Avatar and Titanic director James Cameron has given his DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to help further research efforts in next generation underwater craft, WHOI annouced on Tuesday.
“Jim’s record-breaking dive was inspirational and helped shine a spotlight on the importance of the deep ocean,” said Susan Avery, president and director of WHOI. “There is heightened urgency to implement innovative approaches. Partnerships such as this one represent a new paradigm and will accelerate the progress of ocean science and technology development.”
“Our sub is a scientific proof-of-concept, and our partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is a way to provide the technology we developed to the oceanographic community,” Cameron said.
On March 26, 2012, Cameron piloted the neon green, cigar shaped DEEPSEA CHALLENGER 35,787 feet below the surface of the ocean to rest at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
WHOI will now study how to incorporate the “flotation, energy storage, camera and lighting systems,” into future expeditions, according to a statement.
The dive was part of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition put on by Cameron, National Geographic and Rolex.
Last year, the Naval Institute’s Fred Schultz interviewed Cameron shortly after his 2012 dive.
