HOV Alvin
Science enabled by NDSF vehicles at Ocean Sciences
Learn how data collected from NDSF vehicles is moving science forward. Here are some talks featuring our vehicles at the upcoming Ocean Sciences Meeting 2024.
Read MoreEleven new Alvin divers!
In August, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsored three days of engineering dives with human-occupied vehicle Alvin off the coast of San Diego, California. The vehicle team and crew of R/V Atlantis took federal agency representatives from the National Science Foundation, ONR, NAVSEA, Office of Management and Budget, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and WHOI leadership on a short expedition to demonstrate the intricate operations and rigorous protocols that enable safe scientific submersible operations.
Read MoreThe Maverick Design Choices That May Have Doomed Titan
Submersibles must withstand the deep ocean’s crushing pressures, which squeeze with equal force from all sides. At Titanic’s depth – two and a half miles down – every square inch of a submersible experiences three tons of pressure. A spherical hull distributes the stress evenly, making it the best shape for resisting the compressive forces…
Read MoreNSF News: Submersible Makes Ocean Discovery
Scientists used the submersible, Alvin, to make amazing discoveries, including these ancient deep-sea coral reefs recently discovered within the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
Read MoreWhat is the future of submersibles after Titan implosion?
The Titanic submersible’s deadly implosion raised serious questions about the safety and future of vehicles that are sometimes unregulated. NBC News’ Kristen Dahlgren visited the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to learn how its vessels are tested and designed.
Read MoreScientists using HOV Alvin aboard R/V Atlantis discover pristine deep-sea coral reefs in the Galápagos Marine Reserve
Scientists have discovered extensive, ancient deep-sea coral reefs within the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR)—the first of their kind ever to be documented inside the marine protected area (MPA) since it was established in 1998. The reef, found at 400-600 meters (1,310-1,970 feet) depth at the summit of a previously unmapped seamount in the central part of the archipelago, supports a breathtaking mix of deep marine life.
Read MoreTwo new Alvin pilots
Rick Sanger (#44) and Nick O’Sadcia (#45) are the newest Alvin pilots, making them qualified to pilot the sub on science expeditions in the deep sea. Rick Sanger is one of Alvin’s newest Navy-certified pilots. Photo by the Alvin Team, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Rick Sanger is a research engineer at WHOI and has…
Read MoreNDSF user spotlight: Roxanne Beinart on microbes and deep sea science
Roxanne Beinart, photo by Alex Deciccio. Roxanne Beinart is a professor of biological oceanography at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. She’s been using NDSF vehicles since early in graduate school and is a member of the Deep Submergence Science Committee (DeSSC). We sat down with Beinart to hear about how all…
Read MoreIncreased bandwidth on UNOLS fleet
Aerial view of R/V Atlantis and R/V Neil Armstrong at sea together. Photo by Kent Sheasley © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Both R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis will have expanded bandwidth at sea for the rest of 2023. The faster upload and download speeds are part of a fleetwide trial, funded by the Office…
Read MoreDiving into ocean data: Meet the NDSF data team
The National Deep Submergence Facility—home to Alvin, Jason, and Sentry—is more than just an innovator and operator of underwater vehicles. It also manages data collected by those vehicles. And that adds up to a lot of data.
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