DEEP has completed the installation of its Vanguard pilot subsea human habitat at Tennessee Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, advancing its infrastructure program and enabling the next phase of
DEEP has completed the installation of its Vanguard pilot subsea human habitat at Tennessee Reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, advancing its infrastructure program and enabling the next phase of testing ahead of multi-day underwater research missions.
The habitat was installed following a marine operation that included placing an ocean floor foundation, securing the habitat to the foundation and tethering a nearby surface support buoy.
The system is located on the seabed at a depth of 17 meters and is designed to accommodate crews of up to four aquanauts on research missions lasting five or more days.
DEEP said sea acceptance testing and commissioning are now underway as the final steps toward classification by DNV, which has provided independent technical assurance throughout the habitat's design and construction.
Following commissioning, the company will begin habitat support crew training ahead of the first research missions at Tennessee Reef.
"Installing Vanguard at Tennessee Reef was a carefully choreographed marine operation with a lot of moving parts, and the culmination of 18 months of intense design, build, and testing efforts. Today is a huge milestone and an experience I'll never forget.
“Successful deployment gets us closer to enabling a continuous human presence in
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