Supporting research at depth

Conventional scuba diving limits bottom time to minutes. Saturation diving from an underwater habitat changes that. Two scientists and two support staff can live and work continuously aboard Vanguard for five days per mission, achieving bottom times nearly ten times longer than surface-based no-decompression dives allow.

Vanguard is deployed at 17 meters in the Tennessee Reef Conservation Area of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, with real-time data and internet connectivity via a surface support buoy. Shore-based operations - a training center and watch desk - are based at DEEP Station Florida in Marathon, approximately 29 km from the habitat site.

The program provides mission time and direct research sub-awards of up to $50,000 per team to qualifying Florida research teams selected through a competitive, merit-reviewed process.

This funding round was open to Florida public and private universities, colleges, and accredited research institutions.

The lead applicant was required to be a Florida institution, and the principal investigator must hold a qualifying appointment there. Multi-institution teams are permitted where one Florida lead must be designated as the primary recipient.

All personnel assigned to in-water or habitat operations must be able to meet DEEP’s dive, medical, and safety-readiness requirements prior to mission scheduling.

Awards are made on a cost-reimbursement basis. Applicants must be able to operate under reimbursement terms and meet state reporting and audit requirements. Overhead is capped at 10% of the total subcontract value.