Activity in the Habitat began at 7:30 am - Josh and Sarah went for the morning trap emptying mission. Bill and I finalised data entry and prepared the Pulsed Amplitude Modulated (PAM) Fluorometer for its deployment down to 50 feet.
The weather is picking up. When we had arrived at Aquarius, the seas were dead flat. Now, as we hear reports of waves and storm activity, we are experiencing the curious sensation of a fluctuating air pressure as the wave pass overhead. Not unpleasant but totally weird!

Due to a small ear issue, I remained above water for the day - while Bill, Josh and Sarah did the necessary diving chores for the day. I continued my measurements in the Aquarius lab on the coral larvae collected from the traps. These measurements seem to be going fine - lots of interesting new insights into the biology of coral larvae seem now possible from this trip. I touched wood and quietly said a quick "whoopee". It is always a nervous time coming to a new ocean and planning to get results within 10 days.

At 21:00, Bill and I left the Habitat and swam through a large school of Barracuda to the reef just opposite the Habitat. We placed performed rapid light curves and fixed the PAM above a coral at 50 feet. While I felt nervous at parting with my $20k instrument, I felt comfortable that I would be asleep not more than 40 m from my baby.

As per day 1 - sleep was easy to find at the end of Day 2.