•

TIL about Alvin, a deep sea sub from the '60s still active today

I Rode a Submersible to the Deep Sea. After the Titan Implosion, I Keep Thinking About What Happened Before We Launched.

https://slate.com/technology/2023/07/deep-sea-research-alvin-submersible-oceangate-titan-implosion.html

The vast majority of deep-sea exploration is nothing like the OceanGate disaster.

I Rode a Submersible to the Deep Sea. After the Titan Implosion, I Keep Thinking About What Happened Before We Launched.

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSV_Alvin

Sounds like it was (shocker) really well designed. It even sank once when a cable snapped on support boat --- crew escaped, and it was recovered and retrofit. And if things go sideways, the cabin/titanium sphere could detach, floating freely up to the surface.

After hearing about OceanGate, deep sea subs sounded terrifying --- but reading about this is somehow very comforting.

11 comments

db2

•

Deep sea subs designed by people whose only actual attribute as a person is having money are terrifying.

gooddaytodayhere

•

Totally agree. That thing sounded horrendous. This one is oddly reassuring

FarceMultiplier

•

The one thing I've learned in my 35 years of corporate work is that rich people are absolutely not smarter, and definitely not wiser, than the average worker.

HewlettHackard

•

To be fair, it’s a Ship of Theseus - none of the current sub is from the 1960s:

The current Alvin is the same as the original vessel in name and general design only. All components of the vessel, including the frame and personnel sphere, have been replaced at least once.

qjkxbmwvz

•

Good point! I think this makes it even neater in a way: it was a solid, modular design that allowed for upgrades.

vithigar

•

Alvin is an incredible little vessel. I was fascinated by it as a kid. My grandfather had a book about the exploration of the Titanic, which featured Alvin (and the Jason Jr ROV) very prominently.

ashtrix

•

But what fun would it be without a game controller

CanadianCorhen

•

i'm still fine with using a game controller for a project like this. game controllers are designed to be sturdy, ok with abuse, replaceable and adaptable.

That said, a 15 year old, $30 controller might not have been the best idea.

Revan343

•

Honestly the game controller was probably the most reliable part of the Titan

Today

•

Super interesting. Thanks for sharing!