We are now nearly at the start of our first Pinger line. A pinger is a sub-bottom surveying instrument that emits a relatively low energy set of sonar pulses (pngs) at a relatively high frequency, allowing it 
to penetrate the upper few 10’s of metres of sediment cover usually (but not bedrock). The high frequency wave can pick out quite thin beds (reflectors) of the energy, and thus tell us where interesting sequences or sediment types might be located. As I review the only similar data available to us currently (by kind agreement with the British Geological Survey), I realise the data was obtained in 1978, when I was roughly the same age as my eldest son is now! His drawing of ‘the boat’ is on my cabin wall:
The sea state has calmed quite a bit since we left Bantry Bay last night. Our sonar equipment recorded us passing over an 11m (~40ft) swell wave en route. Most of us felt each wave as it passed – little sleep was had by all.
GATEWAYS2 
Bon voyage and good luck to you all. Nice picture. , G
Thank you for the good blog – it is great to see what you are up to and where you all are! Best of luck and I hope that you get some good sampling done tonight/tomorrow! Take care out there!