DSV Alvin

ocean exploration · submersible · deep sea

Built for exploration. Alvin is a crewed research submersible owned by the United States Navy and operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. It was built starting in the early 1960s by General Mills' Electronics Group in Minneapolis.

Named after a visionary. The submersible was named after Allyn Vine, a scientist who came up with the idea and inspired the whole project. When Alvin was commissioned on June 5, 1964, it became one of the world's first deep-ocean research vessels.

Carries human explorers. Unlike underwater drones that are controlled from ships above, Alvin actually carries scientists inside it. This lets researchers directly observe the deep ocean and collect samples with their own hands.

Working for decades. Alvin has been exploring the ocean since 1964, which means it's been discovering secrets of the deep sea for more than 60 years. It continues to help scientists understand how life thrives in the darkest parts of our planet.