18 MAJOR PROGRAM AREAS 



Fig. 12. Aquanaut Meeks holds on to a rock outcrop- 

 ping at the edge of Scripps Canyon, Z66 ft below the 

 surface 



faunas, and recording the activities of organisms and their relationships with each other and 

 with the physical environment. 



It was possible to carry out an extensive survey of the organisms present around Sealab. 

 The data indicate that an object the size of Sealab provided with lights is a very effective fish 

 attractant. Observations of predatory and other behavioral interactions, and of patterns of 

 distributiwi, have given a preliminary idea of the structure and dynamics of the community of 

 animals, particularly fish, attracted to such artificial substrates. 



The oceanographic program conducted by Scripps Institution of Oceanography also included 

 an underwater weather station, which was installed and maintained by the aquanauts (Chapter 

 41). The weather station provided measurement of current speed and direction, temperature, 

 pressure, and ambient light. The data were recorded in Sealab II for diver use and was trans- 

 mitted through the benthic laboratory to a shore station where more detailed analysis could 

 be performed. 



The data indicate that many phenomena contribute to underwater weather. The identity 

 and relative contributions of the many possible sources of energy will require more extensive 

 measurement and spectral analysis. Weather at this depth could not be predicted by simple 

 manipulation of measured surface parameters, such as waves and tides. 



SALVAGE 



The Supervisor of Salvage, U.S. Navy, sponsored a number of ship-salvage-oriented proj- 

 ects in Sealab II (Chapter 42). The general objectives of the several tasks were: 



1. To demonstrate the feasibility of conducting long-term salvage operations mounted 

 out of a bottom habitat. 



