AssetID: 55826568
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: First US underwater habitat in 40 years lowered onto seabed off Florida reef
Caption: First US underwater habitat in 40 years lowered onto seabed off Florida reef. A futuristic underwater habitat has been installed 56 feet beneath the Florida Keys, marking the first open-ocean human habitat deployed in the US in 40 years. Named Vanguard, the pressurised base will allow teams of four aquanauts to live and work underwater for five days or longer. Built by British subsea technology company DEEP, the habitat is designed to advance ocean exploration, conservation and scientific research. Scientists will use Vanguard as an underwater home and laboratory to monitor coral reefs, marine ecosystems and the impacts of climate change. Living on the seabed will give researchers far more time to observe marine life than traditional diving expeditions allow. The habitat will also study how humans perform in extreme underwater environments, helping prepare for future subsea missions.
Keywords: Science & Technology,First,US,underwater,habitat,Florida,reef,futuristic,Florida Keys,open-ocean,human habitat,Vanguard,pressurised base,aquanauts,subsea,technology company,DEEP,laboratory,coral reefs,marine ecosystems,climate change,underwater environments,marine life
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