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Calling Alvin

Raul Martinez and Allison Heater (both standing) finish preparing Alvin for a dive during the sub’s Science Verification Cruise in March 2014. Martinez and Heater are crewmembers of R/V Atlantis and are also trained to act as support swimmers who help deploy and recover the submersible by making sure the subs external systems are properly configured and to connect or disconnect the ship’s massive lift line. While on the surface, the only way for the swimmers to communicate with the pilot inside the personnel sphere is via the sound-powered phone in Martinez’s hand.(Photo by Peter T. Leonard, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)