For those who don't remember, the drilling derrick makes this ship just a little too tall to fit under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From the top, the view was spectacular. I spent much of the day shooting television footage for Quantum , the long-running ABC TV science program. They are preparing a short feature story on tsunamis, and another on deep sea ocean mining, and the program producers are keen to tap into this rare collection of ocean experts assembled aboard the ship. However, any opportunity for academic awe is quickly tempered by the realities of shared life on board.
Academic idolatry withers quickly under such unforgiving conditions.
Everyone had bags under their eyes from sleepless nights in front of their computers. It was all hard-won, interesting and valuable data, but I suspect everyone had had enough by the time the meeting finished two long hours later. Excitement and the thrill of discovery might inspire this research, but finishing it seems pure doggedness and determination.