Case Study: AlvinUpgraded Alvin Sub Passes Scientif c Sea Trialscientists gave the rebuilt Alvin an expedition that ended March 26 in stitution (WHOI). In January 2014, its submarine two thumbs up after which scientists and pilots put the new upgrade was complete and the sub was S? eld-testing the nation’s only hu- sub through its paces in a series of dives certi? ed by the U.S. Navy to return to man-occupied deep-sea research vehicle under real ? eld conditions. Their objec- operations. for the ? rst time after a major $42-mil- tives were to assess the upgraded sub’s “Alvin is functionally a new vehicle, lion overhaul that dramatically upgrad- new capabilities, to learn how to use and, before returning it to a full research ed the sub’s capabilities. them to the best advantage, to identify schedule, we wanted to test the vehicle, “We’ve tested the core functions of the bugs, and to troubleshoot them. ? gure out how best to use its new fea-new Alvin, and we believe we have a The Alvin upgrade was funded by the tures, and work out any bugs in order to great new tool for the scienti? c commu- National Science Foundation (NSF) and make Alvin‘s transfer back to science nity,” said Harvard University scientist augmented with some private support operations more seamless,” said Gir-Peter Girguis. He was chief scientist of from Woods Hole Oceanographic In- guis. He is chair of the Deep Submer-Atlantis crew members Patrick Neumann and Allison Heater assist in the recovery of Alvin following a test mission. They attach safety lines to support Alvin’s payload basket before it is lifted from the water. All photos courtesy of Chris Linder, Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionApril 201420 MTRMTR #3 (18-33).indd 20 MTR #3 (18-33).indd 20 4/9/2014 9:14:43 AM4/9/2014 9:14:43 AM