In early 2022, a popular dive center at a flooded quarry near Bristol, UK, was abruptly closed, leaving local scuba divers confused. Nearly two years later, the reason became clear: the site had been acquired by DEEP, a UK-based ocean technology company, as a research hub. Last September, DEEP emerged from stealth mode, unveiling its ambitious goal to “make humans aquatic.”
At the heart of DEEP’s vision is the *Sentinel* system, an underwater habitat designed to support human life and work at depths of up to 200 meters (656 feet) for as long as a month. The *Sentinel* system consists of interconnected modules that can be configured to suit different purposes, from scientific research to underwater archaeology. Scalable and adaptable, the habitat can accommodate missions as small as six people or expand to support 50-person research stations.
DEEP hopes to establish a permanent human presence underwater, similar to the International Space Station (ISS), which has facilitated human activity in space since 2000. The company’s first step is a smaller version of the *Sentinel* system, known as *Vanguard*, a 12-meter (40-foot) by 7.5-meter (25-foot) habitat with enough space for three people to live underwater for a week. *Vanguard* is expected to be operational at DEEP’s UK campus by early 2025.
The *Vanguard* system could be vital in scenarios where fast deployment is critical. For instance, it could have aided the search for survivors of a superyacht that sank off the coast of Sicily in August 2023. Divers had limited time underwater due to the depth of 50 meters (164 feet), but an underwater habitat nearby could have served as a base, extending their stay and improving their effectiveness.
Currently, the only operational underwater research lab in the world is run by Florida International University. If all goes according to plan, DEEP’s *Sentinel* system will be ready by 2027, and the company envisions deploying the habitats globally. However, DEEP acknowledges the challenges in reaching these ambitious goals.
**Innovative Design for Extreme Conditions**
The *Sentinel* habitat will be constructed using 3D-printing robots that produce modules from steel reinforced with Inconel, a nickel-based superalloy known for its durability in extreme environments. This material has been used in components for the Space Shuttle and SpaceX rockets. Depending on the depth and pressure, the habitat can be accessed by submarines or through a “moon pool” at its base.
The habitat will be connected to the surface via a buoy equipped with Starlink for internet connectivity and powered by renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels. DEEP is already in advanced talks with organizations and governments worldwide to lease, purchase, or share space within these habitats.
DEEP’s vision extends beyond exploration. The habitats could pave the way for new ocean-related careers and investments, much like how the ISS reinvigorated interest in space exploration. Possible uses include monitoring underwater infrastructure, coral restoration, naval dive training, medical research, and even tourism.
**Growing Interest in Ocean Exploration**
DEEP’s work aligns with increasing global interest in utilizing ocean resources, from renewable energy to deep-sea mining. The habitats could also provide marine biologists with extended periods underwater to study ecosystems more thoroughly than short scuba dives or submersible missions allow.
Bill Dennison, a marine science professor who studied seagrasses aboard *Hydrolab*, an early underwater habitat, recalls the benefits of long-term underwater research. “I learned more about the ocean in that one week than in all my other dives combined,” Dennison said. However, he acknowledges the challenges: subsea habitats are expensive and risky, requiring advanced equipment and skilled personnel.
DEEP’s competitive edge comes from its financial backing, though the identity of its founder remains a mystery. Wolpert, DEEP’s president, hinted that the founder is a North American tech entrepreneur passionate about ocean conservation.
**Reviving Public Interest in Underwater Living**
Public fascination with undersea habitats dates back to the 1960s when French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau launched projects to determine whether “oceanauts” could live and work underwater. Although Cousteau’s “underwater villages” captured the public’s imagination, interest in the oceans faded over time.
More recently, private individuals have renewed focus on ocean exploration. Initiatives like DEEP and Proteus, a research station founded by Fabien Cousteau, grandson of Jacques Cousteau, are bringing underwater habitats back into the spotlight. DEEP aims to engage the next generation through educational programs and training courses for future habitat occupants.
Wolpert believes that DEEP’s work can bridge the gap between humanity and the oceans. “There’s a large disconnect between humans and the sea,” he said. “Our goal is to drive a generational shift and reconnect humanity with the ocean.”
As DEEP moves forward, it hopes its holistic approach will inspire lasting interest in ocean exploration, sparking a new wave of innovation and discovery beneath the waves.
