We launched the last APEX float at this station. It was the first float launched by my watch on this cruise. APEX floats measure pressure, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen as they profile. Otherwise they work just like ARGO floats. Before launching the float we turned it on by holding a strong magnet along the hull for a few seconds. This tells the float to begin its preprogrammed mission. Just so we know that it's working, it cycles the transmitter and the bladder piston. As we pulled away from the station at about two knots Dan and I lowered into the water with the cord on the table.
Parisa did the bottom approach for this cast. I stood over one shoulder. Mary and Kristen watched the altimeter on a different computer. Scott came out into the lab with a confused look to see what was going on when he heard her voice on the squawkbox. No problem, even with all that extra attention.
After the cast, Adam mentioned that the Brazilian Volvo Trophy sailboat sailed within seventeen miles of us while we were on station. He figured that all of the other sailboats were within one hundred miles. They were headed towards Cape Horn, and probably going about twenty five knots (twice as fast as us).
