Oceana Ranger Expedition 2010: On-board Diary
Dive in Formentera
Author: Alex van de Meeberg
Date: July 26, 2010
We were welcomed by lots of jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca). At around 12 meters there were lots of posidonia and some rocks. An espeton (Sphyraena sphyraena), a member of the barracuda family, was also hanging out, and nearby we saw a small grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). Upon reaching the coast we found two caves, with a maximum depth of 7 meters and sandy bottoms. At these depths you can stay down for a long time and we took advantage of that to explore every inch of the caves.
Read More...On the way to Baleares, mountains in the Ibiza canal
Author: Silvia García
Date: July 25, 2010
It is 5:00 P.M. and we are about to arrive at Formentera, hoping to find a place to moor. Here begins the last phase of the campaign, focused on the submerged mountains of Baleares.
Read More...On the way to Baleares, mountains in the Ibiza canal
Author: Silvia García
Date: July 24, 2010
Today we head along the path to two underwater mountains located in the Ibiza canal between Valencia and the Balearic archipelago. This is a practically unknown zone, as nothing more than its geologic features are known. As they do note even have registered names, we called them the Nao Mound, located in front of Cabo de Nao, and Morron de Formentera, located about 20 min from this island.
Read More...Seco De Palos, at greater depths
Author: Silvia García
Date: July 23, 2010
After having to abort the immersions due to problems with the ROV, as we had described a few days ago, we got back to the task of filming this underwater mountain in front of Murcia.
Read More...Diving at Farallon, Murcia
Author: Thierry Lannoy
Date: July 22, 2010
After yesterday’s excellent immersions, we cast off early to approach Farallon Island. This would be setting for today’s dive. A Posidonia meadow surrounds the little island, and its walls are a habitat for the species common in this part of the Mediterranean: Moray eels, scorpion fish, octopuses and Parazoanthus.
We greatly enjoyed this immersion: The water barely has a thermocline, and the temperature does not drop below 24 degrees, visibility is excellent, and there is no discernable current. What's more, the marine life does not cease to surprise us.
Read More...Diving at Islas Hormigas with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO, standing for Instituto Español de Oceanografía)
Author: Silvia García
Date: July 21, 2010
Today we had dived with IEO Murcia personnel, who have taken us to the Reserva Marina Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas [Islas Hormigas Marine Reserve] to photograph the invasive algae Caulerpa racemosa upon the rhodolith bed.
Read More...Filming around Cartagena
Author: Jesús Molino
Date: July 19, 2010
Today is my day off. The divers will be filming around Cartagena and are letting me go with them on the two dives they will be doing today.
I put all the diving material Thierry gives me in a bag. After preparing the equipment, we wait for the zodiac from the dive shop to pick us up. At 9:30 on the dot, we see it coming through the port’s main canal. No need to ask questions. The zodiac is flying the alpha flag that lets everyone know there are divers working underneath; we are surrounded by neoprene, regulators and cameras, so there is no doubt we are going to be diving today.
Read More...Waiting for the part
Author: Silvia García
Date: July 18, 2010
The part we need to repair the ROV won't arrive until Tuesday, so while we're waiting, we take advantage to get some work done that has accumulated during our days at sea.
Read More...Seco de Palos. Problems with the ROV
Author: Silvia García
Date: July 17, 2010
What was supposed to be three intense days of work in Seco de Palos, a seamount in front of the coasts of Murcia, turned into a quick, two-way trip more than 30nm from the coast.
Read More...Crossing Almerimar - Seco de Palos
Author: Alex van de Meeberg
Date: July 16, 2010
Today began with preparations for the crossing: last minute shopping, paying the bills, returning the keys to the toilets and showers - and taking the last normal shower for seven days:-)
The plan for the coming week is to work with the ROV at Seco de Palos, 30 miles east of Cabo de Palos. It would take 20 hours to get from Almerimar to our point of destination, so we left at 11h00 sharp in order to arrive at 07h00 tomorrow to start working at first light.
Read More...
What's New
-
Report17/09/2010
-
Press Release19/08/2010
-
Press Release27/07/2010
