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Aquarius, with cables from the
crane visible, was placed on a barge after retrieval from the seafloor.
Jim Buckley, NURC/UNCW, directed surface-based operations during
the pickup. Note Aquarius is just a couple feet off the barge at
the time of the photograph.
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Aquarius just after it was lifted
from the seafloor in 1996. A crane was used to retrieve Aquarius
from the its baseplate, after which it was placed on a barge for
transfer to HBOI. Three years of marine growth is clearly visible
on the wet porch exterior.
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During the 1996-1997 refurbishment,
the wet porch was detached (for the first time) from the main pressure
vessel to check seals and facilitate cleaning. Air storage flasks
are in the foreground.
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During the 1996-1997 refurbishment,
all plumbing and connectors were removed, and then cleaned or replaced.
This "starboard" view of Aquarius and the detached wet
porch includes a 16 foot ladder for scale.
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Aquarius at the HBOI dock after refurbishment
is completed in 1997. The baseplate remained behind at Conch Reef
during this refurbishment.
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Aquarius hits the water for the
first time after its 1996 refurbishment. The underwater laboratory
was transported to Conch Reef on a barge, where it was picked up
off the barge using a crane, and then lowered to the baseplate waiting
63 feet below.
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