Underwater abode for deep-sea living open to public by 2027

Hello from DEEP HQ! Today, we emerge from stealth and over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing more of what we have in store for the world of marine technology and underwater exploration.

We’re especially thrilled to share more about our groundbreaking Sentinel system! pic.twitter.com/XW3jrkSdcW

— DEEP (@UnumSumusMare) September 4, 2023

Expertise and location

To ensure the success of this pioneering project, DEEP has also launched its institute aimed at training a specialized cadre of divers. These divers will be instrumental in transporting the modular architecture from land to its underwater location and will oversee the habitat's long-term operation and maintenance. As for the locale, DEEP has selected the South West region and Wales in the UK, rich in marine engineering, diving, hyperbaric, and submersible expertise.

Renewable power and sustainability

Beyond its research and residential capabilities, Sentinel stands out for its focus on sustainability. The power systems will be based on a micro-grid architecture integrated with DEEP’s satellite communications buoy and a renewable energy source. Furthermore, DEEP's research team is developing a large-scale bio-reactor to manage waste, thereby preventing the need for routine tank emptying.

Safety remains a paramount concern for DEEP. The organization collaborates with the world-leading certification body DNV to ensure Sentinel becomes the world’s first subsea habitat to achieve third-party certification. DEEP is unwavering in its commitment to meet stringent safety standards.

Sentinel's multifaceted benefits

DEEP explains Sentinel's modular system is virtually limitless in its scalability. Its components can be configured, re-configured, and even relocated at depth, catering to varying mission requirements, from small, six-crew deployments to 50-crew, multi-nation research stations.

Sentinel has been engineered to operate in one atmosphere or at ambient pressure, facilitating shorter visits for academics and media professionals lacking diving qualifications and enabling more extended missions for qualified divers.

Habitability and comfort

A team of human performance and diving experts has worked on every aspect of Sentinel’s interior, ensuring the functional design and a high level of comfort and well-being for its inhabitants.

Modularity and re-deployability

The architectural modularity of Sentinel allows for seamless adjustments on the seafloor. Its estimated 20-year service life ensures that the habitat can be re-deployed globally, maximizing its utilization and optimizing its usability for various projects.

Sentinel promises to be more than just a research facility or an underwater home; it's poised to be a game-changer in how we interact with the oceans. With capabilities ranging from serving as an ‘International Space Station for the oceans’ to mimicking spatial and environmental conditions for space research, the Sentinel system ushers in a new era of marine and outer space exploration possibilities.