedition Team Sydney, Australia “I expected to find pieces; I didn’t…Read More January 22, 2012About Dr. Joe MacInnisAbout Dr. Joe MacInnis Dr. Joe MacInnis is a physician-scientist, writer, and deep-sea explorer who…Read More
