Participant Perspective - July 16, 2001

Interview with Kim Wallace
ROPOS Electronic Technician

Jeff: Why is ROPOS such a good tool to explore the ocean floor?

Kim: ROPOS is unique because it's designed so that the vehicle is configurable to fit the science. Whatever the scientists bring, we'll make it work on the vehicle. We don't spend a lot of time telling scientists, "you can't do this, you can't do that." Also, as a group, the ROPOS team is willing to go the distance to make our vehicle fit the scientists tools, rather than ask them to conform to some standard or template that we've got in place. We make our vehicle fit the science.

Jeff: Do you ever get nervous while flying ROPOS through the water?

Kim: The thing that makes me most nervous is "walking the dog." When it's rough we take the vehicle out of the cage near the surface and then fly the vehicle down to the bottom along side of the cage. That puts less stress on our big umbilical cord because the inertia of the vehicle is out in the water column. So, you're flying the vehicle down in company with a cage that weighs about 12,000 pounds. It's plunging up and down through the water column a few meters away from ROPOS on the end of the tether. It's like taking a wrecking ball for a walk on a short leash. Compared to this, flying for science around the vents on the bottom is no problem.

Jeff: What's the most exciting thing you've seen while flying the vehicle?

Kim: The most exciting thing was the first time I saw Godzilla, a sulfide structure on the Endeavor Ridge. During a vertical video transect I was amazed because you just go up and up and up and up. It never ends. It's about 90 feet high. That was fairly impressive. Also, the first time we saw Mothra on the Endeavor Ridge it was impressive. It was a row of fairly large chimney structures. It looked like an industrial nightmare. They were belching black smoke out the top. It was eerie.

Jeff: What do you enjoy most about flying ROPOS on the ocean floor?

Kim: This is a pretty remarkable job. I'm consistently amazed because every time I go out I see things I've never seen before. Usually, I see things nobody's ever seen before. There are not many jobs where you can say that. I also enjoy working with a cross section of the best and brightest in terms of the scientists and technicians that are out here. It's a privilege. The ROPOS crew is like another family. I don't enjoy being away from home but I love doing the job.