** R/V NATHANIEL B. PALMER **

The vessel arrived in the Port of Lyttelton, New Zealand on September
23, 1996 having completed the Site Survey Cruise. The Chief Scientist
was Dr. Robert Anderson, LDEO. As was reported in the last newsletter,
the 9/16th wire that became entangled in the shaft during a BONGO Net
tow was removed successfully by divers in Lyttelton. There was no
damage to the prop, shaft, or hull.

The port period from September 23rd. to October was very busy with the
change out from a MultiBeam Survey Cruise to a Biological Process
Cruise. The Mooring Cruise Cargo (Nov 13-30) was also loaded at this
time as only passengers will be transferred at the end of Process I at
the ice edge near McMurdo Station.

The Closed Loop Incubator System with 25 incubators of various sizes
was installed up on the Helo Deck. A large plywood table was built to
bring all the incubators up to the same height off the deck. The
complete system with pumps, storage tank, piping, heaters and
temperature controllers were lined up and ready to go on the day of
sailing. From reports received thus far this system is working well.
 
The new .322 EM Cable, 10,000 meters, was spooled onto the Baltic Room
CTD Winch. Test casts were completed at sea and all went well.

The vessel sailed on October enroute to the Ross Sea. The Chief
Scientist is Dr. Walker O. Smith.

On Sunday Oct. 6, the vessel encountered extreme weather, ("worst
weather ever seen in the Southern Ocean") and green water was shipped
over the starboard rail. This caused the Open Top container and ASA's
spare winch to break free. The Benthos floats, approx. 360, stored in
the Open Top Container have not been damaged. The Moss Landing Trace
Metal Van was severely damaged by the Open Top Container. Efforts are
under way to salvage what they can so that the Moss Landing group can
continue to work. Preparations are underway to ship a MLML replacement
van to New Zealand for Process II. "Cafe Thorium", WHOI, was also
"bruised" however they are able to continue their work. The mooring
anchors remained secured as well as cargo in the hold, on the Helo
deck, and in the labs.  There were no injuries to personnel reported
from these heavy seas.

The ship's position on Oct 9th. at 1200 GMT is Lat. 64-48 S. Long.
172-25 W.. Temp. -0.7 C., Wind is 24 kn out of the NNW, vessel is in
the ice with 10/10ths ice cover.

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****IMPORTANT**** The following message provides shipping details
for Process II.

JGOFS Process II. cruise (NBP97-1, January 10):

ASA would like to remind all science members participating in the
upcoming JGOFS Process II. cruise aboard the RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer
of the cargo cut-off date for your materials to arrive in Port Hueneme
to make the ships' departure from McMurdo on January 10, 1997.  In
order for your material to be available for the cruise, your materials
must arrive in Port Hueneme by November 26, 1996.

ASA is also requesting information regarding any oversized materials.
If you have any items which are being transported from your Institution
to the vessel which meet the below criteria, contact Jon Alberts by
phone or email immediately to provide details:

1)  Materials weighing in excess of 500 lbs.
2)  Materials having a height exceeding 6 feet.
3)  Materials exceeding 6 feet in length or width
4)  All of the above

Some items have been identified which meet one or more of the above
criteria.  Materials meeting the above criteria may be subject to
dimension and weight restrictions of LC-130 cargo aircraft.  In order
to accomodate materials in this category, it may be essential for your
materials to arrive in Port Hueneme at a much earlier date of October
21, 1996.

We request that you review your cargo requirements and update us on any
changes or oversize cargo.  Your assistance in these matters is greatly
appreciated.

Brien Borden
ASA Logistics Supervisor
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I will here in Denver until November 2nd. when I leave for McMurdo and
the R/V NBP. I will be sailing as Marine Project Coordinator for NBP
96-5, the JGOFS Mooring Deployment Cruise.

Again, thank you for your continued cooperation and efforts in
Antarctic Support Associates' support role in the Southern Ocean JGOFS
Project.

Sincerely,
Jon Alberts
*****************************************************************
*****     Jon Alberts, Science Cruise Coordinator           *****
*****     Antarctic Support Associates                      *****
*****     61 Inverness Drive East, Suite 300                *****
*****     Englewood, CO  80112                              *****
*****     email: albertjo.asa@asa.org                       *****
*****     opr. (303)790-8606; phone (303)705-0728           *****
*****     fax (303)790-9130                                 *****
*****************************************************************