Day 8

Well, it looks as though Im the only sunken soul who hasnt sent in a journal entry, so I might as well jump on the bandwagon.

Life in an underwater habitat is an experience words fail to describe. However, if asked to sum up my 10 day stay into poetic verse, it would probably elude to the inside of a skunked beer can sitting in the warm Florida sun after having been used as a bowling pin on a league night. I’m not saying this stay has been unpleasant, but the words wet, smelly and under pressure would be in my rhyming repertoire. But I digress.

After 10-12 hours a day on the reef, the fish have now accepted us a part of the natural biota. This was not our intent, but it has been enjoyable watching the damselfish occupying themselves with territory disputes concerning parts of our body. In fact one particular grouper has decided that my armpit makes a very nice shady rest area, and gets visibly upset when I reposition myself for subsequent data runs.

There is something very Joules Vern’ish about the whole scene when I take a moment to gaze around at the landscape and my eyes come to rest on my bedroom window…100 feet away and under 60 feet of water. Not to mention that in between my present abode and myself swims scores of fish, eels, rays and the occasional shark.

Thanks to those who gave me the opportunity to be here. And to the staff at NURC, thanks for being professional, knowledgeable, extremely agreeable and creating an atmosphere where science is not hindered by anything but the occasional freak act of nature (e.g. hurricanes, storms, pirates, etc.).

Well, I think I’ve said my fill. The galley porthole is calling me for a good sitting spell. To all those topsiders and landlubbers, have the rum on ice for when I breach the surface. And look out, I haven’t seen the sun in 10 days!