Vanguard has the feel and aroma of a brand-new RV. It features lengthy, gray seating areas that convert into sleeping spaces, a microwave cleverly concealed beneath a counter, a practical steel sink with a French press and dishes above. A quirky little toilet is cleverly hidden behind a curtain.
However, certain indicators suggest that you cannot simply start Vanguard’s engine and drive off the premises. The most noticeable is its door, a substantial steel disc equipped with a wheel that turns to secure it.
Once it is secured and relocated to its permanent position below the surface of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary early next year, Vanguard will be the world’s first newly constructed subsea habitat in almost four decades. Teams of four scientists will inhabit and operate on the seabed for a week at a time, entering and exiting the habitat as scuba divers. Their tasks may encompass reef restoration, species assessments, underwater archaeology, or even astronaut training.
One of Vanguard’s sections, awkwardly referred to as the “wet porch,” has a permanent gap in the floor (also known as a “moon pool”) that remains dry because Vanguard’s air pressure is harmonized with the surrounding water.
This pressurization is what renders the habitat exceptionally versatile. Scuba divers working at its optimal operational depth of 50 meters typically require a lengthy stop on their ascent to avoid decompression sickness. This excruciating and potentially deadly condition, commonly known as the bends, occurs if divers ascend too rapidly. A traditional 50-meter dive affords scuba divers only a few minutes on the ocean floor, and they can manage only a couple of such dives each day. With Vanguard’s atmosphere matching the water pressure, its aquanauts must decompress only once, at the conclusion of their stay. They have the potential to dive for many hours on a daily basis.
This could unlock numerous new avenues for scientific research and exploration. “Extended periods in the ocean create a realm of possibilities, enhancing discoveries, inspiration, and solutions,” stated Kristen Tertoole, Deep’s chief operating officer, during Vanguard’s reveal in Miami in October. “The ocean is the life support system of Earth. It regulates our climate, sustains life, and hosts enigmas we’ve barely begun to investigate, yet 95% of it remains undiscovered.”
Subsea habitats are not a recent innovation. Jacques Cousteau (of course) launched the first in 1962, albeit it was only about the size of an elevator. Larger habitats emerged in the 1970s and ’80s, reaching sizes comparable to Vanguard.
Nonetheless, technology has advanced significantly since then. Vanguard employs a tethered connection to a buoy above, referred to as the “surface expression,” which conveys fresh air and water down to the habitat. It also features a diesel generator to support a Starlink internet connection and a tank to manage wastewater. Norman Smith, Deep’s chief technology officer, states that the company has simulated the most severe hurricanes expected in Florida over the next two decades and designed the tether to endure them. Even in the most adverse scenario where the connection fails, Deep asserts that Vanguard possesses sufficient air, water, and energy storage to sustain its crew for at least 72 hours.
This figure was sourced from DNV, an independent classification organization that assesses and certifies various marine vessels for commercial insurance eligibility. Vanguard will be the inaugural subsea habitat to achieve a DNV classification. “This entails complying with the regulations and all the complex, frustrating processes that accompany it, but assures that on a fundamental level, it’s going to be secure,” asserts Patrick Lahey, the founder of Triton Submarines, a manufacturer of classified submersibles.
While Deep anticipates that Vanguard will facilitate decades of productive science, its primary purpose for the organization is to validate technologies for its intended successor, an advanced modular habitat named Sentinel. Sentinel modules will span six meters in width, double the diameter of Vanguard, equipped with elegant staircases and single-occupant quarters. A modest deployment could accommodate a crew of eight, similar to the International Space Station. A larger Sentinel system could support 50 individuals, positioned up to 225 meters deep. Deep claims Sentinel will be launched sometime in 2027.
Ultimately, as per its mission statement, Deep aspires to “make humans aquatic,” indicating that enduring communities are part of its long-term vision.
Deep has not publicly revealed the name of its primary investor, but business documents in the UK suggest that as of January 31, 2025, a Canadian individual, Robert MacGregor, held at least 75% of the shares of its holding company. According to a Reuters investigation, MacGregor once had connections to Craig Steven Wright, a computer scientist who claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of bitcoin. However, Wright’s assertions of being Nakamoto eventually collapsed.
MacGregor has maintained a very discreet public presence in recent years. When approached for comments, Deep spokesperson Mike Bohan declined to discuss the connection with Wright, describing it as inaccurate, but stated: “Robert MacGregor began his career as an IP attorney in the dot-com era, transitioning into blockchain technology, and has a wide range of interests including philanthropy, real estate, and presently Deep.”
In any event, MacGregor might find sustaining that low profile more challenging if Vanguard succeeds in revitalizing ocean science and exploration as the company envisions. The habitat is scheduled to be deployed early next year, following final operational evaluations at Triton’s facility in Florida. It will greet its first group of scientists shortly thereafter.
“The ocean is not solely our resource; it is our duty,” asserts Tertoole. “Deep extends beyond a singular habitat. We are constructing a comprehensive capability for human presence in the ocean.”
