DSV Limiting Factor

DSV Limiting Factor
Underwater view of the Limiting Factor floating at the surface from off the starboard bow
History
United States
NameLimiting Factor[1]
BuilderTriton Submarines LLC
In service2018
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeTriton 36000/2 crewed full ocean depth deep-submergence vehicle
Displacement12,500 kg (27,600 lb) all up weight
Propulsion10 ducted propeller fixed thrusters
SpeedLateral: 2–3 kn (3.4–5.1 ft/s; 1.0–1.5 m/s), Vertical: 1–2 kn (1.7–3.4 ft/s; 0.51–1.03 m/s)[2]
Endurance96 hours normal operations[2]
Test depth14,000 msw (46,000 fsw)[2]
ComplementPilot and observer

Limiting Factor, known as Bakunawa since its sale in 2022, is a crewed deep-submergence vehicle (DSV) manufactured by Triton Submarines and owned and operated since 2022 by Gabe Newell’s Inkfish ocean-exploration research organization.[3] It currently holds the records for the deepest crewed dives in all five oceans. Limiting Factor was commissioned by Victor Vescovo for $37 million and operated by his marine research organization, Caladan Oceanic, between 2018-2022.[4] It is commercially certified by DNV for dives to full ocean depth, and is operated by a pilot, with facilities for an observer.

The vessel was used in the Five Deeps Expedition, becoming the first crewed submersible to reach the deepest point in all five oceans.[5] Over 21 people have visited Challenger Deep, the deepest area on Earth, in the DSV. Limiting Factor was used to identify the wrecks of the destroyers USS Johnston at a depth of 6,469 m (21,224 ft), and USS Samuel B. Roberts at 6,865 m (22,523 ft), in the Philippine Trench, the deepest dives on wrecks.[6] It has also been used for dives to the French submarine Minerve (S647) at about 2,350 m (7,710 ft) in the Mediterranean sea, and RMS Titanic at about 3,800 m (12,500 ft) in the Atlantic.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference DNV 2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Technology specifications was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference sold_to_inkfish was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hackaday 2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC News 2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Guinness was invoked but never defined (see the help page).