I got nailed by an undulated moray eel. It was caught by researchers using a lobster trap and was brought to the boat where a piece of its tail was clipped for DNA studies. I was filming the process and for the eels release back to the water I sat on the edge of the boat with one of my legs overboard for balance. As soon as the poor panicked eel took off it went straight for my foot and bit it real hard and deep. Blood was spraying from the top of my foot.

At the ship I was taken to sickbay where I got eight stitches. I am lying in bed now with my swollen foot up in the air. Unfortunately, that’s most likely the end of my diving for this expedition. I feel sadness and naturally upset.

Not only that walking on crutches on a rolling ship is not fun its also dangerous. Also if the wound get infected than a coast guard evacuation from the middle of the sea is complicated. thats why the ship doctor and chief scientist decided that they are going to leave me on midway atoll and continue their way to he next location tomorrow afternoon. the first flight out of Midway is on Wednesday back to Oahu. I was happy to spend four days on Midway.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 at 7:21 pm.