The MONITOR project was completed on June 25. As previously stated, Phase I operations consisted of Navy/NOAA dives from the M/V Kellie Chouest and Phase II operations consisted of NOAA, NURC and Cambrian Foundation divers working from NOAAS FERREL and R/V CAPE FEAR.

During Phase I, The Navy dive team used mixed gas surfaced supplied equipment, while the NOAA divers used technical diving equipment with a trimix breathing medium. Weather and dive conditions were optimal which allowed the U.S. Navy to set new diving records by completing 110 man-dives on the MONITOR. The Navy team recovered twenty artifacts and/or samples, including the Monitor's propeller and shaft. The NOAA divers recorded the Navy operations and began initial site surveys.

During Phase II, weather and conditions were again excellent. The combined NOAA , NURC and Cambrian Foundation dive team accumulated more bottom time on MONITOR than on all previous NOAA sponsored expeditions. A total of 142 man-dives (60 hrs of bottom time) were completed which resulted in an impressive amount of data and artifacts. All major objectives were met and all dives were conducted safely. One NOAA diver experienced type II decompression sickness during Phase I and was successfully treated by Navy personnel on the M/V Kellie Chouest.

SCUBA/SCBA compressor air test kits will be sent to units in early July. Please complete the test and return the kit to TRI as soon as possible. Delays in completing the test and returning the kits incur additional costs. Please contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695 if you can not complete your test promptly.

The next Working Diver class is scheduled for September of 1998. Please contact NDC if you have any candidates for this training. Individuals who are returning to active diving status and have not dove for more than six months, must attend a refresher class. If you would like a refresher class in your area, contact NDC for avalibility. The following training classes are scheduled through January 1999:

If you are interested in any of the above listed training, contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695.
 

The roster lists regulator overhaul dates for the divers in your unit. Regulators are shipped to the UDS prior to this date, unless a diver's physical is out of date or diving activity has lapsed for more than six months. It is imperative that you distribute the replacement regulators and return used units to NDC as soon as possible.

Please contact Steve Urick or Chris Cote for SEP equipment request and/or questions. They have returned from the field and have resumed these duties.