----- Original Message ----- 
 From: SFreihof@aol.com
 To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
 Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 4:47 PM
 Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Mercury ballast
 Mercury was used by Cousteau for trimming his soucoup because of 
the
liquid metal's high density.  I would expect mercury to be very
expensive and hard to get now.
 Likewise, the Bathyscaphe Trieste used gasoline in her float 
because
it is a lighter--than-water liquid.  It worked, but I don't think 
you'd
get away with that technique now because of environmental hazards.
 Given our current knowledge, why ignore the fact that there are 
better
choices with fewer drawbacks than mercury for ballast and gasoline 
for
flotation?
 My 2 cents paid in full.
 Stan
 In a message dated 2/18/2004 12:46:47 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ojaibees@ojai.net writes:
   I'm not designing my sub for a lawyer.
   Brisn Cox
     ----- Original Message ----- 
     From: NeophyteSG@aol.com
     To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
     Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:40 AM
     Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] battery acid? & battery issue 
follow
up
     In a message dated 2/17/04 11:46:38 PM Pacific Standard Time,
ojaibees@ojai.net writes:
       I don't intended on drinking it, and it will be in a closed 
loop
and sealed.  The fact that it is liquid makes it ideal for pumping 
from
point A to point B.
       Brian
     I'll suffice to say that, for me, it comes down to the 
question of
whether the design advantage is worth it when balanced against the
potential and likely event that an environmental government agency 
(DEQ,
Coast Guard) and/or activist group(s) finds out you're carrying even
trim-ballast-quantity of mercury in State or Federal waters or over
roads on a trailer (DOT governs transportation of toxic & hazardous
materials) ... shudder.  Not only that but I'd feel like ... if I
actually spilled.  Not for me.
     Shawn