Page 53: of Marine Technology Magazine (June 2020)

Researched & Written by Celia Konowe

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology

KAUST and Others Conduct Deepest Manned Red Sea Dive

In cooperation with the King Abdullah Kebrit Deep was Dr. Alan Jamieson from Suakin Trough, the team dove into the

University of Science and Technology Newcastle University; with him on the caldera of an extinct underwater volcano (KAUST), an expedition performed by dive to the Suakin Trough was Moham- to study its geology. the Caladan Oceanic crew and Victor med A. Aljahdli from the KAUST Coastal This expedition has created opportuni-

Vescovo, renowned explorer, investor, and and Marine Resources Core Lab. ties for protecting the Red Sea and its retired naval offcer, reached the deepest Both points exhibit unique traits, as resources. “As we continue this year’s point achieved by man in the Red Sea— they have “brine lakes” on the seafoor expedition into the Indian and Pacifc the Suakin Trough. that differ in character from the seawater Oceans, we hope to explore as many new

Using the DSV Limiting Factor above them. Averaging about 10 metres in areas as possible with this, the deepest submersible from Triton Submarines, depth, the ultra-dense pools settle in the diving system on the planet, and inves- manned dives were completed to the centres of the Deeps and create under- tigate the 90 percent of the ocean that

Suakin Trough (2,777 m/9,111 ft) and the water “shorelines” between the highly remains unexplored,” said Vescovo. The

Kebrit Deep (1,470 m/4,823 ft), mak- saline brine below and regular sea water next phase in the 2020 Caladan Oceanic ing Vescovo the frst person to physi- on top. Mineral and sponge-encrusted Expeditions is in partnership with the cally reach these points in the Red Sea. “chimneys” were observed along these Nekton organisation in the Indian Ocean

Accompanying him on the dive at the shorelines of the Kebrit Deep, and in the to explore the Seychelles and Maldives.

The ocean submersible

DSV Limiting Factor recently dove to the

Kebrit Deep and the

Suakin Trough, the latter of which is the deepest point in the

Red Sea to be reached by man. © Atlantic Productions www.marinetechnologynews.com

Marine Technology Reporter 53