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Hola Galapagos!

Iconic Galapagos creatures greeted the Golden Shadow as she arrived in the archipelago this week.  Sea lions, sharks, and countless birds came to inspect the new visitors, and the scientific team embarked under the robotic gaze of the Sally light foot crabs.

Sally light=foot crab
Sally light-foot crab

Sea lion in the Galapagos
Sea lion in the Galapagos

After dinner, our thoughts quickly changed to what lies below the sea and talk was dominated by weather and currents.  Strong upwelling, downward and sideways currents are a hazard to divers here. Dive Safety Officer, Nick Cautin, drilled in the rules about buddy diving and how to avoid getting swept away.

Marine iguana
Marine iguana

 

Frigate bird soaring overhead
Frigate bird soaring overhead

A smooth, overnight crossing brought us to the island of Marchena – 130 square kilometers of uninhabited volcanic rock – in northern Galapagos. The Golden Shadow Crew expertly launched the Calcutta dive boat and within the hour tanks, divers, and equipment were on their way to the first coral reef research site.

Transferring dive gear from the Shadow to the Calcutta
Transferring dive gear from the Shadow to the Calcutta

(Photos: Alison Barrat)

To follow along and see more photos, please visit us on Facebook!  You can also follow the expedition on our Global Reef Expedition page, where there is more information about our research and team members.

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