17 October 2006 Captain Gary Chiljean R/V Atlantis, Voyage #15, Leg XII Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Mail Stop #27 Woods Hole, MA 02543 Dear Captain Chiljean: On or about 24 October 2006, your vessel being ready for sea and weather permitting, you will depart San Diego, California, on Leg XII of Voyage #15.  Upon completion of the science activities the vessel shall return to Manzanillo, Mexico, on 17 November 2006. The main scientific research objective is to investigate how larval behaviors interact with topographically-influenced flows on mid-ocean ridges, and determine how these interactions affect dispersal trajectories, maximal dispersal distances, and relative probabilities of supply to natal versus remote vents. The planned activities are Alvin dives, CTD casts, tracer releases and mooring deployments. The operations area will be the East Pacific Rise in the vicinity of 9-10N, 104:15W.  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. Andreas Thurnherr, Chief Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory are: R/V Atlantis Voyage #15, Leg XII San Diego, CA - Manzanillo, Mexico 24 October 2006 - 17 November 2006 Dr. Andreas Thurnherr, Chief Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Dr. Lauren Mullineaux, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Dr. Monika Bright, University of Vienna Dr. Stacey Beaulieu, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Carly Strasser, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Irene Garcia-Berdeal, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Dr. James Ledwell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Mr. Brian Guest, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Dr. Patrick Jackson, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Mr. Scott Worrilow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Mr. Brian Hogue, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Xiaorui Guan, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Ms. Francesca Terenzi, Columbia University & NASA - GISS Ms. Alice Kohli, University of Zurich Ms. Sigrid Katz, University of Vienna Ms. Sabine Gollner, University of Vienna Ms. Bettina Pflugfelder, University of Vienna Mr. Andreas Laschober, University of Vienna Ms. Shannon Williamson, J. Craig Venter Institute Dr. Florence Pradillon, University Pierre et Marie Curie, France Dr. Yuri Rzhanov, University of New Hampshire Mr. David Sims, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ms. Kazumi Shibata, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution The ship's agent in San Diego, California, will be: Paxton, Shreve & Hays Inc. 2191 Main St. San Diego, CA 92113 Contact: Tom Jenkins tel. (619) 232-8941 fax: (619) 232-3006 telex: 6731029 SHREVE SDG email: marineops@pshinc.net 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