The Submersible Alvin Revealed
Explore the questions and answers below to find out more about the submersible Alvin. Dive in!
QUESTION:
What’s it feel like when you’re descending in Alvin?
ANSWER:
You actually sense very little motion inside the sub, except when you’re bobbing on the surface. Mostly, you can tell you’re descending by the color of the water outside your porthole. It gets dark pretty quickly — within about 10 minutes!
QUESTION:
How long does it take to get to the ocean bottom?
ANSWER:
About one to two hours, depending on how deep you’re going. You usually work for four or five hours on the bottom before ascending. A typical dive generally lasts eight hours.
QUESTION:
Do you have to wear anything special in the sub?
ANSWER:
It gets very cold in the sub. The temperature of the water is just above freezing, so you have to wear a few layers of wool or cotton clothing, including extra pairs of socks. You cannot wear shoes, jewelry, or any synthetic material (like nylon or Lycra) in the sub. Shoes would just get in the way. Jewelry might scratch Alvin’s window. Synthetic clothes are not permitted for fire safety reasons.
QUESTION:
How much room do you have in the sub?
ANSWER:
It’s very cramped. There’s enough room for two scientists to sit with their legs alongside each other, and the pilot to crouch on a tiny padded bench. If you want to stretch out, it is possible for one (short) person to stand up with their head in the hatch. You also spend a lot of time laying on your side or stomach, looking out your porthole, operating your equipment and conducting experiments.
QUESTION:
What do you eat in the sub?
ANSWER:
There’s a traditional lunch served to the scientists and crew on a dive: one peanut butter and jelly sandwich, one “mystery meat” sandwich, a candy bar, and a piece of fruit. Since you’re generally very busy and lose track of time while you’re working, you tend to eat when you’re in transit between sites!
