Methane cruise

1.  The team has performed an amazing job dealing with issues as they arise, and the sphere is closed, tested, and almost ready to go.  Some issues about the heater in the ball, and how it has not ever been calibrated, but we believe it will be plenty warm enough, especially when plugged into the ROV.

2.  The final science test in Gordon will be July 15, a core negative which will finish on July 16.

3.  Elevator has been Test Tank tested and needs ISMS/CTD testing once more (tomorrow).  Zincs to be put on ISMS housing.  Acoustic modem needs new batteries.

4.  Mike Conway working on placing tie-downs in the van.  Flat-bed arrives/load/leaves MBARI July 19, and will get to LA harbor around midnight.  Generator to power van arrived yesterday; Scott working with Day electric to get correct connector.  Unknown how long fuel tank will power generator (trucking company does not know).

KUDOS to Doug and Scott for handling the lion's share of D-ESP preparation for travel.

M0 Flip

1.  We will be deploying NEO on August 3, recovery TBD, possibly with Shana Rae.  Roman will lead this deployment, remaining crew TBD.

Drifter

1.   Gene has 3 drifter days planned:  July 12, July 23, August 6.  The first will be using empty, good (not stitch-weld) can.  Second and third deployments will have MACK and each will probably run one complete phase.  MACK currently needs some hand adjustments to ready it for a massive Tina McKlusky workout August 9-16.  Roman will be working on this with Cheri.

 Visitors:

1.  Vanessa from U. Georgia.  August 1-31, then returning for BIOSPACE, Sept 28.  She will be optimizing PCR assays.

2.  Liz Ottesen.  Here now, working to optimize (decrease) the amount of time needed to fix samples, once collected.

3.  Tina McKluskey from Doucette Lab.  She will be creating standard curves for DA on Bruce & Mack, Aug 9-16, in preparation for BIOSPACE.

I think the above are correct.  apologies for mis-statements or misspellings.