Deep Ocean Expeditions

We expect your dive duration to be approximately 11 to 12 hours. You are encouraged to bring along your camera and take your own pictures at the Bismarck site. Your pilot can advise you about proper camera settings. And if you are not experienced with a camera it is not a problem.

At the end of the expedition you will receive a videotape and colour photographs of your participation in this adventure. This imagery will include scenes filmed on board Keldysh as well as the wreck site.

Illuminated by the powerful lights of the submersible you will witness the remains of the Bismarck. The main section is surprisingly intact, although it shows signs of the large-scale damage wrought by the pounding of the British shells. Part of the stern section has broken away and the main gun turrets are missing. Many of the smaller guns, including the anti-aircraft guns are still in place. The bridge area was largely blown away but the remaining superstructure is intact although obviously damaged.

Some of the wooden planks are still visible on the deck. Outside high-tech video and still cameras will record your experience. The MIRs have powerful and long lasting battery systems with more capacity than any other deep diving submersible. This makes them ideal filming platforms for deep wrecks or areas of scientific interest.

Upon completion of the mission, ballast water will be pumped out and the MIR will begin its ascent. With the help of acoustical transponders the pilot will co-ordinate carefully with the Keldysh to navigate safely back to the ocean surface, where your submersible is lifted back onboard and greeted with suitable celebrations.

All the dives will have a scientific component through collecting samples, taking instrument measurements and making photographic imagery at the seafloor. Keldysh's team of Oceanographers will work with this material to help expand our knowledge of the deep ocean at the wreck site. You are encouraged to participate in this work and will be welcome to visit the shipboard laboratories.

The pilots and engineers of the submersibles are very experienced and are truly world experts in this type of operation. Many of them have been with the program since the MIRs were first put into service over 14 years ago. During this time these submersibles have been employed in numerous international scientific expeditions.

bismarck.pdf (246Kb)