An 80-metre-deep lake in the heart of Britain is holding a revolutionary secret. Here, away from the spotlight, a team of scientists and engineers are working on DEEP, a visionary project that promises to realise humanity's dream of colonising the oceans. With a mysterious donor set to invest hundreds of millions of pounds, this time it's not about dangerous madness (remember OceanGate?) but of a real scientific revolution.
Beyond extreme tourism
The disaster of the Titan of Oceangate has cast a long shadow over underwater tourism, revealing the risks of a profit-driven approach that is not very attentive to safety. Projects (even promising ones) have run aground under a bad lens and very bad popular perception. Say “submarine” and everyone says “madness”.
However, there are projects that are charting a completely different course. DEEP stands out for its rigorous and scientific approach, in collaboration with the international accreditation agency Det norske veritas (DNV) to ensure the highest safety standards.
An ambitious vision
“The goal is to live in the ocean, forever. To have permanent human settlements in all the world's oceans,” says Mike Shackleford, DEEP’s chief operating officer. This is no empty promise: the project, as mentioned, is already taking shape in Gloucestershire, where an 80-metre-deep lake serves as a testing ground for submersible vehicles and underwater structures.
DEEP’s home base isn’t just a testing center. It also includes a “training school” where scientists learn to live and work in underwater environments. The facilities include a full-scale prototype of the company’s “sentinel” underwater base: a recreational area with a six-meter diameter hemispherical dome and portholes that offer a panoramic view of the surrounding environment.
Who is the mystery donor?
This ambitious project is being made possible by an anonymous private investor, willing to invest hundreds of millions of pounds. The management team is keeping quiet not only about the exact size of the investment (it is known that it significantly exceeds the £100 million earmarked for the DEEP campus near Chepstow) but also about the identity of the benefactor.
Technology and innovation
The project requires the development of cutting-edge technologies, from next-generation submarines to a network of submarine bases called “sentinels”. DEEP maintains a transparent approach, documenting on own website the engineering processes and challenges faced, in stark contrast to the secrecy that characterized Oceangate.
Se Elon Musk dream of colonize Mars e Mark Zuckerberg invests in the “revived” metaverse, the DEEP project appears to offer more tangible benefits for humanity. Exploring and understanding the oceans could prove crucial to the future of our planet, provided that safety and scientific research remain a priority over profit.
A sustainable future
Unlike Oceangate, which sought to attract wealthy clients for short underwater excursions, DEEP aims to create a permanent human presence in the oceans. This approach could not only increase our understanding of marine environments, but also open new frontiers for scientific research and sustainable development. Let me remind you: 95% of our deep sea remains unexplored.
The challenges to face
The road to permanent underwater settlements is long and complex. In addition to technical and engineering challenges, the project will have to address safety, sustainability, and environmental impact. But with a rigorous scientific approach and adequate resources, DEEP could truly transform our relationship with the oceans, opening up new horizons for humanity.