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Bringing it Back

After a dive off the coast of California, Alvin pilot Mike Skowronski throws a sea anchor to Patrick Neumann while Allison Heater stands by to help bring the submersible back to the research vessel Atlantis. The anchor prevents the 23-foot Alvin from surging into Atlantis while the sub is hooked to the ship’s lift lines. These men and women are a part of a larger team of Atlantis and Alvin personnel who assist with each launch and recovery of the submersible, now back in the water following a three-year major upgrade and overhaul. Alvin made 14 certification dives in November, and was cleared by the U.S. Navy to return to service for science this spring.(Photo by Rod Catanach, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)