operational phase of the program to begin when the first team of aquanauts 

 occupied the habitat at 1:30 p.m. Table 5 shows a chronological sequence 

 of significant events leading up to the start of the first mission. 



3-7-70 LSD arrived; offloading and distribution of vans 

 trailers, and other equipment, 



3-8-70 Completion of van and trailer distribution. Began 



installation and integration of surface support center. 



3-16/18-70 Habitat ballasting operation carried out. 



3-18-70 Unloading and commencement of assembly of DDC barge 



which arrived on two C-124 Air National Guard aircraft. 



3-19-70 Emplacement of habitat. 



3-20-70 Installation of Umbilicals, 



3-20/28-70 Habitat checkout. 



3-26-70 Decompression facilities arrive at St. Thomas. 



3-28-70 Modification and strengthening of DDC barge; Air 



National Guard flight scheduled to arrive with DDC 

 equipment cancelled; Mission 1-50 postponed. 



3-29-70 Completed modifications to DDC barge. 



3-31-70 DDC console arrived three days late from Houston, Texas. 



4-1-70 Program dedication on St. John; decompression barge 

 completed on St. Thomas. 



4-2-70 DDC barge tow began at 0500 against 6-8 foot seas. 

 Tie-up at Lameshur Bay causeway pier at 1000 after 

 three breakdowns with locally leased tug with Spanish- 

 speaking Captain who thought the barge's destination 

 was Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and almost 

 couldn't be talked out of that concept. Upon arrival 

 at Lameshur Bay, the Captain in an effort to recover 

 a hand-held radio repeatedly rammed the causeway with 

 his tug. 



4-3-70 Crew familiarization and shake-down of decompression 

 system. A low-pressure leak in the mating flange was 

 noted. Problem finally resolved at 0300 the following 

 morning by shimming the PTC track with one-half dollar 

 coins. 



4-4-70 Begin Mission 1-50 at 1330 hours. 



Table 5. Significant Events During March and Early April 



11-26 



