Conch reef, Florida.
Since 1992 the Aquarius Underwater Laboraty provides as the last and only one underwater habitat a unique chance to learn more about our oceans. In order to continue this highly valuable scientific researches and much more the Aquarius Reef Base Foundation provides support.
Since October 2014 the Florida International University took the ownership.
And what about the medical issues? The manual/profile there are two hints:
– Medical supplies at Aquarius
– Medical issues to be reported immediately to the Watch Desk – where a crew is monitoring 24/7, located in Islamorada FL (15,4 km away from Aquarius).
“There is an eagle eye” on the safety. A stunning security system.
The Aquarius profile (see also factsheet 2014 from FIU)
– about 9 km offshore, hatch depth 14 m
– 82-ton cylindrical steel chamber, 43 feet (13 m) long and 9 feet (2,75 m) in diameter
– 120 ton baseplate anchored to the seabed
– Kitchen, work area and bunkroom for 6 (400 square feet – 37 m2)
– Air, real-time communication (internet, video, cell-phone), power through the swimming life support buoy
– work 24 hours, up to two weeks – 119 Aquarius projects till 2013
– world’s longest running and most detailed coral reef monitoring program
– backup high pressure air, oxygen, CO2 removal
– fast response and workboats, small boats for daily operations
In 2014 Fabien Cousteau spent 31 days there. Called Mission 31. Have a look at the fascinating video gallery. And more news in Twitter @ReefBase.
Comming back to my “quest” for places with extreme healthcare situations around the globe. Underwater healthcare is still an uncharted area when it comes to a service within an underwater habitat – bigger as the famous Aquarius and in a maybe not so distant future.
What a great job you’re doing there at the Aquarius project.
Maurice Codourey
The WOW hospitals blog 