Nautilus Ship Status: Transiting for Repairs
Exploring the ocean is full of challenges, from technical to environmental. During the E/V Nautilus’ recent expedition exploring methane seeps in the Gulf of Mexico, we encountered a problem with compressors on the air conditioning units that cool certain critical systems on the ship.
After a brief attempt to repair it during a port stop in Gulfport, Mississippi, we found that the problem requires more extensive work by a team in St. Petersburg, Florida. The ship is transiting there for repairs that we expect will begin on July 29th and after that will continue on to Belize to pick up the next leg of our expedition exploring the Mesoamerican Reef.
Air conditioning is more than about comfort onboard, it also keeps all of our equipment cooled. The ship’s satellite is how we communicate with our science teams on shore, and broadcast all of our exploration to the public. The equipment that provides it produces a lot of heat, and if not kept properly cooled, it can be permanently damaged.
So, what’s happening on board at the moment? During a transit with little communication with shore, the team mostly focuses on catching up on maintenance of the ship and the vehicles. This is a great time for preparing for the rest of the season.
Check out our recent photo gallery of what the team does on board when not on duty.
What’s next for us in Belize? The deep waters around and off the coasts of the Belizean cayes and atolls, and the Honduran Bay Islands are among the least studied areas of the Caribbean Sea. We will conduct seafloor mapping and ROV exploration of the areas around and offshore the cayes and atolls of the Belize Barrier Reef, including potential mud volcanoes off Turneffe and Lighthouse atolls. We’ll also be surveying for possible shipwrecks in the area.
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