Antarctica Sea Floor

Aboard the Seabourn Pursuit

During my December 2023 trip to Antarctica aboard the Seabourn Pursuit, I took the opportunity to dive down below the Antarctic waters aboard one of the two submersibles they have on board. The subs (U-Boat Worx Cruise Sub 7-300 Mk II) are capable of diving down to 33 meters and can carry 6 passengers plus a pilot. I loved the experience.

This is the type of submersible I got to dive in. Note: this photo is from another location.	A beautiful place to go for a submarine dive. Who knows what's down there? Let's go see!	The sub has been deployed from The Pursuit and is in position. The weather was calm enough to dive, but it was snowing. Snow and rain is no problem for diving, but strong winds or fast moving ice will cause dives to be scrubbed.

Getting ready to descend.	Our submersible pilot Ash, at the controls.	Getting a few shots during our descent.

At the bottom! A depth 174 meters (570 feet). There was very little light down here.	Despite the cold and dark, there was a lot of life.	We saw lots of invertebrates down here. Several species of sea stars, sponges, and a few fish. The shrimp-like krill that the whales & penguins feed on were also swirling around, attracted to our lights.

Some weird, spiky species of sponge.	A swarm of krill, attracted to the lights of our sub.	At the bottom in the darkness. What an outstanding experience.

174 meters down, under the sea in Antarctica, and of course I brought my Royal Canadian Geographical Society flag. This is the deepest underwater that I've personally ever been.	The submersibles are capable of carrying 6 passengers plus the pilot.	One of the 2 subs on board, in its "garage" below deck.

 

1

 

---