Subject: R/V ATLANTIS, Voyage #15, Leg XIII - Cruise Ltr. 17 November 2006 Captain Gary Chiljean R/V Atlantis, Voyage #15, Leg XIII Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Mail Stop #27 Woods Hole, MA  02543 Dear Captain Chiljean:   On or about 22 November 2006, your vessel being ready for sea and weather permitting, you will depart Manzanillo, Mexico, on Leg XIII of Voyage #15.  Upon completion of the science activities the vessel shall return to Manzanillo, Mexico, on 6 December 2006. The main scientific research objective is to continue a time series sampling of hydrothermal vent fluids at the East Pacific Rise. Science activities planned include Alvin dives for chemistry, biology and geology.  Recording temperature probes will be recovered and re-deployed, rock samples collected (sulfide and lava) and accompanying biological samples taken. Night work will include CTD and towed camera work. The operations area will be the East Pacific Rise in the vicinity of 9 45-56'N, 104 16-18'W. Scientific marine research within the exclusive economic zone of any foreign nation is strictly prohibited. The scientific personnel participating on this voyage under the direction of Dr. Karen Von Damm, Chief Scientist, University of New Hampshire, are: R/V Atlantis Voyage #15, Leg XIII 22 November 2006 - 6 December 2006 Manzanillo, Mexico - Manzanillo, Mexico Dr. Karen Von Damm, Chief Scientist, University of New Hampshire Ms. Jill McDermott, University of New Hampshire Dr. Sarah Carmichael, University of New Hampshire Mr. Michael Bates, University of New Hampshire Ms. Maria Florencia Meana-Prado, University of New Hampshire Dr. Timothy Shank, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Dr. Breea Govenar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Kate Buckman, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Dr. Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Portland State University Dr. Isabel Ferrera Ceada, Portland State University Mr. Gilberto Eugene Flores, Portland State University Dr. Daniel Fornari, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Allison Fundis, University of Florida Dr. Marvin Lilley, University of Washington Ms. Brooke Love, University of Washington Dr. Robert Lowell, Virginia Tech Dr. Leonid Germanovich, Georgia Institute of Technology Mr. Brendan Crowell, Georgia Institute of Technology Ms. Lei Lui, Georgia Institute of Technology Dr. Crispin Little, University of Leeds, UK Mr. David Sims, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Kazumi Shibata, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The ship's agent in Manzanillo, Mexico will be: Primary Agent: Vasile Tudoran Transport 819 Ohio Ave. Long Beach, CA 90804 Contact: Vasile Tudoran tel. (562) 882-5590 fax: (562) 434-9800 email : vtudoran@aol.com Subagent: Continental Maritime SA 83 Calle Colhuas, Centro 28200 Manzanillo, Colima MEXICO Contact: Daniel Arias Romo tel/fax: 011 52 314 33 21223 mobile: 011 52 314 100 8862 email: danielromo2003@yahoo.com.mx Please note:  At the completion of this voyage, both the Captain and Chief Scientist should fill out a Post-Cruise Assessment form.  The form is on-line at the following web site: http://www.gso.uri.edu/unols/pcarform.htm Please advise the Port Office of all personnel changes prior to departure and maintain the daily SITREP via INMARSAT C or other means as required. Please advise the Port Office of all significant expenses incurred, particularly the quantity, price and source of fuel oil.  Also, at each port stop, please advise the Port Office the gallons of fuel on board, stating the date the inventory was taken. I wish you a pleasant and successful voyage. Very truly yours, Approved and Signed by Robert S. Detrick Vice President for Marine Facilities and Operations