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Putting Alvin Together Again

Every few years, the research sub Alvin is completely overhauled. Here, Alvin is reassembled during its first major refit in 1967. The crew included chief mechanic George Gibson (standing on sub), Val Wilson (kneeling beside him), George Broderson (holding guideline), and Chuck Poremski (in doorway). The sub’s early personnel sphere was white-painted steel and 6 feet in diameter. Alvin’s current sphere is made of titanium, but plans for upgrading Alvin include a new titanium sphere with nearly 20 percent more volume and the capacity to dive to 6,500 meters, compared to its current limit of 4,500 meters. (Photo courtesy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives)