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In new submersible, conservationists can unlock mysteries of the deep ocean
National Geographic Pristine Seas unveils its state-of-the-art submersible, the Argonauta — a tool empowering scientists and filmmakers to gather data from and film the least explored, least understood part of our planet.
Photo by Avi Klapfer/National Geographic Pristine Seas
Honiara, Solomon Islands (October 29, 2024) — Scientists are exploring deep sea environments this week in a new submersible, the Argonauta, in hopes of inspiring marine protections. While more than 80% of the ocean remains a mystery, modern tools are opening underwater worlds not yet seen.
“Being able to explore the deep sea—one of the most extreme environments on the planet — in this new sub will provide us with a treasure trove of data and images needed to conserve it,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Executive Director of National Geographic Pristine Seas. “When the natural light begins to dwindle and darkness sets in, the awe-inspiring magic of Earth is on full display. The more we understand about the life forms who call the deep sea home, the better chance we have of protecting them from human impact.”
The sub is the newest addition to Pristine Seas’ suite of research tools aboard its expedition vessel, the Argo. Taking its first scientific dive off the waters of Papua New Guinea, the sub is now on expedition in the Solomon Islands and will accompany team members on their multi-year journey across the tropical Pacific Ocean. It will provide data to help governments decide which marine areas to protect and bring local conservation heroes aboard to see their home from a new angle.
Built by SEAmagine, the sub can dive 1,300 meters underwater — which is triple the depth of the Argo’s now-retired sub, the DeepSee. This new capability will empower scientists to study marine life none of them have seen live before, including rare and deep water sharks, and invertebrates that attach to the deep ocean bottom such as tube worms and sea fans.
“Unlike cameras, which often require special filters and lighting to capture clear images beneath the surface, the eye's capability to perceive subtle color variations, motion, and depth in real-time provides a richer, more accurate experience than any artificial lens can achieve,” remarked Charles Kohnen, co-founder and chairman of SEAmagine. “This natural adaptability and sensitivity to subtle changes in the underwater environment make our eyes remarkable tools for underwater exploration and observation.”
An all-encompassing view of the ecosystem is one of the sub’s most exciting features. The window forms a bubble around its passengers, allowing for a nearly 360 underwater view — something not achievable by most tools being used to study the ocean’s health. Passengers will be able to view underwater life from every angle and in real time.
The propulsion thrusters enable the sub to maneuver quietly in all directions, much like a drone. This critical capability allows pilots to get close to deep reefs, walls, and seamounts in a safe and unobtrusive manner. The sub can complete missions up to 14 hours — more than doubling the amount of time the team could spend aboard its last submersible.
An underwater science lab, the Argonauta sub comes equipped with mud and water samplers, an 8K UHD camera, imaging sonar, adjustable underwater lighting, and scaling lasers. Scientists will use a custom-made pump to collect genetic material from the surrounding water (eDNA) at various depths, which can be used to study the presence of organisms that are not visible.
Pristine Seas’ mission is to support local and national conservation efforts, so the team plans for decision makers and local scientists to ride aboard the sub — seeing their country as never before. While those experiences will not happen right away, the data collected will be shared with every nation being explored, in service of their ocean conservation efforts.
“Our new sub is tripling the depth at which we are able to collect data in real time and ensures we can welcome people aboard whose families have depended on the ocean for millennia,” commented Lindsay Young, VP of research at Pristine Seas. “By documenting the incredible diversity of life found in these hidden depths, we are not only expanding our knowledge of the ocean, but also enhancing our ability to safeguard its future.”
An underwater acoustic radio enables the Argonauta sub to communicate with the support team on the surface at all times, and a position locator ensures its underwater position is known throughout the entire dive. With its design and build certified by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the sub is regularly tested to comply with class requirements. All dives are subject to weather and ocean conditions and staffed by a second pilot and a safety diver.
Pristine Seas is currently on expedition in the Solomon Islands, where local and international team members are acclimating to the new sub and testing its capabilities. Pristine Seas’ world-class research program surveys unique marine environments, from shallow to deep, from microbes to sharks, and its award-winning film team produces compelling documentaries about marine conservation. The Argonauta submersible expands these capabilities in service of ocean protection around the globe.
Pristine Seas’ work would not be possible without the generous support of our funders: Ted and Michele Waitt, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Lindblad Expeditions-NGS Fund, Don Quixote Foundation, Look and See Foundation, Tanka Foundation, Steve Koltes, LGT-Venture Philanthropy, The Postcode Lottery, Walmart Foundation, Philip Stephenson Foundation, Campbell Foundation for the Environment, Oracle Education Foundation, Heinz Family Foundation, Serventi Family Foundation and several individual donors.
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About National Geographic Pristine Seas
National Geographic Pristine Seas works with Indigenous and local communities, governments, and other partners to protect vital places in the ocean through research, policy, and filmmaking. Since 2008, Pristine Seas has helped establish 30 marine protected areas, spanning more than 6.9 million square kilometers of ocean.
Pristine Seas is part of the global non-profit, the National Geographic Society. Our mission is driven by science and filmmaking — we are fully independent from National Geographic publishing and its media arm.
Pristine Seas' work is made possible through the generous support of the Beagle Charitable Foundation, Allison Bennington, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Campbell Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, Don Quixote Foundation, The Heinz Family Foundation, Anne K. Howson, Levy Foundation, LGT Venture Philanthropy, Lindblad Expeditions– National Geographic Fund, Look and See Foundation, Ann Luskey, Oracle, Philip Stephenson Foundation, Postcode Lottery Group, Rituals, Serventi Family Foundation, Tanka Foundation, Ted and Michele Waitt–TTMMC Fund, UBS Optimus Foundation, Walmart Foundation, an anonymous donor, and other individual donors.
About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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