Between launches and recoveries, sunrises and sunsets, the days in Milos fly by. As the team gains experience in our living laboratory of Paleochori Bay, a steadier routine has started to take shape. 

Our days begin early with a hearty breakfast to fuel the day ahead, then we load the van and head out to the deployment site for a day of fieldwork with MOLA, our portable mapping robot. Whether we’re deploying MOLA from a boat or from shore, the sequence is the same: set up our base station, run through the pre-dive checklist, and launch. The hours that follow are full. Some of us process the data, others pilot the vehicle to the areas of interest to launch autonomous missions, and still others keep an eye on the sensors and systems. As the sun begins to set, we recover the vehicle and head back to our lodging, where a few small, friendly kittens are always waiting to add some extra cuteness to the day.

Once MOLA is back on shore, the data backup starts, and the team gets ready for a group dinner. Guided by our local collaborators, these dinners have become a chance to enjoy Greek cuisine and learn a little more about Greek culture. Our Greek is improving, slowly, very slowly. Every now and then one of us still greets someone with “Calamari!” instead of “Kalimera,” especially when we’re hungry.

Life doesn’t pause while we’re in the field, and some important personal moments come along with us. On this trip we celebrated the birthday of our lead pilot, Eric. It’s far from his first birthday away from home: Eric has spent several of them at sea, doing research and helping scientists understand the ocean a little better. The team gathered to celebrate him and his passion for ocean exploration. Thank you, Eric, for always lifting the team’s morale with your jokes and your laugh. Happy birthday!

The long hours are more than worth it. The magic of the underwater world around Milos, the warmth of its people, and the beauty of the island make up for every early morning. Places like this reaffirm our commitment to understanding our ocean and providing the data and tools that communities need to protect and preserve marine life, ecosystems, and resources for future generations.