Nereus (underwater vehicle)

Nereus
History
United States
NameNereus
OwnerWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
OperatorWHOI
BuilderWHOI
Acquired1995
Commissioned2009
In service2009~2014
HomeportWoods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
FateImploded due to high pressure in Kermadec Trench 10 May 2014
General characteristics
Typeremotely operated underwater vehicle
Tonnage2,800 kilograms (6,200 lb)
Length3 metres (9.8 ft)
Installed powerelectrical (rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries)
Speed3 knots
Test depth10,902 metres (35,768 ft)
Complementunmanned
Sensors and
processing systems		side-scan sonar & LED search lights

Nereus was a hybrid uncrewed autonomous underwater vehicle (HROV, a type of remotely operated underwater vehicle) built by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Constructed as a research vehicle to operate at depths of up to 11,000 metres (36,000 ft), it was designed to explore Challenger Deep, the deepest surveyed point in the global ocean. Nereus, named for Greek sea titan Nereus (who has a man's torso and a fish-tail) through a nationwide contest of high school and college students, began its deep sea voyage to Challenger Deep in May 2009 and reached the bottom on May 31, 2009.[1][2]

On this dive the Nereus reached a depth of 35,768 feet (10,902 m), making the Nereus the world's deepest-diving vehicle in operation at the time, and the first since 1998 to explore the Mariana Trench, the deepest known part of the ocean.[2][3]

On 10 May 2014, Nereus was lost while exploring the Kermadec Trench at a depth of 9,900 metres (32,500 ft). Communications were cut off at around 2 p.m. local time, and debris retrieved later revealed that it imploded due to high pressure.

  1. ^ Harlow, John (22 February 2009). "Old rivalries surface as US races to sea's deepest spot". London: The Sunday Times UK. Retrieved 2009-02-22.[dead link]
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bbc was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference woodshole was invoked but never defined (see the help page).