Our profiles went smoothly, but to get them all done we had to return to Aquarius four times to fill our tanks (I tend to use my air faster than the rest of the team, so when my pressure gauge reads 1200, I know it is time for us to turn back). We must always be sure to return to the wet porch with 500 psi in our tanks, for safety reasons. We were using our air a lot faster than usual today because each time we swam back we were fighting a strong current. We pulled ourselves along the excursion line to help us move against the current. The journey along the line is fun, because we pass over beautiful coral outcrops teeming with life, interspersed with white sand patches that remind me of bunkers on a golf course. There are always new sights to see during each dive - every excursion is a new adventure! When we returned to the wet porch, reporters from a Miami television station asked us some questions about the mission and filmed Janet, Mark, Lauren, Danny, and Kristen tending the chambers. Jim and Byron gave them a tour inside Aquarius.

After lunch, Mark and I headed out to collect more deep profiles, this time along the Fifth Navigation Line (everyone's favorite). This was Mark's first chance to go exploring away from the habitat this mission, as he has been tending the chambers every day. On our way out, we saw another Hawksbill turtle swimming along the bottom. I have been on this line a few times, and am starting to learn where a couple of the resident fish like to hang out. For example, at the junction where the line angles right, you can look down and see a squirrelfish in the same spot each time. I also know where to look for a small Nassau grouper. We went to the end of the line, which is at about 90 feet deep. To go deeper, we used a reel to extend a line out to a depth of 110 feet. We have to use reels whenever we swim out of sight from the permanent excursion lines, so that we don't get disoriented and lost. We collected profiles over both sand and reef bottom types, and on our way back to fill tanks, we saw a huge Loggerhead turtle swimming in the distance. My lucky day for turtle sightings! I can't believe tomorrow will already be Day 5 of the mission - it is going by way too fast! I am definitely having the time of my life!