We have all been thrilled by repeat visits by whales, with one pair
of humpback whales that have been visiting nearly everyday at Site 1096. They
seem to be quite curious about what we are doing, often poking their heads out
of the water near the ship to view us.
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The drilling crew (roughnecks and a derrickman) playing in snow during one
of several mild snow falls we have had during Leg 178. The roughnecks are John
Vito (back row), Thor Pepito (front row, left side), and JoJo Magtanong (front,
middle). The derrickman is Bobby Cortez (front, right).
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The roller cone bit of the Extended Core Barrel (XCB; for more
information see the web page at
http://www-odp.tamu.edu/dsd/TOOLS/XCB.HTM) is
being cleaned. Nozzles on it became clogged with clay and small dropstones
(glacial debris) during coring at Hole 1096B, which reduced core recovery and
eventually forced us to clean the bit and proceed to a new hole.
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Welders repairing cracks in the lower section of the Lower
Guidehorn in Punta Arenas. The lower section of the guidehorn was damaged during
Leg 177 and part of it was lost at sea. The section shown will be reinstalled in
Cape Town. A similar piece is being constructed on shore to replace the piece
lost. |