384 



particular advantage in that it now has a depth capability to 4,000 

 meters and has a manipulating arm which allows very, very pre- 

 cise sampling on the bottom. 



What we see in this slide are a quiver with a series of core tubes 

 with T-handles. These T-handles allow for remote-controlled attach- 

 ment by the ALVIN manipulating arm and sampling in close prox- 

 imity to whatever we want to look at on the bottom. 



Next slide, please. 



(Slide No. 5.) 



Slide No. 5 



Slide No. 5 is a dramatic shot of the ALVIN as it is about to 

 submerge. I should point out that while these may seem like rou- 

 tine submersible dives in order to go to that 3,800 meter depth we 

 had to get the whole submersible system recertified by the Navy. 

 Up until that time it had been certified to a depth of approximate- 

 ly 12,200 feet. To go to this depth, it had to be recertified for 13,200 

 feet. Right now, that 4,000 meter or 13,200 feet depth of certifica- 

 tion is maximum. 



As we will see in a few minutes, we found drums at this site at 

 3,985 meters, only 15 meters short of the maximum depth this 

 submersible can go. 



If there are drums further out, there is no readily available 

 system to go down there to take direct observations. 



Next slide, please. 



(Slide No. 6.) 



