WBUR talks all things Alvin with WHOI’s Anthony Tarantino

Woods Hole, MA – On June 5th 2024, the world’s most recognized and widely used deep submersible program celebrated sixty years of safe, successful scientific study. On this day in 1964, the human-occupied submersible Alvin was christened at the WHOI dock. Alvin has helped scientists expand human knowledge of the ocean and inspired countless individuals to learn more about its connection to our planet and to society. Based at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the Alvin Group is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Navy, and NOAA.

In its more than 5,200 dives, Alvin has provided more than 3,000 researchers with unprecedented access to the deep ocean. Some of its most notable expeditions include a descent to the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, aiding in the discoveries of hydrothermal vents and ancient deep-sea corals in the Galápagos, and participating in a national response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster.

Alvin Pilot Anthony Tarantino spoke with WBUR about his time aboard. He's been taking expeditions on the submersible for more than 20 years and has been witness to many scientific discoveries.