Barcelona, Spain April 28th, 2022 – The world’s deepest diving three-person acrylic submersible was officially named ‘Aurelia’ today and will soon go through sea trials as it gets prepared for its first missions.
The ‘first-of-its-class” sub was built by Triton Submarines LLC for REV Ocean, and the final assembly took place at the Triton facility in San Cugat, Spain. A deep-submergence vehicle (DSV) is a deep-diving crewed submersible that is self-propelled.
The sub offers scientists, researchers and guests an unrivalled experience in ocean observation achieving depths up to 2300 m (7500 ft). Aurelia’s huge acrylic sphere provides a truly immersive experience for occupants, with near 360-degree unobstructed views. The sub is also fitted with comprehensive scientific sensors, tools, cameras, and sampling equipment.
A public naming competition for the sub was launched in February and the winning name was submitted by Ivar Ruijten an ROV supervisor/pilot from the Netherlands. The name is fitting because it means gold, or “The golden one” (from the Latin Aurum). Aurelia Aurita is also the commonly seen moon-jellyfish that can easily be recognized by its distinctive four horseshoe-shaped patterns, as seen through the top of the bell.
REV Ocean’s other deep-sea vehicle, ROV Aurora entered service in October 2021 and successfully dove the Malloy Deep and the Gakkel Ridge in the Arctic Ocean (3800 m), successfully sampling hydrothermal vents for the first time.
REV Ocean’s CEO Nina Jensen said, “Aurelia is absolutely incredible and perfectly designed for REV Ocean’s scientific goals and ambitions. With both Aurelia and Aurora now in service we have the best tag-team in the world for conducting cutting edge ocean science, education, and communications.”
The whole REV Ocean team was on site to observe the naming ceremony.
Aurelia will next go through extensive sea trials around the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean over the coming weeks to test its capabilities, performance and science equipment. The sea trial is the last phase of construction. Representatives from Triton, governing and certification officials, and representatives of the owner will participate. This will lead to Aurelia’s certification for commissioning and acceptance by its owner.
Said Triton Co-Founder and President Patrick Lahey, “Triton is proud to support REV Ocean’s ambitious initiative to dive deeper, explore further and learn more about the ocean. With the introduction of the Triton 7500/3 (Aurelia), it is now possible for REV Ocean to take a pilot and two crew members on dives as deep as 2,300 meters or 7,500 feet while they enjoy the most compelling viewing experience achieved to date from inside the thickest acrylic sphere ever created. Aurelia will also feature several other new technologies, which increase endurance, expand utility, and enhance effectiveness in ways not possible before. At Triton, we never stop innovating and it is a privilege and an honor to work collaboratively with an organization like REV Ocean, which shares our passion and enthusiasm for ocean exploration.”
About REV Ocean
REV Ocean is a not-for-profit company created with one overarching purpose and ambition – to make our oceans healthy again. Established in Norway in 2017, REV Ocean’s mission is to enable and inspire ocean solutions and combat the negative pressures currently affecting the ocean.
About Triton Submarines, LLC
Triton Submarines of Sebastian, Florida, is the most experienced civil submarine producer in the world today – and the only contemporary manufacturer of acrylic and titanium pressure-hull-equipped personal submarines to deliver multiple classed and certified vessels with rated diving depths as shallow as 200 meters to depths as great as 11,000 meters. Triton Submarines’ senior staff have over 400 years of combined experience with more than 100 different submersibles, and their operations team members have together logged over 35,000 dives. Triton clients also enjoy superlative after-sales service and technical support from a company dedicated to their total satisfaction.
Triton Submarines, through its delivered 36000/2 model and contribution to the Five Deeps Expedition, engaged in record-breaking dives to the deepest point of the world’s five oceans with the first submersible ever certified for Full Ocean Depth operation. For more information or press materials on Triton, please contact Kelly Downey at kelly@shaminabas.com.
For more information, please contact:
Leighton Rolley
Science Systems Manager, REV Ocean
E: Leighton.Rolley@revocean.org
P: +447463559291
W: revocean.org
