Deep Ocean Expeditions

US and Canadian viewers of the Discovery Channel were treated to a unique broadcast on the evening of 24 th July. Nearly two hours of live footage was beamed from the bottom on the North Atlantic from inside the wreck of the Titanic. James Cameron who was outside the wreck in the Russian submersible MIR II, flew 2 ‘bots' into the wreck to gather footage live-to-air. Viewers were treated to footage from inside the MIR's, the decks of the Titanic and then deep inside the famous ship itself. A particular highlight included the images of the gold clock on the mantelpiece of the Strauss cabin, still in place after the dramatic sinking and 93 years in the sea.

During the broadcast, Keldysh and the other surface craft endured a gale which produced 30 knot winds and driving rain. DOE staff remained on the bridge of the 400ft Keldysh and its two support craft to assist the Captain with maintaining position over the dive site, and also to maintain links with both the satellite and RF equipment. The expedition had near perfect weather for the weeks of preparation for the shoot, but Murphy's Law dictated that the worst weather for the season occurred during the broadcast. Despite this, however, the technology worked perfectly. The success of the operation can largely be attributed to the many months of technical preparation put in by Earthship Productions in-house engineers and production staff.

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