Technologically Sensing the Underwater World

This chapter looks into the technological affordances offered to scientists by the research vessel Electra. We will engage some of Electra’s tools—CTD and Sonar—to illustrate what sort of engagement with the underwater world the vessel offers the scientists. This time, however, the Electra is not out on a typical expedition, now it is assisting the Vasa Museum in its search for a lost cannon from the Vasa ship. In this search, we will learn about what Electra can and cannot do, how far into the sediment it can look/listen, and what other sorts of information—and feelings—can be gauged from its instruments. Moreover, we will learn about the costs of renting the research vessel, research politics, and more.