Introduction

Participants

 

R/V Pelagia Cruise SME 117 INDUS
	Diary overview
Monday, 22 December 2008	Indus sunset
This was a relatively quite day here on the Pelagia during our slow but steady survey route to the NW along the Pakistani shelf. However, the day began in a dramatic and not so peaceful way when the Chirp became entangled first with the power cable to the Sparker seismic source and then with the seismic streamer itself. Because the Sparker source involves 4000-volt electric power this is considered a very sensitive and potentially dangerous situation.
The trouble had been caused by the large amplitude waves that had built up during the evening. After untangling this mess the Sparker was brought back onboard to allow the sea to settle, which it kindly did around lunchtime, when we put the instrument back in the water. It's been "so far so good" since that time, although we have been keeping a close watch on this! Nonetheless, this is not such an arduous duty because the weather has been perfect and the sunsets viewed from the stern are spectacular, especially with a cold drink firmly grasped in one hand. Away from the science other important tasks were being attended too. Some of the crew have been constructing a festive Christmas swimming tub, again on the stern region, perhaps to help overheated observers of our misbehaving Chirp system? Some interesting shaped pieces of wood show that this will be no simple bucket of water and we all wait in eager anticipation to see what tomorrow brings us as the creative juices flow in the workshop. Whether you are interested in seismic data or just swimming we are all keeping our fingers crossed for sun and quiet weather tomorrow.