Wow! That's the best way I know to describe this experience so far. I've been working with the Aquarius operations support staff for 5 months now, but this is my first 10 day saturation mission. Although I have been diving around the habitat for some time now, you really get a different perspective living down here. The view is spectacular! The days consist of doing underwater maintenance and assuring that all systems are operating correctly, as well as keeping track of the scientist's location and allowable excursion times.

Interacting with the "natives" is really cool. While working outside you have constant companions consisting of angelfish, wrasse, damselfish and other assorted species of fish. They hang around you hoping to get a free meal of barnacles that are being knocked off while doing maintenance work. It's really interesting because they "seem" happy to see you coming. Certain fish have distinguishing scars so you know you're seeing the same ones on a daily basis. Stingrays have been present through out the week. Watching them "fly" around and dig in the sand is amazing. The one thing that is the most obvious to me being down here is just how balanced nature is without the presence of man. Every critter has its place in the food chain and their existence appears seamless with their surroundings.

Last night I went out for a dive. Staring back at the habitat lights glowing is the surrounding darkness made me feel as if I was on a distant planet. And in a way we are very "distant" from our terrestrial existence. My favorite part of that dive was watching all of the bioluminescent critters flickering their neon green and blue lights.

My favorite night activity is watching the snook feed on the baitfish. The plankton are attracted to the outside lights and the baitfish are attracted to the plankton. The snook just hang out waiting for the right moment to strike. It's really special to see things that only a small group of people ever get to see. I now understand why everyone on our crew is so anxious to work these saturation missions, because I too am loving every minute!

I urge anyone who has ever dreamed of the ocean to explore it in whatever capacity they can. I know this mission is already halfway complete, but I'm already hoping I get another opportunity to live in the sea, even if it's just for a short while.

Wishing everyone well from the bottom of conch reef,

James Talacek