Posted by jessmil on 06/12/2007 3:14 pm

Day 2 - June 12, 2007

Today began with a class session on the emergency procedures that are  performed in a sub should they be needed. These range from a smoldering wire in the cabin, to loss of electrical power. Chances of these situations happening are very remote, but of course its essential that we know what to do should they happen.

In the afternoon we launched (again one at a time) and were towed to a shallower stretch of water to do our first descent. Towing is also an emergency procedure and so that was a good opportunity to experience that feeling. You actually sit on the surface, but as you are towed you become partially submerged and so all you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Once on site, we had a thin line with a buoy on the end of it attached to the sub. This would tell the instructors on the surface where the sub was under the water at all times. Then we began the descent.

Today's dives ranged from 40 to 100 feet in depth depending on where the descents started. The visibility was only 3 to 5 feet and was pretty murky. Once down at depth, we went through a couple of drills as directed over the communications system by the dive supervisor. This culminated in an emergency ascent after a fire drill.

We all managed to carry out these procedures without any problems, although I personally found it a much more intense experience than I had anticipated, and had to calm myself down at one point when I was asked to switch off my oxygen supply. My brain didn't quite accept that that was ok until I was able to rationalise the procedure as part of the emergency drill. After that though, it was all plain sailing, and I even had time to observe the large jellyfish that dared approach the
sub.

I was submerged for approximately 45 mins although it felt like two.

We all agreed that today certainly marks the beginning of an interesting direction for Greenpeace that could prove to be a very effective way of achieving positive environmental protection and change. we all feel very humbled to be able to participate so directly in that potential.

- timo