In the Atlantic, our first of the ‘deeps’ to conquer, it was the challenge of the unknown; at nearly 8,400m it was our first foray into extreme depth. In the Southern Ocean it was the weather and the sub-zero water temperature. In the Pacific it was the colossal depths; the ultimate test of the engineering and technology. The overarching challenge of our mission of ‘world firsts’ is that there is no template to follow. We’re making it up as we go along and learning by doing.

The primary goal of the Five Deeps Expedition is to place a manned submersible at the deepest point in each of the worlds five oceans; hence the name ‘Five Deeps’. We are on a 40,000 mile voyage around the world to dive in the Atlantic Ocean (Puerto Rico Trench), Southern Ocean (South Sandwich Trench), Indian Ocean (Java Trench), Pacific Ocean (Challenger Deep) and the Arctic Ocean (Molloy Deep). Along the way we are also diving the Tongan Trench, which is regarded as the second deepest trench on Earth, and also on the wreck of the RMS Titanic.

As part of the core mission we have three additional objectives. Firstly, we are using a prototype full-ocean-depth bathymetric sonar to map each of the trenches we are working in to provide surety we have established the deepest point in each trench and to provide 3-D navigational data. Secondly, we are conducting science wherever and whenever possible, then sharing our findings via a documentary series on the Discovery Channel and a book.

The expedition has been described by Dr. Don Walsh (Pilot of the Trieste) as “one of the most ambitious exploration expeditions of the century.” He makes an important distinction; this is genuine exploration rather than a thrill-seeking adventure. While there is a sense of adventure along the way, the primary purpose of the Five Deeps Expedition is to prove the effectiveness deep submergence technology and to explore the outer limits of the hadal zone. We tried to encapsulate this in our motto ‘In profundo: cognitio’… In the depths; knowledge.

This has been a mission four years in the making.

Step one was having the drive and determination to go out and do it. Victor Vescovo is our founder and funder; he had achieved the ‘Explorer’s Grand Slam’ and was looking for his next challenge. A lot of people can talk a good game, but Victor fully committed, put the money on the table and that’s where it really began. Today, Victor is our Chief Pilot.

Step two was the big one. This was developing a vehicle that can get you to full ocean depth and back again! Triton Submarines deserve all the credit for this as they have created a truly remarkable vehicle, a two-person, full ocean depth submersible rated for an indefinite number of dives. She is a pathfinder; the most capable submersible ever built. Her full name is DSV Limiting Factor, but we all call her ‘LF’.