Press Releases


May 22, 2007
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Test Dives for Safety Confirmation of "SHINKAI 6500"

The test dives of the Manned Research Submersible "SHINKAI 6500" of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC; Mr. Yasuhiro Kato, President) were carried out in March this year. When the pilot touched the boundary between the pressure hull and hatch cover, a slight gap was felt at the dive on March 12. Precise measurement and test dives for safety confirmation will be conducted as described below. As soon as the safety is confirmed, planned research dives will be resumed.

Description

Test Dive Schedule: May 31 (Thu.)~June 13 (Wed.), 2007
To confirm safety of the hatch cover, seven test dives are planed. Now we are selecting test areas.
Due to the test dives, the research dives of May 23 ~June 7 (Cruise No. YK07-09) and June 9 ~ 21 (Cruise No. YK07-09) have been cancelled.

(Reference) About "SHINKAI 6500"

Length: 9m, Beam: 2m, Height: 3m, Weight in the air: 26.7tons, Maximum operation depth: 6500m
It is the manned submersible which can dive to most deeply depth in the world now. It conducts research dives in ocean around the world and contributes to studies such as earthquakes, dynamics of the earth, and deep sea ecosystems.
For details, please visit;http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/equipment/ships/shinkai6500.html.

Contacts:

(About the test dive)
Dr. Yasutaka Amitani
Director, Department of Applied Ocean Engineering,
Marine Technology Center (MARITEC)
(About the schedule)
Mr. Tetsuo Uchida
Group Leader, Operations Group, Research Vessel Management and Operations Department
Marine Technology Center (MARITEC)
(About publication)
Mr. Shinji Oshima, email; press@jamstec.go.jp
Manager, Planning Department, Press Office JAMSTEC