Because the divers can be working at depths of up to 300m, it is essential that they spend the entire time underwater at the same pressure conditions as prevail at the depth they are working at. Before diving to the required depth, they use one of the chambers (Chamber 1) to adapt their bodies to this pressure over the duration of two days, and then proceed to one of the next two chambers (Chamber 2 or 3) which are forming the living and sleeping area of the system. This is where the divers will stay during their rest breaks over the next 21 days. A diving bell takes the divers to the workplace underwater and back to the deep sea diving system in the hull of the ship. After working for 21 days, the divers are given five to six days in Chamber 1 to adjust their bodies back to normal pressure. At the end of this process they are able to leave the chamber system.

Because the deepsea diving system features two chambers for living and sleeping (Chambers 2 and 3), two teams of up to six divers each can be deployed at the same time, while up to six divers can be locked in and out of Chamber 1 to adjust to the required pressure in preparation for their work or before returning to the ship.

Chamber 4/5 is used to transfer the divers to the diving bells, and also houses the sanitary facilities.

Supplied with the deepsea diving system, among other things, is a control system for the entire facility, a gas store and the saturation diving control and rescue systems. These also include a hyperbaric lifeboat in case the dive crew should require evacuation.

MJ Information No: 22515