DEEP SEA EXPLORATION
The deep diving submersible Limiting Factor hovers near surface during a trial in 2018.
The Limiting Factor, a crewed deep-submergence vehicle (DSV) made by Triton Submarines and operated by Gabe Newell's Inkfish ocean-exploration research organization, holds DNV certification for full ocean-depth dives. Manned by a pilot and equipped with an observer's station, it played a pivotal role in the Five Deeps Expedition, becoming the first submersible to reach the deepest points in all five oceans. Notably, 21 individuals ventured to Challenger Deep, Earth's deepest area, using the Limiting Factor. This versatile submersible was pivotal in locating the wrecks of the USS Johnston and USS Samuel B. Roberts, conducted dives to the French submarine Minerve (S647) in the Mediterranean, and explored the RMS Titanic in the Atlantic. The vessel boasts a spacious spherical titanium pressure hull for two occupants, features wide-angle acrylic viewports, and has a starboard-side manipulator arm, ballast release system, and five ducted propeller thrusters for versatile movement.
The DSSV Pressure Drop's Kngsberg EM124 sonar system was employed for a two-week duration to chart the Challenger Deep within the Marianas Trench. The Challenger Deep comprises three distinct "pools" of varying depths. The central pool is relatively shallower, followed by the western pool, while the eastern pool is recorded as the deepest, reaching a depth of 10,925 meters. This depth measurement was conducted during the period of April 28 to May 3, 2019, utilizing the manned submersible DSV Limiting Factor as part of the Five Deeps Expedition.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Segment 1: We embark on a detailed journey to the ocean's deepest realms, guiding you through the zones of the ocean, starting from the well-lit epipelagic zone, descending into the mysterious mesopelagic, and then into the twilight zone. We explore the pressure-filled abyssopelagic before finally reaching the otherworldly hadal zone. The journey provides a comprehensive understanding of the ocean's layered complexity.
Segment 2: We discuss the tragic incident that occurred on June 18, 2023, when the Titan, a submersible operated by OceanGate, suffered a catastrophic implosion during an expedition to explore the Titanic wreck off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. Onboard were notable figures including Stockton Rush, OceanGate's CEO, French deep-sea explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani-British businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his son Suleman. Maritime law expert Brian McNamara joins the show to dissect the legal aftermath of this tragedy after it became evident that the submersible had significant design flaws, and the CEO had taken extraordinary measures to evade inspection, leading to a deeply entangled legal quandary.
Segment 3: We are honored to have Dr. Dawn Wright as our guest, who made history in 2022 as the first Black person to dive to the depths of Challenger Deep, on board the DSV Limiting Factor with Victor Vescovo. She graciously shares her remarkable journey and experiences during that historic dive. Dr. Wright also shares her pioneering work at ESRI and the innovations behind ArcGIS, highlighting the invaluable role of geographic information systems in advancing our understanding of Earth's complex landscapes.