Titanic submarine to be replaced in 2008

By Cyrille Cartier

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Alvin, the 40-year-old submarine that let scientists explore the Titanic, find a lost Hydrogen bomb and discover
more than 300 new animal species, will be replaced by a newer version in 2008, U.S. scientists say.

The new vessel -- as yet unnamed -- will go deeper, move faster and stay down longer -- up to seven hours instead of five.

It will also boast more space, greater storage capacity and advanced lighting, navigational and data collecting equipment.

But scientists at the National Science Foundation said on Friday that with all its upgrades, it will take time for the new vehicle to capture the
public's heart.

"The new vehicle has its work cut out for it to develop the relationship with the public and the scientific community that Alvin currently enjoys,"
said Barrie Walden, a marine operator at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the vessel's operator.

Alvin, the first human-occupied vehicle used routinely in scientific exploration, could plunge to depths up to 14,750 feet (4,500 metres).

Some of its abilities have already been surpassed by vessels from Russia, France and Japan. China is building its first vehicle.

Like Japan's submarine, Alvin's replacement will be able to dive as deep as 21,000 feet (6,500 metres), and it will be able to carry more
observers.

It will also have another advantage -- a 7.5-mile (12 km) fibre-optic cable as thin as a fishing line that will let it send real-time data and video
to the host ship and classrooms around the world.

With its two mechanical arms, the vehicle will be able to prod under rocks and collect specimens in front and side storage baskets.

The submarine will be able to access 99 percent of the ocean floor, so scientists can comb through deep sea trenches, said marine
geologist Dan Fornari at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who has been in Alvin more than 75 times.

"(The) type of processes that go on in the deep ocean trenches (have) the potential to be a very large energy source," Fornari said.

Reuters
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