Some of us had a peaceful night sleep while others were hard at work especially with the multi-beam mapping shift from midnight to 4:00 in the morning. There was a major computer glitch during the multi-beam mapping, when one of the files became too heavy and froze, but Renato Tonielli saved the day : he managed to re-configure the program and get it up and running once again. That was the good news, the bad news is that another gale force storm is heading our way. It is expected to hit later this afternoon, and we can already see rain clouds in the distance.

Problems with the box corer were fixed with the help of the ships chief engineer, Pietro, who was able to rebuild the cable and pulley. The box corer just went overboard and now we are waiting for the results, keeping our fingers crossed. We are also sending down the ‘grab’, as back up to the box corer. The CTD will be cast at some time late this evening or early tomorrow morning. Then for the rest of the cruise the team will focus on multi-beam, and CHIRP mapping. We are currently around the E7 location and the gravity corer was sent to the 2,450 meter level. It gave us almost 5 meters of sample material and was a completely different texture than samples of the other day. Launching the gravity corer

Chief Engineer Pietro Ciano, Gian Marco Luna with the empty box corer

I had a chance to catch up with our expedition leader Francesca Budillion, and here is what she had to say:

Q. What is the planning for this research cruise ?

FB: Our priority is to map this sector of the Tyrrhenian Sea, that is a key area for the evolution of the western Mediterranean Sea. So we would like to complete some sectors that are not well known, and not covered recently by other surveys. We will then use our data to link with other surveys that have been carried out in the past.

Q. What are your responsibilities on SUB 2 Leg 1?

FB: My responsibility is to ensure that the equipment is working and that each group is getting their data. There are different requirements from each group so it is my job to make sure that they are getting what they need.

Q. What is the most challenging thing you must do?

FB: To me the most challenging is thing is to decide at the moment what we must do, for example if we have two hours time, then I must determine exactly what everyone should be doing for those two hours. However I am not always sure about my decision, so perhaps this is the most difficult part for me, but somehow I always manage.

Q What advice would you give to other scientists, who will become expedition leaders?

FB: I think the atmosphere on board is the most important for the quality of the work. Scientists need to feel that their particular work is important. They need to feel recognised..

Q. What results are you hoping to get?

FB: Initially my target was to cover at least two sectors that we planned. Unfortunately, we will not be able to do it because of the weather conditions. We have to consider that our plans must revolve around the weather and that it is far more difficult to work during the winter months.

Q. Anything else you would like to say?

FB: I am very happy to be here, because it is the first time that I lead a cruise in the deep part of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a good opportunity to learn many, many things and to join other research groups. I think multi-disciplinary cruises are an excellent way to meet other researchers and to share information and new ideas, this is very important to me.

Well that is all for now, I am Siri Campbell reporting from the R/V Urania.