Photos: Submersibles explore the deep

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  • Mir

    Mir

    What do you do when the world you want to explore is deep under water? You might go get yourself a submersible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains more about the technology on its Web site. Following are some of the submersibles described there in detail.

    The Mir submersible is lowered into the water via a cable connected to the ship's winch system. This battery-powered, three-person vessel is designed to operate at depths of 20,000 feet. This front view shows its versatile manipulator arms and huge viewing port.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Clelia

    Clelia

    The three-person submersible Clelia is launched from an A-frame crane. The Clelia can cruise at 3 knots and is certified to operate at a maximum depth of 1,000 feet.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Johnson-Sea-Link

    Johnson-Sea-Link

    Scientists have maximum visibility in the Johnson-Sea-Link's acrylic sphere, which can accommodate four people, dive to 3,000 feet and travel at 1 knot.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • ABE

    ABE

    Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's autonomous underwater vehicle, the Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE). Developed in the mid-1990s, the ABE can be programmed to monitor underwater surfaces for months at a time, during which it takes photographs and collects surface samples and other data. It weighs 1,200 pounds and has a cruising speed of 2 knots.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • RCV-150

    RCV-150

    The RCV-150, a remotely operated vehicle, as it is deployed from its steel cage. The RCV-150 is designed to operate as far down as 3,000 feet.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Alvin

    Alvin

    The Alvin, owned by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, was the brainchild of Allyn Vine, a WHOI engineer who conceived of the submersible in the 1930s and later helped develop it. The first Alvin dove to 35 feet. As currently constructed, it can descend to 14,764 feet.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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Submersibles equipped with the latest technology patrol at crushing depths and provide direct contact with new species and habitats.

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Mir

What do you do when the world you want to explore is deep under water? You might go get yourself a submersible. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains more about the technology on its Web site. Following are some of the submersibles described there in detail.

The Mir submersible is lowered into the water via a cable connected to the ship's winch system. This battery-powered, three-person vessel is designed to operate at depths of 20,000 feet. This front view shows its versatile manipulator arms and huge viewing port.

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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