04 February 2022
The Nautile, our right arm under water
BathyBot, the radiometer, the seismometer and the Scientific Junction Box, which will provide them with an electrical and internet connection, have been sent to the bottom. Now we have to check that the descent went well and that all these devices have landed on their target point at 2400 metres. The Nautile is the only one capable of carrying out this mission.
It is a manned submarine designed by theIfremer which can carry out observation and intervention operations at depths of up to 6,000 metres. It has two electronic arms remotely operated from the inside by the pilot, which is handy for moving an aircraft that hasn't landed where it should! But that's not all! The Nautile is responsible for connecting all the equipment on the EMSO-LO site to the Scientific Junction Box. The submarine's assistance is invaluable during this mission.
Soon images taken from the bottom by the Nautile on the twitter of @BathyBot !
Photo credit: Nicolas Fromont - @nicolasfromontphoto
A dive in the Nautile
The submarine can hold a maximum of 3 people (a pilot, a co-pilot and a scientist) due to its relatively small space of 2m², and we breathe in a closed circuit thanks to an air rebreather. The environment can be observed from three small portholes, although the deep blue quickly turns to black. The only visible light may be the bioluminescence of certain organisms. The duration of the dives is generally not supposed to exceed 6 hours. You have to take into account the time needed to get into the water, which is highly technical, the time it takes to get to the bottom and sufficient intervention time to complete the mission. But the Nautile is capable of ensuring the survival of the people travelling on board for 5 days in the event of a (major) problem! On board, there is emergency food and, as for the toilets, no... you don't want to know!
The photo shows Olivier, one of Le Nautile's pilots, climbing aboard before a launch. To be a pilot on the Nautile, you need to be in as good shape psychologically as you are physically.
Photo credit: Nicolas Fromont - @nicolasfromontphoto