|
National Geographic
Society is the primary corporate sponsor of the
expedition. Enormous thanks to Rebecca Martin,
Peter Miller, Kevin Krug, James Vlahos, Ford
Cochran, Larry Maurer, and Barbara Moffett. NGS is
producing a film documentary and magazine article
on the expedtion.
|
|
GM Ovonics are working
closely with the project in monitoring and
supporting the Fatman scooters. The Fatman SDPV's
(Super Diver Propulsion Vehicles) are powered by GM
Ovonic's nickel metal hydride cells. Each scooter
uses two 13.6 volt, 88 AH batteries giving the
FatMan a 5 hour burn time at full speed. Many
thanks to Vince Hellman and Steve Schnell. It took
us a while to get it right, but man do these
vehicles cook!
|
|
The PTC (personnel
transfer capsule) is operated by dual
Ingersoll-Rand 825 portable compressors which drive
two Ingersoll-Rand MR5 10-ton man-rated winches.
Special thanks to Pete Baldwin, Dick Johnson, Scott
Noyes, and Ken Silverman. Magnificent pieces of
machinery guys, and its great to have you onboard
again at Wakulla.
|
|
Deepwater decompression
and PTC ingress is now monitored through the use of
Marks Products closed circuit underwater video
equipment. This allows our support divers to
minimize inwater decompression while recovering
equipment from each dive. Lots of thanks to Frank
Marks -- very cool gear.
|
|
Surface to diver
communications is made possible with Divecomm
underwater communication equipment. The support
divers use the AGA full face mask version while the
mapping crews are using the "duck bill" portable
unit to signal their return. The 200 watt
hydrophone underwater listen and broadcast system
and diver recall unit is awesome...particularly
playing Led Zepplin during
decompression.
|
|
|
All extended diving
operations are being conducted using Cis-Lunar
equipment. The MK-5 rebreather and Fatman scooters
provide the primary deep diving system. The
Cis-Lunar 3D Digital Wall Mapper (DWM) is the core
scientific instrument for the project. Many thanks
to Richard Nordstrom and Louise Howard for the
great gear and for the rapid responses to gear
needs on site here at Wakulla.
|
|
|
All diving gases used in
the project are supplied by Air Products. Our
special thanks to Bubba O'Steen,
|
|
|
O.C. Lugo Co., Inc.
supplied the essential Sofnolime used for scrubbing
carbon dioxide from the rebreather systems. Lots of
thanks to Rick Lugo and Dan Michio for backing the
largest scientific use of rebreathers in
history.
|
|
|
The PTC (personnel
transfer capsule) Launch Frame was built by Sippel
Co., Inc. of Ambridge, PA. The launch frame is
mounted on three micro-barges allowing the bell to
be lifted from the water and then locked directly
to the recompression chamber. Special thanks to
Dave and John Sippel for the custom fabrication
work -- both this time and for the the original
1987 habitat. You guys are going places.
|
|
Deep Breathing Systems,
Inc
|
Deep Breathing Systems
provided the necessary seed funds to allow the 1998
Wakulla 2 project to evolve. Everlasting thanks to
Jim King for the support over the long haul.
|
|
|
Research Systems produces
IDL (Interactive Data Language) and ENVI
(Environment for Visualizing Images). We will be
using this software to generate a 3D topographic
map of the earth's surface in the vicinity of
Wakulla Springs park. This will subsequently be
tied into the underground cave map so that
surficial and man-made features will be able to be
viewed together. Many thanks to Dr. Dave Uhlir and
the great team at RSI.
|
|
|
The precision 3D map of
Wakulla Springs would not be possible without the
ability to accurately determine the surface
coordinates of the in-cave radio location points.
Trimble provided a top-of-the line System 4800 RTK
unit, accurate to 1 cm, for use in establishing
these control points. Many thanks to Catherine
Mansfield, Steve Briggs, and Steve Kersey for
making this possible. Brian Pease is still in hog
heaven every day he uses this gear.
|
Teledyne
Analytical Instruments
|
The MK5-P and dual MK5-R
rebreathers used on all explorations into Wakulla
Spring make use of Teledyne R17 sensors for
monitoring and control of oxygen partial pressure.
Dennis Antieau, from the City of Industry plant,
has been a steadfast supporter of the USDCT since
1987. Thanks a lot man, we've really appreciated
the relationship and the rock-steady sensors your
good folks manufacture.
|
Australia
|
Poseidon regulators are
being used within the Cis-Lunar rebreathers,
offboard cylinders carried by the divers and open
circuit stage cylinders distributed throughout the
cave. Poseidon also supported select individuals
with personal dive equipment.
|
|
|
RASS provided a generous
financial contribution to the project. Our deepest
appreciation to Alex Sproul and all the good cavers
in Richmond for your continued support of the U.S.
Deep Caving Team.
|
|
Dive Rite
|
Dive Rite's workshops were
utilized for the assembly of the Thinman scooters.
Dive Rite has also supported select individuals
with personal dive equipment. Many thanks to Lamar
Hires for his continued support.
|
|
3M
|
3M reflective tape is
being used for the navigation marker bouys. The 3M
Diamond Grade retroreflective tape allows mapping
beacons to be readily located in the
cave.
|
|
Butler Cave Conservation
Society
|
The BCCS provided a
financial contribution to the project. This money
was used to purchase the main guide
line.
|
|
Wards Sink
|
Wards Sink was used for
deep water training for MK5 rebreather
divers.
|
|
Rack-It
(Clearwater)
|
Rack-It manufactured the
backplates and cylinder mounting units for the Cis-
Lunar rebreathers.
|
|
True North Printer
Plastics
|
True North Printer
Plastics supplied the project decals.
|
|
Suunto
|
Select individuals were
supported with Suunto personal dive
equipment.
|
|
Polar
|
Select individuals were
supported with submersible heart rate monitoring
equipment.
|
|
Scuba West,
Inc.
|
Hudson Grotto was used as
one of the primary training sites for the
rebreather divers. The site offered the advantages
of training platforms and mild depths needed whilst
divers gained proficiency in the units.
|
|
Caribbean Marine Research
Center
|
CMRC supported select
individuals allowing them to be present for the
project.
|
|
Mayatech
|
Mayatech supported select
individuals allowing them to be present for the
project.
|
|
NiteRider
|
NiteRider produces lights
for diving, and other sports.
|
|
Skai Computing
|
Skai supported select
individuals with personal computing
equipment.
|
