TO: R.H. Herzer 23 February 1995 Institute of Nuclear and Geological Sciences Lower Hull, New Zealand

Dear Mr. Herzer,

I have received your fax dated 23feb95 inquiring about deviating from the great circle transit on the upcoming leg between Hobart and Papeete (our cruise identifier = WEST12MV) to cross over some interesting topography northwest of New Zealand.

This leg is mostly transit but will have a program of collecting air and water samples northwest of Tahiti near the end of the leg which must have priority over other ancillary tasks. We will try to accomodate your request if it can be done without compromising that funded program.

I have sent a copy of your request on to the Marine Superintendent for consultation with the captain who will be on R/V Melville during that leg. After their evaluation, we will be in a better position to respond to your request.

Incidently, we received your fax on our Fax number 619-534-5306, not the other Fax number listed on your header page.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message so we know we have 2-way email communication.

Sincerely,

Stuart Smith, Head Geological Data Center Scripps Institution of Oceanography La Jolla, CA 92093-0223 Phone: 619-534-2752 email: ssmith@ucsd.edu