This project was a collaboration with Dr. John Sparks (Curator of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History) and Dr. David Gruber (Presidential Professor, CUNY/Baruch College) to continue underwater exploration efforts in the Solomon Islands. With a total scientific team of 7 and crew of 5, we chartered a local tugboat the AR FORD provided by Silentworld Logistics for a 10-day expedition from Honiara to the Western Province (Russell Islands, Mborokua, Matakai Reef, and Peava/Marovo region). We were also supported by local guide and operator of the Wilderness Lodge, Corey Howell. URIL team members were Brennan, Rendhy and Nick. The URIL provided extensive deep-sea support including operating David’s ROV “Deep Reef”, our 3000m-rated fiber optic AHC winch system, a deep-sea baited drop camera (BRUV), low-light cameras, sampling systems, and various other modes of oceanographic weaponry. Below is a video overview and selected topside stills. Stay tuned for publications etc. in the coming years!
URIL team Rendhy Moreno Sapiie, Nick Chaloux and Brennan Phillips
Breakfast, with a side of lithium batteries
Night dive
Custom drop-winch payload including EK80 fisheries echosounder, ME20F low-light camera, dimmable lights and onboard power/comms.
A presentation of our work in Peava Village
Fantail of the tug AR FORD, offshore near Kavachi submarine volcano.
Processing fish samples based on fluorescent properties
Launching ROV Deep Reef at Mborokua Island. Image credit: John Sparks
Nick and Rendhy prepare the ROV’s suction sampler for a dive. Image credit: John Sparks
Image credit: John Sparks
Local guide Corey Howell’s boat “Triton” hovering directly over Kavachi volcano’s submarine plume
Team shot- thank you everyone for an amazing adventure!
Image credit: John Sparks
