Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival by air at Ponta Delgado, Sao Miguel Island. Transfer to vessel. Evening depart for our voyage to the first vent site.

Days 2-6
At sea

Day 7
Arrival Snake Pit hydrothermal vent site. Lay navigation transponders.

Days 8-10
Snake Pit hydrothermal vent site.

Day 11
Snake Pit hydrothermal vent site. Evening departure to Tag hydrothermal vent site.

Day 12
Morning arrival at Tag hydrothermal vent site. Lay navigation transponders.

Day 13
Tag hydrothermal vent site.

Day14
Tag hydrothermal vent site. Evening departure to Broken Spur Hydrothermal vent site.

Day 15
Morning arrival Broken Spur hydrothermal vent site. Lay navigation transponders.

Days 16-17
Broken Spur hydrothermal vent site.

Day 18
Broken Spur hydrothermal vent site. Evening depart to Lost City hydrothermal vent site.

Day 19
Morning arrival at Lost City hydrothermal vent site. Lay navigation transponders.

Days 20-22
Lost City hydrothermal vent site.

July 05
Lost City. Evening departure to Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent site.

July 06-07
At sea.

July 08
Afternoon arrival at Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent site. Lay navigation transponders.

July 09-11
Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent site.

July 12
Lucky Strike. Evening departure to Pico, Azores.

July 13
Morning arrival Pico Island, Azores. Participants depart for home.

From the Azores, we sail aboard the world's largest oceanographic research vessel - the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh - to our first dive site, 1300 miles (2100 kms.) to the southwest. Your dive to the various hydrothermal vent sites will be made aboard either the Mir I or Mir II submersible. These are vessels capable of reaching ocean depths of 20,000 feet (6,090m). Housed aboard the Keldysh, the Mirs (meaning 'peace' in Russian) are two of only four manned submersibles in the world capable of reaching these depths.

Their pressure hulls are constructed of special nickel steel, specifically designed to withstand the enormous pressures in these ocean depths. The Mir's cabin compartment is seven feet (2.1m) in diameter, accommodating one pilot and two passengers. No traditional bathroom facilities exist on board however a special pre-dive diet will help keep you comfortable. A box lunch is available for a snack during your 6-9 hour dive. Air pressure inside the cabin remains at a constant one atmosphere and the air is recycled in a manner similar to that used on board spacecraft.

Prior to your dive day, there will be a special orientation briefing and an on-deck visit to the inside of one of the Mirs to fully acquaint you with your 'innspace ship'. In addition, the Mir support staff and other on board experts will be always available to answer your questions about the dive and operations of these unique submersibles.

Hydrothermal Vents (PDF)