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Ready for Recovery

A camera strategically perched on top of the research vessel Atlantis’s A-frame, captures the submersible Alvin as it is recovered from a dive in April 2010. A swimmer (bottom, right) attaches the large main lift line so that Alvin can be hoisted onto Atlantis. Other lines attached to submersible for recovery include an underwater tow line that pulls the sub towards the ship, two yellow lines off the front of Alvin that keep it from coasting into the ship, and a smaller vertical line attached to the tail line that helps stabilize the sub as it is hoisted up.(Photo by Mark Spear, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)