185 



Woods Hole, MA., U.S.A. 



DEEP SUBMERGENCE RESEARCH VEHICLE (DSRV) "ALVIN" 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 



"Big Science" Descriptor ; Oceanography 



Description of Facility/Instrument : DSRV ALVIN Is an untethered, 



manned submersible capable of operation at depths of 4000 meters. 

 It is a national oceanographic facility jointly funded by the 

 National Science Foundation (NSF), the Office of Naval Research, 

 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 



Date of Construction : 1964, converted 1973-74 



Construction Cost ; Original ; $950,000 



1984 $$ ; more than $25 million 



Present International Cooperation 



Nationality(s) of Ownership ; U.S. 

 Nationality(s) of Operational Funding : U.S. 

 Nationality(s) of Management Staff ; U.S. 

 Nationallty(s) of Researchers : Usually U.S. 



Potential for Future International Cooperation : Japanese scientists 

 (JAMSTEC) have expressed interest in exchanging submersible time 

 in ALVIN for the SHINKAI 2000. At present, no firm plans have 

 been made for any International programs. 



Other Information ; In 1974, ALVIN participated in the first major 



sea floor spreading study as a part of the French-American Mid- 

 Ocean Undersea Study (FAMOUS). This expedition also Included 

 the French submerslbles CYANA and ARCHIMEDE and was the first 

 to be carried out by ALVIN using the new titanium sphere which 

 replaced the original steel sphere. 



DSRV ALVIN was constructed by Litton Industries in 1964 

 at a cost of $950,000. In 1974, the original steel pressure 

 hull was replaced with one fabricated from titanium, increasing 

 the depth capability from 1800 to 4000 meters. The best esti- 

 mates for new construction of a submersible similar to ALVIN 

 and capable of operating at 6000 meters are that it would cost 

 in excess of $25 million in 1984 dollars. A 6000 meter cap- 

 ability would permit exploration of 97 percent of the world's 

 ocean floor. 



