Even though we are 60 feet under the ocean with the fish and coral for companions, as well as our fellow aquanauts, we are not insulated from the tragedies that unfolded on our first day in saturation.

On Tuesday we went out as planned to our deeper northeastern site from Aquarius. We were elated to be doing our research with the fishes and corals on our first day of the mission. Our spirits were high, and our esprit d'cours was sealed. The visibility was almost 80 feet, and the current was minimal. It was a glorious day indeed. When we returned at noon for our required four hour break we were hit with the horrible news of the morning. We - as was the rest of the nation - were in disbelief. Absorbing the news and then worrying about our own loved ones was enough to make the "emergency only" telephone put to use pronto. If any one of us had family directly affected by these unthinkable acts of terror the mission would have been scrubbed. Thankfully, our families were safe.

Our thoughts of course are with those that have unimaginable suffering. While we can do nothing except offer our good thoughts and prayers, we will continue with our mission.

When we went out Tuesday afternoon I observed some bicolor damselfish meticulously tending and fiercely defending their gardens of algae. But my thoughts kept wandering. I had an image of little old English ladies tending their gardens and carrying on their normal routines only to be abruptly changed forever on that day of infamy when London was bombed. The fish of course don't know what's happening topside. They are busily tending their gardens and depend on us not to mess up their daily routines. So that is what I will strive to do for now. Study the oceans and try to convince others not to mess it up.

It's hard though knowing that there are those in the world who would have it otherwise; those who would attack a way of life to further their own cause. I know we can't live in harmony. Its just not human nature. But we can strive to live peacefully and tolerant.

We hope that as you read our logs and keep up with our mission that we will provide you with a brighter hope for our nation and our world. After all, we must keep in mind that our greater task is to protect and conserve our terrestrial and aquatic world for future generations of damselfish, corals, and of course ourselves.