The Shrimp Diaries

June 2nd @ 7:05pm – I’m sitting in the ROPOS control room as I write, while the ROV is attached to CORK 1364A (the capping unit and instrumentation package on borehole 1364) at a depth of 1,315 metres. This particular instrument is not permanently connected to the NEPTUNE Network, but it records data continuously and stores it on board. ROPOS has connected and downloaded the data set, and is currently conducting a 1-hour detailed measurement of temperature and pressure data.

While we wait for the detailed log to complete, on the hi-resolution camera we are all watching two bright red shrimp cleaning their home, tasting the water, and probably wondering what all the bright lights are for.

The ROPOS team has music with a heavy beat playing in the background, and there is a running commentary from all of us in the control room (I wish we could capture this as a voice over for the live video stream)… “No, don’t jump!... That’s it fellah, back you go… finish cleaning your porch”.

Blog post and photos by Scott Doehler 
Marine Educator