Unfortunate turn of events

The ship is currently suffering serious mechanical issues and it is very unlikely that we will be able to continue on with the cruise. We are currently operating on one propeller and finishing up a few last stations before making a port stop in the Cape Verde islands to assess the damage. The repair will require the boat to go into dry dock and would be too lengthy to be able to continue on. We will arrive in Cape Verde Nov. 4 to have a professional make the final call, but at this time it is almost certain we will have to fly home from there.

This device is a robotic probe used as part of the Argo program for oceanography. While in transit we drop the probes into the ocean where they sink to the bottom and resurface after 10-days. Upon breaking the surface the top antenna transmits conductivity, salinity and temperature data along with GPS location to a satellite that logs the data. All data logged through the program is free and assessable online. The device will continue to sink and resurface for up to five years before the batteries fail and the device is laid to rest at the bottom of the ocean.