Out With the Old

In 2011, WHOI engineering assistant Korey Verhein was part of a team that removed the electronics from Alvin‘s personnel sphere. This summer, engineers are installing a new, $15 million sphere that is 18 percent larger inside than the previous sphere. New control systems inside the sphere will increase the space availabel to a pilot and two observers even more, providing a more comfortable ride as an upgraded and improved Alvin eventually allows scientists to expand their reach to depths of 6,500 meters.(Photo by Tom Kleindinst, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)