Framed

In September, WHOI took delivery of a very important piece of equipment: the frame for the redesigned and upgraded submersible Alvin. Shown here next to Alvin‘s support ship, R/V Atlantis, the frame had to be enlarged and strengthened to support the sub’s new, larger personnel sphere. In December 2010, after Alvin returned to Woods Hole and was completely disassembled for an extensive overhaul and upgrade to eventually increase its depth rating from 4500 to 6500 meters. The sub will soon return to service as the world’s longest-serving human-occupied underwater vehicle. (Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)