What are the main issues faced by deep-sea
exploration today?
We have the capacity and technology to build both
manned and unmanned systems that can reliably
reach the deepest parts of the ocean. What is
lacking is the willingness to effectively fund
exploration; for meaningful exploration to occur, we
must be willing to accept that not all expeditions
will go as predicted. Sometimes, the greatest
discoveries are made by accident.What technology has DOER Marine developed?
We have worked to develop applied science,
multi-mission ROVs and submersibles for a broad
array of tasks. Our systems are designed to evolve
with new technology and client needs. For example,
the 6000m [19,685ft] ROV delivered to the
University of Hawaii last year supports a variety of
disciplines, from backing up the manned
submersibles program, to servicing the Station
Aloha Ocean Observing System, documentinghistoric wrecks and old munitions sites as well as
carrying out basic geological and biological survey
and sampling tasks. It is equipped with HD cameras,
supports multiple sensors and has Gigabit Ethernet
maximising the data collecting capacity.What are the main advancements in the fi eld in
the last few years?
The major advances have been in materials science,
processing power and reduced size of many
components. However, for the human-occupied
submersibles, battery technology advances have
been a game changer.What are the major discoveries that new
deep-sea technology has helped to unearth?
Some of the most interesting discoveries that have
been made have to do with promising new
medicines from the sea. Scripps Institute of
Oceanography scientists have been working with
microbes found to be effective in combatingfl esh-eating bacteria. The Canadian Cancer Society
has funded research involving deep-water sponges.
Sponges are also being studied and modelled in
artifi cial kidney research. The biggest discovery,
really, is how much more there is still to know about
the ocean.What does the future hold for deep-sea
exploration?
There has been much talk about moving toward the
exclusive use of robots and sensors [in deep-sea
exploration]. However, sensors and drones are great
tools to have but they don’t possess intuition and
they can’t act on a hunch. They can’t be surprised
nor can they return to directly share stories, igniting
the imagination and compelling others to care.
Knowing what we do now know about the ocean,
and its importance to our survival, I think we will
continue to “go down to the sea in ships” (and in
submersibles) but perhaps more as stewards rather
than as despoilers.Ask an oceanographer
Liz Taylor, president of DOER Marine reveals the challenges of deep-sea exploration
Personnel sphere
Fitting up to three crew,
the sphere contains all
emergency life support,
display screens and
control panels.Manipulator arm
Hydraulic robot arm used
for tasks such as taking
samples. Different tools
can be attached to the
arm, such as corers.Viewing sphere
The sphere of tough
glass in which the crew
sit allows an amazing
view of the water
column and life within.Flotation
Deep Search’s buoyancy
is provided by
numerous light, air-fi lled
ceramic balls, which fi ll
the back of the craft.Dive time
Deep Search has a
dive time of around
8-12 hours and can
reach the bottom
within 90 minutes.Versatility
The Deep Search sub
can stop, hover, transit,
sample and perform
many other different
tasks at any depth.The torpedo-shaped sub that allows direct human observation
throughout the water columnDOER Marine’s Deep Search
$40m
Budget for
the overall
DOER project© E. Paul Oberlander: Woods Hole Oceanographic Instit ution; DoerMarineDID YOU KNOW? Alvin was temporarily lost at sea in 1968. It broke away from tethers and sank 1,524m (5,000ft) underwater