Alvin: Pioneer of the Deep

A co-production of WHOI and WPBT2/South Florida PBS in Miami, this episode of the award-winning program Changing Seas takes a close-up look at Alvin and the extraordinary places it has taken researchers for more than 50 years. Now, Alvin is poised to continue its revolutionary scientific work with a new set of upgrades that will…

“Ballard doesn’t let setbacks—or anything else really—slow him down. But after 157 expeditions, the man who introduced the public to deepwater exploration is taking stock. This spring he’s publishing a memoir and releasing a documentary, both with National Geographic.” Read the preview story here.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), a world leader in ocean exploration, discovery and education, has named a new Chief Scientist for Deep Submergence (CSDS) for its National Deep Submergence Facility (NDSF). Dr. Anna Michel, an associate scientist in the Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, will be the first woman to serve in this…

Dr. Robert Ballard, the man who discovered the Titanic, at his home in Connecticut. (National Geographic / James "Jim" Ball)

Read a profile about former NDSF Director and WHOI Emeritus Research Scholar Bob Ballard in the LA Times.

NDSF just published the first edition of a quarterly newsletter for the deep-submergence community to share regular updates about the Facility’s people, projects, and vehicles. We’ll feature updates from the Alvin, Jason and Sentry Teams, as well as news articles, original stories, expedition photos (we’d love to include yours!), and more. Read the first issue…

An Alvin pilot and electrical section leader on flying a sub he helped design. Read the full interview with Drew here.

Scientists hurry to map the seafloor with Sentry before the next volcanic eruption on the East Pacific Rise.

Listen to Alvin Program Manager Bruce Strickrott explain how Alvin stays in one piece under the enormous pressure of the ocean.

Listen to Adam Soule talking about HOV Alvin–it’s storied history and promising future on this podcast from Physics World. The Alvin portion begins at 18:20.