Weather is often one of the biggest obstacles to getting our work done. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 10.0 MB).
Weather is often one of the biggest obstacles to getting our work done. Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 10.0 MB).
Today was a good reminder that we are at the mercy of the weather. At 0700, the seas were calm and all indications were that the dive would proceed as planned. Just over an hour later, thunder and lightning forced the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Commanding Officer and the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Team Lead to delay launch. The weather forecast indicated it would just be a passing storm. Unfortunately, it wasn't. Heavy rains and wind picked up quickly. The seas deteriorated. Thunder and lightning continued for several hours. By 1200, we scrubbed the entire dive and switching into mapping operations. Let's hope things improve overnight.
