The “Curasub”, as our trusty submersible is called, was built by Nuytco Research Ltd., a company based in Vancouver, Canada that is widely regarded as an innovator in the field of manned underwater vehicles. The sub has been rated and classified for 1000 feet by the DNV GL (an international society headquartered in Høvik, Norway) and can carry multiple persons.
Safety is monitored at all times through radio communication with the surface support and the battery power is 100% redundant, as for air and oxygen. In addition, the cabin uses scrubbers, which extract the carbon dioxide (CO2) and provide the sub with a “life support window” of 96 hours. The sub is also equipped with the required sampling capabilities for research expeditions, which include two manipulator arms, a sampling pump, and a collecting basket.