Anchor Recovery Attempt

Credit: Mark Hanson ©WHOI

Credit: Laura Slicer © WHOI

Credit: Laura Slicer © WHOI

Credit: Laura Slicer © WHOI

Before heading back to Woods Hole to unload and remobilize for leg two, the Pioneer Team aboard the R/V Neil Armstrong had a final mission—to recover an anchor from the bottom.  This required the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to locate the anchor and attach a line so it could be brought to the surface. Jennifer Batryn (foreground) and Chris Basque controlled the movements of the ROV, which was lowered into the water by a winch on the back deck.  The ROV hooked the anchor (lower right of top right screen) so it could be brought onboard. The anchor was hooked twice, but let go so the another attempt to recover the anchor will take place during leg two.