Lake Baikal, (continued)

On the second day of the expedition, the G. Titov slows to a standstill and drops anchor just off the coast of the Olkhon Island near the western shore of the lake. The Titov, a 22-meter-long cutter, is well-equipped for expeditions, with sleeping compartments for 16, a small laboratory, a motorboat, a kitchen, and even a shower with hot water. The ship's seven-man crew includes the captain, first mate, two mechanics, two deck hands, and a cook.

On deck, diver Vladimir Votyagov suits up in a bulky red wetsuit, then jumps from the edge of the boat into the 8° C (47° F) water. As he desends his bright yellow oxygen tanks remain visible far below the surface: Baikal, which is among the most unpolluted lakes in the world, is famous for its extraordinary depth of visibility. On the clearest days, a white object lowered into the lake can be seen as far as 40 meters (124 feet) below the surface.



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