Everett Company Builds Equipment For Titanic Exploration

From Ocean Gate Inc.: OceanGate Inc., Everett, WA, a provider of manned submersibles services and Everest Marine a division of Penn Cove Shellfish located in Burlington, WA, a leader in specialized solution vessels and equipment, just completed construction of a modular subsea platform used for the launch and recovery of deep sea manned submersibles.

Everest Marine spent five months on the custom fabrication of the nearly eleven-ton modular platform designed specifically for OceanGate’s fleet of Cyclops-class manned submersibles. The finished platform was delivered to OceanGate in late November with an overall size of 38’ long x 16’ wide x 4’ tall. Constructed of aluminum, the platform is lighter in weight than its predecessors and is modular so it can be disassembled and efficiently transported by sea, land, or air.

The platform is comprised of rectangular ballast compartments and utilizes low-pressure air tanks functioning much like a ship’s dry dock. With the submersible secured to the platform, dive crews can launch and recover the submersible by flooding the ballast tanks and submerging the entire integrated dive system to a depth approximately 30 feet below the effects of surface waves. Once submerged the pilot can disengage the locking mechanism, and the submersible can safely lift off of the platform to begin the dive.

At the conclusion of a dive, the pilot docks the sub on the submerged platform, guided into position by integrated landing provisions. Once in position, the locking mechanism is engaged to secure the submersible on the platform. This can all be done without scuba divers. Once secured, an OceanGate custom valve is used to transfer air from the low-pressure air tanks to the ballast compartments to push the water out and bring the platform and submersible to the surface.

“We knew there had to be a more efficient way to launch and recover our submersibles” said Stockton Rush, OceanGate CEO “The OceanGate team did a fantastic job in the design and engineering of the platform and Everest Marine made it a reality.”

Historically, large ships equipped with an A-Frame or crane and scuba team have been necessary for the launch and recovery of manned submersibles. The custom platform and manned submersible work in tandem to create the Cyclops 2 integrated dive system eliminating those requirements enabling the crew to work from nearly any local ship of opportunity instead of being restricted to a specific vessel configuration.

“As a fellow local Northwest business, it was an honor to work with the OceanGate crew on this unique opportunity.” said Jim Nagel of Everest Marine. “We strive to help our clients realize their visions, and couldn’t be prouder of this project and the opportunity it provides for the advancement of ocean exploration.”

Everest Marine has a long history of vessel innovation. Serving the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years they have proven themselves as the standard for quality custom work and commercial boat building. They bring expertise and ingenuity to every project helping their clients realize their dreams, big and small.

Initial dives for the integrated Cyclops dive system will begin in January 2018 in Puget Sound before deploying to the Bahamas for deep sea validation in April. In June 2018, the integrated dive system will be used during the Titanic Survey Expedition; the first manned submersible expedition to the world’s most famous shipwreck since 2005.

Image Courtesy of OceanGate