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BATZELLA ATTACKS Mission Dispatch 3 - April 6, 2005 | Mark Schrope - @SEA Correspondent Between Bimini and Cay Sal 
We stopped about midway along the path from Freeport to Cay Sal today to get in two submersible dives near Bimini in
hopes of collecting more of a promising sponge called Batzella. The group is studying the sponge because it produces
several compounds that have shown capability in attacking pancreatic cancer cells in the laboratory. During both dives today
they were able to collect a number of samples of the sponge and the scientists have been busy analyzing them.
The team also made it out for the first scuba dives of the trip using one of three small boats on the ship. It's a 21-foot Boston Whaler with twin engines that makes a nice, stable dive platform. The first dive was to about 100 feet to a mostly sandy area with some coral heads. 
The second
dive was in about 75 feet, with similar terrain. That one involved an
interesting visitor. The divers were hounded throughout the dive by a
rather large remora. This is the species of fish you normally see attached
to the underside of a shark fin via a suction cup on its head. An
unattached remora is something of an oceanic loser, wandering around with
no place to live and no apparent friends. This one seemed especially
desperate and made multiple attempts to attach to us. Early on it even bit
Jake Johnson's ear, who swatted it away not knowing what was there. No
blood drawn, for those who may be wondering.
SEARCHING FOR ATLANTIS Late tonight we should finally arrive at Cay Sal. In researching the area prior to the trip, I came across several Internet sites referencing an account from 1977 where someone claimed to have found some sort of pyramid in 150 feet of water in between Bimini and Cay Sal with a mysterious light source at its tip. There are actually a variety of reports of odd underwater structures in these parts, including a submerged road, that have fueled speculation by some that Atlantis was around here somewhere. 
I read about the pyramid on the Internet, so I know it's true. And as luck would have it, we're crossing the area at night, so I should be able to spot the light source on the pyramid anytime now. I'll keep you posted... 
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