***** Vol.1 Chap.12 Getting ready *****
After the captain announced the course change and the impending search and rescue operation, the pace of all activities on board the Mayflower stepped up a few notches. The officers scrambled everywhere, trying to get ready for any eventualities for the search and rescue operation. The sonar team checked their equipment, getting them ready for operation. The divers’ team hurried to fill all the oxygen tanks necessary for diving. There was no way to tell how much oxygen they would need. So, they just filled all available oxygen tanks. That took some time. After that, they made sure that all the diving suits were in good working order.
Kristin also busied herself, although grudgingly, checking the operation of the sub. As the maiden voyage of her sub, she paid extra care in testing every system and every subsystem to make sure that there would not be any problems. Most importantly, she made sure that all the batteries were fully charged, all the oxygen tanks filled, and the ballast tanks full.
“Hello, this is Kristin from Jennifer. Do you read me?”
“Hello, Kristin. This is Jim from the control room. We read you loud and clear.”
“Jim, are you able to see any video pictures?”
“Yes, we see part of a lifeboat. There is nothing more to look at.”
“Thanks, Jim. Let me see if I can rotate the camera for something more interesting.”
“Hold it, what is that? Looks like the captain is inspecting things on the deck.”
“OK, Jim, let’s check the other channel. Channel B right now.”
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“Got channel B right here. I am looking at nothing but water. That must be the aft camera.”
“You got it, Jim.”
“Okay, let’s check the audio channels. I am just going to sing Disney’s song ‘It’s a Small World After All’ as I switch from channel one to channel five. Try to follow me.”
“I’ll try.”
Kristin started singing her favorite Disney song and switched from one channel to another. When she got back to channel one, Jim yelled at her.
“Start singing, Kristin. I don’t have all day to wait!”
“I have been singing, Jim. Didn’t you get anything from the other channels?”
“Nope.”
“OK, on my mark, I will switch to channel two for five seconds and then back to channel one.”
“Okay.”
“Five, four, three, two, one, Mark.” Kristin switched to channel two. “Kristin calling Jim.” She repeated five times and switched back to channel one.
“Kristin, nothing at all on channel two.”
“Well, it is too late to take apart the hardware now. At least we have one audio channel for communication.”
“If the audio fails, we can use sign language using the video channels,” said Jim.
“That would be one way only, though. You can see what I am saying, but I will not hear you. Haha, I will not have to obey your commands.”
“Hmm, that is true.”
“I won’t need to, ha ha.”
Just then, the PA system blared over the entire ship. “All hands get ready. This is Captain Jonas speaking. We have arrived at the designated location and will begin the search momentarily. Sonar team, begin search operation. Kristin, make sure the little boat is ready for launch at a moment’s notice.”
A rush of activities ensued on deck. Kristin, just getting out of the sub when the announcement came, saw the sonar team rushing upstairs, heading for the control room. Though not part of the sonar team, she headed that way to join them. It would be helpful for her to get a good mental image of the ocean and its surroundings before the dive.
As she headed that way, she bumped into Chandras. “All set, Kristin?” He asked.
“As much as I can be, Chandras.”
“Wish I can be there for the ride. Do you need a helper?”
“Thanks. I would appreciate the company as well. Unfortunately, the sub holds only one person to keep the sub small and maneuverable.”
“I understand, but I still wish I can come with. Anyway, I will watch you on the monitors in the control room.”
“Thanks, and pray that there will be no problems.”
“It will be a smooth ride for you.”
She nodded in acknowledgment, waved goodbye, and hurried toward the control room.