The Guys from the Deep

In the twilight zones of the oceans there are living creatures that could have originated in fantasy movies.

A world-wide inventory of the deep oceans shall give new information about the biodiversity, abundance and importance of these animals

At N 11° 41.21 W 20° 25.13 the “Polarstern” reached its destination. A location in the Atlantic Ocean 250 nm south-east of the Cape Verdean Island. Calm sea, no coast can be seen.

The altimeter shows this is the right position. 4883 m under the ship’s hull the sea floor falls to even greater depths. Here, far from the African Continental Shelf biologist Peter Wiebe will start his hauls.

He is nervous. Hectically, he goes around the heavy metal frame which lies on board at the rear end like a fallen door frame. Wiebe checks if all instruments are adjusted and the 16 m net is not entangled. Then he gives a wink to the boatswain standing at the winch: Ready! MOCNESS, the scientists’ special net can go down.