A British company specializing in ocean technologies has announced a competition that will give researchers a rare opportunity to stay for five days in an underwater habitat, with the aim of supporting scientific research in the deep sea.
The startup DEEP, specializing in ocean technologies, named the structure Vanguard. While underwater habitats aren't a new concept—the first one was built nearly 40 years ago—this particular dwelling, located off the coast of Tennessee Reef in Florida, is the first of its kind because it's anchored to the seabed. A company source indicated that working for extended periods inside the structure, built at a depth of approximately 17 meters, without surfacing, could lead to numerous scientific discoveries, presenting a valuable opportunity for researchers.
According to Futurism, the Vanguard building consists of a room with four beds, a sofa, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a science lab, along with a diving center equipped with an artificial air tank that allows the crew to perform underwater tasks. The habitat is also equipped with a semi-autonomous buoy that provides communication with the outside world and supplies it with oxygen and electricity, and can accommodate two scientists and two crew members simultaneously.
The company announced that it is accepting applications from scientific research teams to compete for the grand prize: a five-day stay on the ocean floor. Winners will also receive research grants worth up to $50,000.
According to the company's requirements, participants must justify the need for continuous deep-sea work and demonstrate its viability compared to traditional diving. Applicants must also be researchers in one of the following fields: coral reef restoration and monitoring, or human-machine interaction—that is, developing technologies that combine human activity with autonomous systems.
