We’re Here!
Morale is high and a frenzy of activity ensues as everyone prepares for the mission ahead…
FRIDAY, 02.06.09
0732: From Bill Baxley
I called the agent and they said you had already been there to sign some paperwork and it was all set. I also finally got through to the boat and spoke to Steve Dabagian and then Andy Sherrell, and they said you were out at the agent.
I’m glad everything worked out; it was just really frustrating to call the boat and get an answering machine message. Have fun tonight, and good luck with everything. Call if you need something and again, I will try and call you back.
This view from the back of the ship shows part of the main street running through Pago Pago. One of our agents on the island has an office located in the lower right hand corner.
THE TEAM ARRIVES IN AMERICAN SAMOA
2010: All On Pace
The team has all arrived in Samoa, no missing luggage and no other travel-related difficulties. The ship is rafted up on the main dock in town between fishing boats, all good. We also have a cruise ship in town so there’s a lot of activity around the port area. Lee Frey and I just met with the section heads and discussed non-disclosure agreements (NDA’s) and film releases.
We have an ‘all hands’ meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning to get those signed off. We are also re-assembling the hydraulics and getting the vehicles readied for trials. I discussed getting the ship out of town a day early with Lee, but this will not be possible since we have a major food shipment arriving Monday morning.
There is one important shipment missing that we are tracking. No need to panic yet, but they are mission critical items - the sonar junction bottles. We have multiple queries in and plan to follow up tomorrow morning (no answers from anyone on the East Coast this late). BlackBerry® phone isn’t working at all, not even onboard ship, and this is being looked into. I will be here for 20 minutes after sending this, and then I have a meeting with the lead archeologist on the island.
Ted (Waitt), the information you sent today is being looked at by Andy and Greg Packard for recommendations. We will get you some responses first thing tomorrow.
In general, morale is high and everyone is glad to see each other again, but there is a frenzy of activity going on. Lots to do. We plan to have a dinner party tomorrow night to give everyone a chance to get caught up. We’re putting finishing touches on security issues, lockout and other team-related stuff that Lee and I are going to discuss tomorrow at the ‘all hands’ meeting. A good day and still going strong.
This is the opposite view from Pago Pago, looking out to where the Seward Johnson is tied up to the main pier.
