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Historic Expeditions    Secrets of the Gulf Expedition

SECRETS OF THE GULF EXPEDITION, MARCH 2007--ARGUS

Argus is the name of the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) used to explore the Gulf of Mexico during the Secrets of the Gulf expedition. Unlike many ROVs that are self-propelled, Argus is towed behind a surface vessel (in this case, the Carolyn Chouest). Small thrusters provide some additional maneuverability from side to side or up and down in the water column.

Argus can be equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors according to the needs of the expedition in which it is employed. For the Secrets of the Gulf expedition, Argus carried 5 cameras, a sub-bottom profiler and a multi-beam sonar system. The sub-bottom profiler used sound waves to create a picture of the geological structure beneath the sea floor, while the multi-beam sonar used sound waves to give us detailed information about the contours of the sea floor itself.

Perhaps the most valuable piece of equipment from the sanctuary's perspective was the hi-definition video camera which captured 38 hours of high-quality deepwater habitat footage. This will aid in our habitat characterization efforts in the sanctuary and its surroundings.

Additional expedition images can be viewed at the following links:

Click on a picture below to see a larger, hi-resolution image. All unlabeled images should be credited to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). All other images on this page should be credited to Sea Research Foundation (SRF) and the Ocean Exploration Trust (OET).

G.P. Schmahl standing next to Argus on the deck of the Carolyn Chouest
Sanctuary Superintendent G.P. Schmahl standing next to Argus on the deck of the Carolyn Chouest in Galveston.
Getting Argus prepared for launch
Getting Argus ready for launch in the Gulf of Mexico.
Argus being prepared for launch by crew
Argus being prepared for launch by crew.
Deck crane getting ready to hoist Argus
Deck crane getting ready to hoist Argus for launch. (SRF/OET)
Crane hoisting Argus as viewed from upper deck of Carolyn Chouest
Crane hoisting Argus.
Attaching the cable to Argus
Attaching the cable to Argus for another launch. (SRF/OET)
Crane pulling the cable to Argus taut
Crane pulling the cable taut. (SRF/OET)
Lifting Argus off the deck
Beginning to lift Argus off the deck. (SRF/OET)
Lifting Argus off the deck
Lifting Argus a even farther off deck. (SRF/OET)
Crane cable leading to Argus below water
Cable leading to Argus below water. (SRF/OET)
Transfer boat motoring over to submarine
Argus on deck at sunset. (SRF/OET)




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Juvenile blue tang (fish).  Bright yellow body with irridescent blue marking around eye and at top edge of dorsal fin.
   
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