Deep Ocean Expeditions

You will journey to the wreck of the Bismarck aboard the MIR I and II submersibles. They are capable of reaching ocean depths of 20,000 feet (6,000m). This means they can reach 98% of the ocean floor worldwide. Housed aboard their mothership Akademik Keldysh, the MIRs (meaning peace in Russian) are part of a group of only five manned submersibles in the world that can dive beyond 10,000 feet (3,000m). Constructed of nickel steel, they are designed to withstand the enormous pressures at these ocean depths.

The MIRs have a length of 25 feet (8m) and their cabin is 7 feet (2.1m) in diameter, accommodating one pilot and two passengers. Air pressure inside the cabin remains at a constant one atmosphere: the air is recycled in a manner similar to that used on board spacecraft. No traditional bathroom facilities exist on board however a special pre-dive diet will help keep you comfortable. During the dive there will be a drop in temperature and some slight internal condensation.

The MIRs are very safe and relatively spacious submersibles, equipped with viewports, exterior lights and an impressive array of instruments. They are incredibly strong and impeccably maintained. By the end of 2001 they had made over 500 dives - more than 120 of them to the wreck of the RMS Titanic. Hollywood director James Cameron chartered the MIR operation for his epic 'Titanic' feature and more recently in the making of Cameron's yet to be released 3-D high definition documentary based upon deep wrecks of the Atlantic Ocean.

Both MIRs were built in Finland in 1987 and are owned and operated by The P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of sciences. German Lloyd, a leading ship and submersible classification bureau inspect the submersibles on an annual basis.

Following a final briefing, you'll enter the submersible, and the Keldysh on-board crane will lift the MIRs into the ocean. After pre-dive testing, ballast water will be pumped into the tanks and you'll begin your descent at a rate of 100 feet (31m) per minute. Three acrylic view ports, each seven inches (18cm) thick will be your windows to the undersea world.

By 800 feet (250m) all traces of sunlight will be gone and you will be immersed in total darkness. To conserve power, the MIR submersibles descend without external lights. However the pilot will,at times, switch them on to observe passing marine life.

Even in the darkness, the ocean is alive.

Be sure to look for tiny bioluminescent creatures, whose glowing characteristics require no illumination to be seen. By 4,000 feet (1,240m) the interior of the MIR will start to cool and you may want to don extra clothing. Topside the Keldysh (only occasionally out of voice contact) will help navigate the MIR to the wreck site 14,200 feet (4,670m) below the ocean surface.

Your deep dive observations will provide valuable data for the on-board research scientists.

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