From the Captain Garry McKechnie 10/03/06

Next morning we start early and are diving on the site at Gannet Cay by 0800. (see scientist's diary's for more detail). Our young trainees are becoming more confident in the water and are now diving in the more difficult conditions of the offshore reefs. After completing our surveys at Gannet cay we steam to Chinamans Reef where we complete our second survey for the day. The wind is gradually rising and the work now requires Pelican to hold position on the weather side of the reefs and drop the divers close in. We have decided not to anchor in these circumstances for two reasons. First for safety we need to be able to move to the assistance of any of the divers if required without pausing to raise anchor and secondly anchoring in these locations would inevitably cause damage to the reef as there are few clear patches of sandy bottom.

By early afternoon we have completed the survey and drop anchor in the lee of Chinaman's Reef in about 23 metres. The anchorage is not ideal and less sheltered than we would like but the remote sensing team need to carry out some detailed surveys from the inflatable. Commuting from Horseshoe Reef about 5 miles southwest, which provides a better anchorage, is made difficult by the distances involved so I decide to stay overnight at Chinaman's. Marina takes the opportunity to make another training dive with Frank, Peda, Matthew and Ewan in the lagoon of Chinaman's Reef. Although Pelican can't enter due to her draught Ini takes Marina and the boys in one of the inflatables while I take Paul, Chris and Johnston to sites they have selected on neighbouring reefs to collect data for the remote sensing project.

Both teams return shortly before nightfall and we settle in for another night at anchor. We set a continuous anchor watch and most of the team help out with this. If we dragged our anchor in the rising wind we would find ourselves on the leeward reef within minutes. It has been another long but rewarding day.