Undersea Studies with the DSRV Alvin Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas, September 1966.
Abstract
ALVIN is a deep submergence research vehicle sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. During August-September 1966, the Naval Oceanographic Office employed this submersible on 15 dives in the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas. The dive objectives and results are described and include visibility studies, bottom reconnaissance, soil mechanics tests, hardware inspection and repair, sub-bottom profiling, acoustic variability tests, gravity measurements, and investigation of a number of navigation techniques for submersibles. ALVIN's design characteristics, instrument performance, and the vehicle's surface tender affected the conduct of this operation in many ways. The advantages and disadvantages of these factors and how they relate to ALVIN as an optimum surveying vehicle are discussed. In general, the adaptability and reliability of all component systems and the high degree of maneuverability of the vehicle are particularly praiseworthy. The limited vehicle payload, lack of matched ports for dual viewing, and personnel discomfort proved to be the most restrictive features. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0854045
Entities
People
- Roger Merrifield
- Roswell F. Busby
Organizations
- Naval Oceanographic Office