Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1979)
Page 12 THE BATTALION MONDAY, JANUARY 15. 1979 The MSC Hospitality Committee will conduct interviews for membership on January 17 & 18 from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Room 216 L MSC For more information come by room 216 MSC or call 846-1515. Jockey-size divers needed for WASP that allows dives without decompressio The Corps of Cadets gets its news from the Batt. 7E31 IMCREMftLE This TRANSFER Now Available Only At SHIRTS T Woodstone Center (Hwy. 30) 693-9308 Open 10-9 United Press International MORGAN CITY, La. — It looks like an underwater coffin, but no self-respecting casket has robot arms, metal claw hands, directional jets and a glass window for peering out. This newest $250,000 innovation in underwater technology is called WASP, a hard shell tube of aluminum alloy that gives an underwater diver unique mastery over the pressurized peril of deep water diving known as the bends. Within minutes, a diver can sub merge 2,000 feet and then surface just as quickly without having to undergo decompression to combat the bends — a sometimes fatal ill ness caused by the presence of ni trogen bubbles in the bloodstream. The bubbles result from a difference in pressure on the human body. “The diver goes through no de compression,” said Gene Strong, a shop foreman for Oceaneering International, the world’s largest independent diving contractor, that developed WASP. “When he gets out, he heads for the house. It’s a system that can be used in lieu of saturation diving.” The amazing thing about WASP, named for its bee-like, floating characterisitics, is its tiny size. Di vers almost have to be the size of race horse jockeys. “You've got to be less than 5-foot-10 and weigh less than 165 pounds to operate this thing,” Strong said. “This thing is small and light. It’s about a ton, but that is light when you’re talking about an underwater apparatus. “It’s just like a submarine without arms.” WASP orginally was designed 2Vi years ago by Osel, a British com pany. But Oceaneering developers soon discovered the suit did not live up to its press clippings. For one thing, WASP was greatly under powered and had developed several leaks. For an underwater diving suit, that was not a good selling point. “We knew it was a good idea but it didn’t work too well,” Strong said. “So we redesigned it and made it into something that would do what we wanted it to do. “It’s 2V& years down the line and we finally have it to the point where — I wouldn’t sav it could chase fish HiiiPiPS NORTHGATE-ACROSS FROM THE POSTOFFICE GET 20"% MORE IN TRADE NOW BUYING USED BOOKS \ The AHaNflVT FREE DRYING (when you wash) (8i00 AM TIL 5:00 PM) 10% Discount on other services i ! ★ ★ ★ Dry cleaning Washateria Laundry service (Attendants available to wash, dry and fold Monday- Friday.) Starch and iron Offer good this week (Mon-Fri) only must bring this ad — AHCINHVT 3702 S. College — but it can do a lot more than it used to.” The skinny diver squeezes into WASP through its top by unhinging the glass dome. His straight legs are close together, and his arms are placed snuggly into WASP’s ribbed arms. After the cover is closed, the diver is completely contained in the pressurized cabin. The safety de vices are enough to stagger even a NASA scientist. There are two types of radio communication, one through a tethering cable and the other through wirelss sonar. If the power cable is severed, WASP switches to battery power and can remain fully operational for at least four hours. A diver has enough life support for 40 hours if the regular system fails. And if WASP’s directional jet thrusters malfunction, a diver can jettison the power packs and thus become 150 pounds bouyant — floating to the surface within min utes. Whale-watching time exciting off California United Press International SAN DIEGO — “There’s one at 10 o’clock,” a crew member shouted, and a dozen anxious passengers ran to the front of the boat, steadying their cameras and binoculars. Moments before, many of those same passengers were leaning over the railing at the stern, sickened by the rolling seas and deep swells. But then camera shutters were clicking and excited onlookers were marveling at the sight. It was a 30-foot California gray whale, gracefully surfacing for a breath of air before diving back below the surface, and continuing the last leg on its annual 5,000-mile journey to Baja California, Mexico. First they had seen the spout, like a pulf of white smoke against winter’s darkened horizon. Then the water broke, the sharp ridges on the back of the whale becoming visible as it slowy rolled through the water. Amid sighs and shouts, the gigantic mammal’s tail emerged. Then, too quickly for the boat’s passengers, the whale disappeared again, leaving behind only a calm spot in the otherwise choppy seas — a “footprint, experienced whale-watchers call it. Occasionally, watchers were treated to a “breach” — a term used to describe a whale sending its front half out ot the water, making it’s entire head visible. But even if it’s just a tail they see, enthusiastic watchers didn t seem disappointed. Tens of thousands of people board fishing boats, sailboats and small ('raft each winter in Southern California to see the migration of the gray whales, according to Hazel Sayers, national president of the American Cetacean Society. In San Diego, private fishing boat owners offer their craft for whale-watching excursions as the winter months usually mean a lull in their normal business. “It s a good source of income for the sport fishermen,’ Mrs. Sayers said, adding that the average whale-watching trip out of San Diego lasts about three hours and costs about $15. Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmopsheric Admin istration, which has jurisdiction over marine mammals, established regulations governing the sport. The purpose of the regulations 1 , which require that boats get no closer than 100 yards to California gray whales, is to protect the whales from overzealous whale-watchers who might injure the crea tures with boat propellers or disturb their normal migration. A violation carries a $10,000 fine. The California gray whale, with an average adult length of 40 to 45 feet, may weigh up to 35 tons. “We also have an uli; pinger that goes ping, ping : ; the diver is lost,” Stroii® “Something can always hai Bon Avery, 30, Ocean* marketing director, says tM tial for such an underwater* device is just beginning tokj nized. “It is directly proportional* the oil and gas industry Avery said. “As they moveli deeper and deeper water, tkfl put a regular diver down tl|| less they have a WASP. It’sil and demand situation. Asti) mand increases, more WAS; be generated.” The WASP basically is to examine underwater t. and offshore rig supports.! floats in the water and doesij a solid stance, however, not able to do heavy-duty i nance operations. That is| another oceaneering maclB called JIM — that is able toy the water bottom and take? stance. j ■ I “WASP is designed forinsjH tours, Avery said. QufefeLOND (WASP and JIM) are used Texas, is port each other. moil. Ab So far two WASPs are indent ci tion, one working offshorein; “Few The other WASP at More-t, could has helped Tennessee Gas day s teh spec-ting pipelines in thi Iroekleba M exico. The main advantageoFet has over other types of reir fimckleb trol vehicles is the human dfl “Remote control vehiclesif ing eyeballs, but they cant the human element, Av “You .still need people to the WASP. A guy can l something and say, ’What is that? ” Avery said customers usi WASP can cut back theirei during routine inspectioni tions by reducing the numba vers and heavy- support equl In an industry where doiy like Gulf Stream currents,tj ings cannot be underestimatl However, Avery said "f ^ >am not for sale. Ev on § “We can work with any come up with an equitable Avery- said, smiling. Avery is banking on every millionaire wanting an uni coffin of his own. w ha no BUR nuclear Mrs. arryinj onstru Mrs. yellow CHRISTIANITY HOAX OR HISTORY?? fe 1 The On January 17, 1979 a new course on Christian Apologetics and Christian Evidences will be offeredfcL people who are looking for answers to questions about God's existence, Jesus' Sonship, the Bible's inspiu “yv* 1 - tion. Special Creation versus organic evolution, and many other such questions. This course, which is taup s j^ 1 on the college level, meets each Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. It is not a course in chr* doctrine; rather, it is a course designed to investigate and examine the evidences which stand behind tl Christian faith. It is a course for anyone who would like to see these evidences presented in an obje manner. Here is the course syllabus for the Spring, 1979 semester: Jan Jan Jan Feb Feb Feb Feb Mar 17 Why Study Christian Apologetics/Evidences? 24 Causes for Unbelief of Men Ac Antagonism Toward God 31 Can We KNOW There Is A God? 7 Evidences for the Existence of God 14 Sovereignty of God 21 Bible — Its Unequalled Uniqueness 28 Origin of the Bible 7 Inspiration of the Bible Mar Mar Mar Apr Apr Apr Apr May TAMU Spring Vacation (No class tonight) Alleged Contradictions in the Bible Jesus — Son of God & Man of History? Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus? Resurrection — Hoax or History? y Miracles and Anti-Supernaturalism | Special Creation or Organic Evolution? Special Creation or Organic Evolution? The course meets each week of the regular TAMU semester (except holidays) at the building of the t Church of Christ (across the street from the A&M Consolidated High School Building) at 1001 WestLaJ South. The course lasts 15 weeks. There is no charge whatsoever for the course. A textbook is provided f charge to each participant, as well as a large volume of written handout materials. There are no term pap required, ororal presentations. The class is conducted in the discussion/lecture format, with ample timegivf for discussion. The teachers are: Bert Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Veterinary Public He; College of Veterinary Medicine, TAMU; and Ken Lawrence, sophomore Biomedical Science major. WemtfJ you to join us as the course begins on January 17, 1979 at 6:00 P.M. Everyone is welcome! For furtlu| information feel free to call Dr. Thompson at 696-7513 after 5 or Mr. Lawrence at 845-3439. f MSC Cafeteria ^ Now Better Than Ever. You Will Be Pleased These Carefully Prepared and Taste Tempting Foo^ Each Daily Special Only $1.79 Plus Tax. “Open Daily” Dining: 11 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. —4:00 P.M. to 7:00PJ i MONDAY EVENING SPECIAL Salisbury Steak 1 with Mushroom Gravy Whipped Potatoes Your Choice of One Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and Butter Coffee or Tea TUESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Mexican Fiesta Dinner Two Cheese and Onion Enchiladas w/chili Mexican Rice Patio Style Pinto Beans Tostadas Coffee or Tea One Corn Bread and Butter WEDNESDAY EVENING SPECIALS Chicken Fried Steal w/cream Gravy Whipped Potatoes Choice of one other Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread andi Coffee or Tea VS THURSDAY EVENING SPECIAL Italian Candle Light Spaghetti Dinner SERVED WITH SPICED MEAT BALLS AND SAUCE Parmesan Cheese - Tossed Green Salad Choice of Salad Dressing - Hot Garlic Bread Tea or Coffee FRIDAY EVENING SPECIAL BREADED FISH FILET w/TARTAR SAUCE Cole Slaw Hush Puppies Choice of one vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee SATURDAY NOON and EVENING SPECIAL Chicken & Dumplings Tossed Salad Choice of one vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter T ea or Coffee SUNDAY SPECIAL! NOON and EVENINL) ROAST TURKEY DINN Served with Cranberry Sauce Cornbread Dressing! Roll or Corn Bread - Butls| Coffee or Tea Giblet Gravy And your choice of anyj One vegetable “Quality First”