Mission Plan
Mission Plan

Education
Education

Cave Diving
Caves

Geology
Geology

Biology
Biology

Rebreathers
Rebreathers

Underwater Imaging
Underwater Imaging

Explorers
Explorers

 

 

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the Bermuda Deep Water Caves 2011 exploration. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Multiple video formats are available on the linked pages. If a Podcast icon Podcast Icon is present, a video or audio file is available for download or you can subscribe to the RSS Podcast Feed. NOAA Podcast RSS 2.0 Feed

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

camera icon Video & Slideshows

Join the Iliffe dive team as they explore the Bermuda shelf edge to confirm the existence of once dry now submerged deep-water caves and collect unique biology.

camera icon Mission Summary
Join the Iliffe dive team as they explore the Bermuda shelf edge to confirm the existence of deep-water caves.

Watch a video about the roles and responsibilities of the safety diver.

camera icon June 22 Log
Watch a video about the roles and responsibilities of the safety diver.

Jill Heinerth and Brian Kakuk suit up and dive on Challenger Seamount.

camera icon June 19 Log
Jill Heinerth and Brian Kakuk suit up and dive on Challenger Seamount.

 

Bermuda Deep Water Caves explorers dive on Natural Bridge Cave, and encounter a large manta ray during decompression.

camera icon June 16 Log
Bermuda Deep Water Caves explorers dive on Natural Bridge Cave, and encounter a large manta ray during decompression.

While working to prepare their gear, members of the dive team provide an overview of the project and the safety concerns involved.

camera icon June 13 Log
While working to prepare their gear, members of the dive team provide an overview of the project and the safety concerns involved.

Slideshow of the preparation and aftermath of the June 18th dive on Challenger Seamount.

camera icon June 19 Log
Slideshow of the preparation and aftermath of the June 18th dive on Challenger Seamount.

Slideshow of biological samples prepared in the lab by the Bermuda Deep Water Caves Team.

camera icon June 27 Log
Slideshow of biological samples prepared in the lab by the Bermuda Deep Water Caves Team.

 

Images

A group shot of the Bermuda Deep Water Caves team.

Mission Summary
A group shot of the Bermuda Deep Water Caves team. (HR)

Alex Chequer following the the Pourquoi Pas after the last dive of the expedition.

Mission Summary
Alex Chequer following the the Pourquoi Pas after the last dive of the expedition. (HR)

Tom climbing back on vessel after a 450 ft dive.

Mission Summary
Tom climbing back on vessel after a 450 ft dive. (HR)

The surface conditions were perfect for the last dive; this photo is of Tom and Jill in the water making their way to the surface at 80 ft depth.

Mission Summary
The surface conditions were perfect for the last dive; this photo is of Tom and Jill in the water making their way to the surface at 80 ft depth. (HR)

Tom and Jill showing the depth of their last dive.

Mission Summary
Tom and Jill showing the depth of their last dive. (HR)

Tom and Paul catching up with Robbie and a local Bermuda scientist.

Mission Summary
Tom and Paul catching up with Robbie and a local Bermuda scientist. (HR)

Button cup coral sample from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth.

June 27 Log
Button cup coral sample from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth. (HR)

Button cup coral sample from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth.

June 27 Log
Black coral from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth. (HR)

Holothurian or Sea Cucumber collected from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth.

June 27 Log
Holothurian or Sea Cucumber collected from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth. (HR)

Spondylus or spiny oyster (bivalve) from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth.

June 27 Log
Spondylus or spiny oyster (bivalve) from North Rock Cave at 200 ft depth. (HR)

School of Almaco Jack greeting divers at the top of the Challenger Seamount wall at a depth of 200 ft.

June 26 Log
School of Almaco Jack greeting divers at the top of the Challenger Seamount wall at a depth of 200 ft. (HR)

Tom starting to reel from 448 ft depth.

June 26 Log
Tom starting to reel from 448 ft depth. (HR)

Tom (still) reeling back up to anchor line at 200 foot depth.

June 26 Log
Tom (still) reeling back up to anchor line at 200 foot depth. (HR)

Tom and Brett on the deco bar at 20 foot depth.

June 26 Log
Tom and Brett on the deco bar at 20 foot depth. (HR)

Silhouettes of the team at the deco bar and at the surface waiting for divers to return from the last dive.

June 26 Log
Silhouettes of the team at the deco bar and at the surface waiting for divers to return from the last dive. (HR)

 

 

 

Brett Gonzalez checking the pressure of the oxygen deco tanks.

June 22 Log
Brett Gonzalez checking the pressure of the oxygen deco tanks. (HR)

Brett Gonzalez preparing the rigging of Aluminum 80 deco bottle.

June 22 Log
Brett Gonzalez preparing the rigging of Aluminum 80 deco bottle. (HR)

Brett Gonzalez assisting Tom to prep his rebreather.

June 22 Log
Brett assisting Tom to prep his rebreather. (HR)

Brett carrying his double AL80s to the boat for his role as safety diver.

June 22 Log
Brett carrying his double AL80s to the boat for his role as safety diver. (HR)

Brett lending Paul a hand placing deco tanks.

June 22 Log
Brett lending Paul a hand placing deco tanks. (HR)

Brett acting as a deck hand recovering the anchor line.

June 22 Log
Brett acting as a deck hand recovering the anchor line. (HR)

Nic Alvarado greeting Jill at depth.

June 22 Log
Nic Alvarado greeting Jill at depth. (HR)

Ondrej Hindl and Tom Iliffe looking down on the diver as they reach the stern of the boat.

June 22 Log
Ondrej Hindl and Tom Iliffe looking down on the diver as they reach the stern of the boat. (HR)

Paul, pre-breathing his optima before the dive, gives the OK signal.

June 21 Log
Paul, pre-breathing his optima before the dive, gives the OK signal. (HR)

Brett and Brian deploy weighed down line.

June 21 Log
Brett and Brian deploy weighed down line. (HR)

Brian lending Paul a hand getting back into the boat.

June 21 Log
Brian lending Paul a hand getting back into the boat. (HR)

Tom looking at the bright side of the aborted dive, relieved that the dive was called prior to him getting in the water.

June 21 Log
Tom looking at the bright side of the aborted dive, relieved that the dive was called prior to him getting in the water. (HR)

Brian Kakuk collects samples around Challenger seamount.

June 19 Log
Brian Kakuk collects samples around Challenger seamount. (HR)

Brian Kakuk reeling back to starting point from depth. A reel was used to lead the deep diving team back to the mooring line.

June 19 Log
Brian Kakuk reeling back to starting point from depth. A reel was used to lead the deep diving team back to the mooring line. (HR)

Brian Kakuk collects samples around Challenger seamount while looking for marine caves.

June 19 Log
Brian Kakuk collects samples around Challenger seamount while looking for marine caves. (HR)

 

Between 215 and 240 feet we found an ancient reef line. Many pockets in the relief were filled with lionfish.

June 18 Log
Between 215 and 240 feet we found an ancient reef line. Many pockets in the relief were filled with lionfish. (HR)

Safety Diver Brett Gonzalez and Brian Kakuk decompressing on the line.

June 18 Log
Safety Diver Brett Gonzalez and Brian Kakuk decompressing on the line. (HR)

Captain Graham Maddocks bravely gives Paul Heinerth a run at driving the Triangle Divers' boat, Pourquoi Pas. Doc Pete, Marcus and Brian are in the back row.

June 18 Log
Captain Graham Maddocks bravely gives Paul Heinerth a run at driving the Triangle Divers' boat, Pourquoi Pas. (HR)

 

Brett Gonzalez assists Tom Iliffe with his bailout tanks as he prepares to dive on a beautiful flat sea.

June 17 Log
Brett Gonzalez assists Tom Iliffe with his bailout tanks as he prepares to dive on a beautiful flat sea. (HR)

Captain Graham Maddocks and Brett Gonzalez select a steep drop on the bottom finder before deploying the mooring.

June 17 Log
Captain Graham Maddocks and Brett Gonzalez select a steep drop on the bottom finder before deploying the mooring. (HR)

Brian Kakuk ready to deploy missile shaped weight over the side.

June 17 Log
Brian Kakuk ready to deploy missile shaped weight over the side. (HR)

Safety diver and local Bermudian, Gil Nolan, keeps watch until the divers are ready to plunge.

June 17 Log
Safety diver and local Bermudian, Gil Nolan, keeps watch until the divers are ready to plunge. (HR)

Brian Kakuk uses his pre dive check sheet to prepare his Megalodon CCR.

June 17 Log
Brian Kakuk uses his pre dive check sheet to prepare his Megalodon CCR. (HR)

Brian Kakuk and Paul Heinerth at work.

June 16 Log
Brian Kakuk and Paul Heinerth at work. (HR)

Lionfish and Butterfly fish at depth.

June 16 Log
Lionfish and Butterfly fish at depth. (HR)

Image of rock sample collected from depth.

June 16 Log
Image of rock sample collected from depth. (HR)

Paul Heinerth making his ascent and following his decompression schedule.

June 16 Log
Paul Heinerth making his ascent and following his decompression schedule. (HR)

Paul Heinerth collecting geological samples at depth.

June 16 Log
Paul Heinerth collecting geological samples at depth. (HR)

Jill Heinerth waiting for her decompression schedule to end.

June 16 Log
Jill Heinerth waiting for her decompression schedule to end.

Silouhette of Tom Iliffe at Deep Blue Cave, Walsingham System.

June 14 Log
Silouhette of Tom Iliffe at Deep Blue Cave, Walsingham System.

Brian Kakuk, Paul Heinerth, Brett Gonzalez and Tom Iliffe, all using sidemount system, swim in a Big Room of Deep Blue Cave, Walsingham System.

June 14 Log
Brian Kakuk, Paul Heinerth, Brett Gonzalez and Tom Iliffe swim in a Big Room of Deep Blue Cave, Walsingham System.

Team following the line in Deep Blue Cave, Walsingham System.

June 14 Log
Team following the line in Deep Blue Cave, Walsingham System.

Bret Gonzalez and Gil Nolan surfacing from their dive using sidemount.

June 14 Log
Bret Gonzalez and Gil Nolan surfacing from their dive using sidemount.

Brian Kakuk navigating Green Bay Cave System.

June 13 Log
Brian Kakuk navigating Green Bay Cave System.

Tom Iliffe and Steve Blasco review targets and plan for taking geological samples at depth.

June 13 Log
Tom Iliffe and Steve Blasco review targets and plan for taking geological samples at depth.

Brian Kakuk, Brett Gonzalez, Paul Heinerth and Graham Maddox have a moment to laugh while they fill the trimix tanks that the rebreather team may use for their bailout.

June 13 Log
Brian Kakuk, Brett Gonzalez, Paul Heinerth and Graham Maddox have a moment to laugh while they fill trimix tanks.

Filling tanks and prepping rebreathers at Triangle Diving.

June 13 Log
Filling tanks and prepping rebreathers at Triangle Diving.

Grotto Bay, home of Triangle Dive Center, is a beautiful setting for dive prep.

June 13 Log
Grotto Bay, home of Triangle Dive Center, is a beautiful setting for dive prep.

 

 

 

Jill Heinerth with an HD camera in Amphibico housing preparing to dive during a BBC Shoot

June 11 Log
Graham Maddocks of Triangle Diving carries a heavy load!

 

 

 

Brian Kakuk making his way back to the boat after measuring the cave and collecting compass headings.

June 15 Log
Brian Kakuk making his way back to the boat after measuring the cave and collecting compass headings. (HR)

Brian sketching the natural bridge cave back at the cabin.

June 15 Log
Brian sketching the natural bridge cave back at the cabin. (HR)

Rough sketch of the natural bridge cave outline.

June 15 Log
Rough sketch of the natural bridge cave outline. (HR)

 

Jill Heinerth with an HD camera in Amphibico housing preparing to dive during a BBC Shoot

Underwater Imaging
Jill Heinerth with an HD camera in Amphibico housing preparing to dive during a BBC Shoot.

Jill's custom HDSLR rig as it will be used topside during the Bermuda project.

Underwater Imaging
Jill's custom HDSLR rig as it will be used topside during the Bermuda project. (HR)

Additional arsenal of strobes and UW lights.

Underwater Imaging
Additional arsenal of strobes and UW lights. (HR)

High resolution multibeam sonar image of a shipwreck on the continental shelf near Norfolk Canyon.

Underwater Imaging
High resolution multibeam sonar image of a shipwreck on the continental shelf near Norfolk Canyon. (HR)

Complete UW equipment that Jill Heinerth will use on this expedition.

Underwater Imaging
Complete UW equipment that Jill Heinerth will use on this expedition. (HR)

Jill posing with her UW gear prior to a dive.

Underwater Imaging
Jill posing with her UW gear prior to a dive. (HR)

 

 

Jill Heinerth snaps a self portrait using her rebreather.

Rebreathers
Jill Heinerth snaps a self portrait using her rebreather. (HR)

Two divers using traditional back mounted open circuit scuba equipment to explore a cave.

Rebreathers
Two divers using traditional back mounted open circuit scuba equipment to explore a cave. (HR)

Two divers using traditional back mounted open circuit scuba equipment to explore a cave.

Rebreathers
Two divers using traditional back mounted open circuit scuba equipment to explore a cave. (HR)

 

Clear, deep lake in Church Cave.

Biology
Clear, deep lake in Church Cave.

The mictacean Mictocaris halope, shown here as viewed through the scanning electron microscope.

Biology
The mictacean Mictocaris halope, shown here as viewed through the scanning electron microscope. (HR)

Cave copepods have lost their eyes and color.

Biology
Cave copepods have lost their eyes and color.

The ostracod Spelaeoecia occurs in caves in Bermuda, the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Yucatan.

Biology
The ostracod Spelaeoecia occurs in caves in Bermuda, the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Yucatan.

The mysid Bermudamysis is the sole member of this genus. It is found on the surface of silty sediments in several Bermuda caves.

Biology
The mysid Bermudamysis is the sole member of this genus. It is found on the surface of silty sediments in Bermuda caves.

The isopod Atlantasellus is the sole genus in a family first discovered from Bermuda.

Biology
The isopod Atlantasellus is the sole genus in a family first discovered from Bermuda.

The amphipod Pseudoniphargus from Bermuda caves is eyeless and depigmented.

Biology
The amphipod Pseudoniphargus from Bermuda caves is eyeless and depigmented.

The shrimp Bermudacaris has relatives from the waters off Western Australia and Viet Nam as well as caves in Mallorca.

Biology
The shrimp Bermudacaris has relatives from the waters off Western Australia and Viet Nam as well as caves in Mallorca.

Rusting oil drum, some still with black residue inside, dumped in Bitumen Cave in Bermuda.

Biology
Rusting oil drum, some still with black residue inside, dumped in Bitumen Cave in Bermuda. (HR)

Limestone quarry in Bermuda with remnant cave in center of cliff in the process of being destroyed.

Biology
Limestone quarry in Bermuda with remnant cave in center of cliff in the process of being destroyed.

Piles of copper coins from a wishing well pool in a Bermuda cave.

Biology
Piles of copper coins from a wishing well pool in a Bermuda cave.

 

Profile view of Admiral’s Cave show large, collapse chambers and sea level pools characteristic of dry caves in Bermuda.

Geology
Profile view of Admiral’s Cave show large, collapse chambers and sea level pools characteristic of dry caves in Bermuda. (HR)

Possible flooded stream passage cave at 18 m depth in the North Shore Passage of Green Bay Cave.

Geology
Possible flooded stream passage cave at 18 m depth in the North Shore Passage of Green Bay Cave. (HR)

Twin stalagmites in the North Shore Passage of Green Bay Cave.

Geology
Twin stalagmites in the North Shore Passage of Green Bay Cave. (HR)

Wall rock in Green Bay Cave shows lighter colors at the ceiling and upper sections, contrasting with a dark brown iron or manganese stain below.

Geology
Wall rock in Green Bay Cave shows lighter colors at the ceiling and upper sections, contrasting with a dark brown iron or manganese stain below. (HR)

Funnel-shaped depression in the sand floor of Tucker’s Town Cave, suggesting the presence of a lower level.

Geology
Funnel-shaped depression in the sand floor of Tucker’s Town Cave, suggesting the presence of a lower level. (HR)

 

 

 

Dr. Tom Iliffe in Deep Blue Cave.

Caves
Dr. Tom Iliffe in Deep Blue Cave. (HR)

Side mount diver swimming.

Caves
Side mount diver swimming. (HR)

Jill Heinerth drives Dr. Bill Stone's Digital Wall Mapper during explorations of Wakulla Springs.

Caves
Jill Heinerth drives Dr. Bill Stone's Digital Wall Mapper during explorations of Wakulla Springs. (HR)

Rebreather diver surveying a cave.

Caves
Rebreather diver surveying a cave. (HR)

Multibeam bathymetric image of the King George shipwreck in Bermuda

Mission Plan
Multibeam bathymetric image of the King George shipwreck in Bermuda. (HR)

Multibeam map of the shelf edge of the Bermuda Platform and Challenger Bank overlaid on top of the nautical chart of the island.

Mission Plan
Multibeam map of the shelf edge of the Bermuda Platform and Challenger Bank overlaid on top of the nautical chart of the island. (HR)

Challenger Bank as seen in CARIS subset mode showing point cloud data in 3D mode, profile and plan views.

Mission Plan
Challenger Bank as seen in CARIS subset mode showing point cloud data in 3D mode, profile and plan views. (HR)

Multibeam bathymetry data gridded at 2m cell size of a submarine landslide escarpment discovered on the eastern edge of the Challenger Bank

Mission Plan
Multibeam bathymetry data of a submarine landslide escarpment discovered on the eastern edge of the Challenger Bank. (HR)

Multibeam bathymetry data from the natural bridge (POI 67) located on the outer terrace at 64 m depth near North Rock

Mission Plan
Multibeam bathymetry data from the natural bridge (POI 67) located on the outer terrace at 64 m depth near North Rock. (HR)

 

 

 

A diver entering a pitch black cave is silhouetted by sunlight filtering through the depths above.

Mission Intro
A diver entering a pitch black cave is silhouetted by sunlight filtering through the depths above. (HR)

 
 

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