MiningImpact Expedition Logbook, May 15, 2021 Blog #18: Observations of a camera man
At first, I don't understand anything about what I'm filming. But I can see that the scientists seem to be working well together. When the sampling equipment arrives on deck from a depth of several thousand meters, everything has to go very quickly in order to bring the samples immediately into the refrigerated cold lab. The water temperature on the seabed is around 1.4 °C in this part of the deep sea. When taking samples, everyone lends a hand, as it’s all about minimising the time in which the samples could warm up too quickly due to the tropical heat and the analysis of the sample would be erroneous.
This common procedure for taking samples of water and sediments from the deep sea is also exemplary for other processes, such as the retrieval of manganese nodules.
As in an orchestra, every scientist or technician has his or her own task and must also be able to play a different instrument, which means that he/she is also involved in the procurement of other samples. The big stage on board is the ship's back deck with the wooden planks and all of its cranes. This is where the main event takes place.
Over time, I start to understand what’s going on, because at first it often comes down to the same thing: bringing samples from the deep seabed to the ship, processing them quickly in the refrigerated cold lab and then performing all sorts of possible analyses while still on the ship, if possible. The first important steps have been taken before further investigations can follow over the next few months and years in the home laboratories.
Even after five weeks, it is nice to see the professional and personal exchange between this large group of ship's crew, scientists and technicians. Daily interaction is characterised by tolerance, respect and appreciation. That is definitely not something that can be taken for granted. I have learnt from some of the scientists and technicians that they often take part in similar expeditions. I can understand why!
Thomas Aigner/ SWR
 Journalist Michael Stocks and camera man Thomas Aigner in front of the ISLAND PRIDE in the port of San Diego with their gear
Source: Nils Maschmann
 Onboard interviews are common practice
Source: Nils Maschmann
 Filming in the ROV control room
Source: Michael Stocks
 The team: Journalist Michael Stocks and camera man Thomas Aigner
Source: Nils Maschmann
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