Image

Venerable Ocean Explorer

In 41 years of operation, the submersible Alvin has logged more than 4,300 dives and 30,000 hours exploring the deep ocean, diving a combined total of more than 9 million meters along the way. Though a replacement sub is being designed right now, the oceanographic workhorse is expected to continue its work through at least 2010. (Bill Lange, Tim Shank, and the Alvin Group, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)