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SHINKAI 6500 + HYPER-DOLPHIN:joint dive

Vehicle

DSRV[Deep Submergence Research Vehicle] SHINKAI 6500, Remotely Operated Vehicle HYPER-DOLPHIN, and their support vessels, YOKOSUKA and NATSUSHIMA will be introduced below which were utilized for the joint dive this time.

Manned Research Submersible SHINKAI 6500

DSRV[Deep Submergence Research Vehicle] SHINKAI 6500

SHINKAI 6500 can dive into the maximum depth of 6500 meter which is the record depth for the three-manned research submersible in the world. It brought about 800 researchers into the deep sea. SHINKAI 6500 expects its 1000th dive within 2007. Its major research targets are focused on the geography of the sea bottom and biology in the deep sea.


Remotely Operated Vehicle HYPER DOLPHIN

Remotely Operated Vehicle HYPER-DOLPHIN

HYPER-DOLPHIN was completed in 1999, and can dive into the depth of 3000 meter in the sea without man. It equips with high sensitive high-vision video cameras which were developed in cooperation with NHK for the convenience of imaging and research by the naked eye in addition to two sets of manipulators (robot arms) for the sampling in the deep sea.


Support vessel YOKOSUKA

Support vessel YOKOSUKA

Support vessel YOKOSUKA supports SHINKAI 6500 which can dive to the maximum depth of 6500 meter under the sea. YOKOSUKA is equipped with many other facilities for the observation and research on the surface of the sea bottom, fault, and geology in the deep sea for the extensive study in the deep sea and trench.


Research vessel NATSUSHIMA

Research vessel NATSUSHIMA

NATSUSHIMA started its service as the supporting vessel for SHINKAI 2000 which was the predecessor of SHINKAI 6500. After the service-off of SHINKAI 2000 in 2004, NATSUSHIMA has been operated as the supporting vessel for HYPER DOLPHIN, unmanned remotely operated vehicle. NATSUSHIMA is equipped with DEEP TOWs, deep-ocean floor survey system, single-chamber research equipment, and piston core dredge for the convenience for the observation and research in the deep sea and trench.