The article was prepared for the 1998 Annual Meeting of the Marine Technology Society, held in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Steven L. Miller
NOAA’s National Undersea Research Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
515 Caribbean Dive, Key Largo, Florida 33037
smiller@gate.net
1.0 Background | 2.0 New Communication Technology | 3.0 The Future
The evolution of Aquarius operations also corresponds with advancements in the Aquarius science program. The strengths of the Aquarius program already include the following capabilities:
Each of these capabilities contribute to an overall program that facilitates coral reef research that could not be accomplished using conventional technology. For example, 10 day Aquarius missions would take more than 60 days if conducted using surface–based technology. Few scientists have the time to spend months in the field, when a 10 day Aquarius mission can be used to accomplish the same goals. This assumes that the work could even be conducted from the surface, which many times is not the case because Aquarius provides unique laboratory capabilities (not available using boats). Significantly, the conversion data from Aquarius to surface–based diving assumes an unreasonably rigorous dive schedule and no weather delays.
While time can often constrain the ability to complete field work, cost is also an important consideration. It is expensive to implement a major surface–based operation. Sixty days in the field using four divers can easily approach $60,000 ($700/day for a boat and dive support, $120 day per diem for four people, and $120/day hotel expenses for two rooms). In practice, it will take more time and cost more than the above estimate to convert Aquarius diving to a surface–based project. At the depths worked from Aquarius, surface-based diving is significantly more rigorous than saturation diving. Four divers cannot maintain a rigorous schedule for more than a couple of weeks without significant time off. And over a period of even one week, multiple dives to the depth limits defined by NOAA, even using nitrox, produce fatigue and greater risk of decompression sickness. Therefore, the above costs reflect a conservative assessment.
By comparison, the operating costs of the Aquarius 2000 program are estimated at about $10,000 per day (total cost of program divided by the number of saturation days), which is certainly a higher day rate than surface–based diving. However, if expenses are compared on a per project basis, a 10 day mission costs $40,000 more than a 60 day surface–based program — assuming the work could even be conducted from the surface, which in many cases is not possible. Finally, Aquarius 2000 provides significant media access and public outreach capabilities that are not possible in conventional dive operations, and while the program’s science mission is paramount these other activities are valuable too.
Bottom time is not the only advantage afforded aquanauts. The new computer network in Aquarius, linked to the watch desk seven miles away on shore, with high speed links to the internet, provides scientists with email and communication to anywhere in the world. Video conferencing is possible with outside groups. Digital images of new or unknown species can be sent to laboratories for identifications when needed. Data can be sent to laboratories in real–time from experiments in Aquarius or out on the reef, along with routine oceanographic monitoring. The first science mission in 1999 included our first “virtual” aquanaut, where the principal investigator did not saturate but was able to receive data, trouble shoot electronic equipment, and interact with Aquarius aquanauts from mission control on shore. While extensive development of the Aquarius 2000 homepage provides the public with a window into Aquarius, the same technology provides scientists with access to research support during missions that could not previously be imagined.
In summary, The Aquarius 2000 program represents the next generation of underwater living, and is the result of over 35 years of technological progress directed to better understand our oceans. As the world’s only seafloor laboratory for marine science, Aquarius addresses critical issues related to understanding the health of ocean environments and resources. Aquarius 2000 provides unparalleled access to the ocean for scientists, managers, teachers, students, and the public.
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