View source for Deep-submergence vehicle

{{short description|Self-propelled deep-diving crewed submersible}}
[[File:Bathyscaphe Trieste hoisted.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|In 1960, [[Jacques Piccard]] and [[Don Walsh]] were the first people to explore the [[Challenger Deep|deepest part]] of the world's ocean, and the deepest location on the surface of the Earth's crust, in the [[bathyscaphe]] ''[[Bathyscaphe Trieste|Trieste]]'' designed by [[Auguste Piccard]].]]
[[File:World Deep Submergence Vehicles as of December 2020-1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Historical deep-submergence vehicles]]

A '''deep-submergence vehicle''' ('''DSV''') is a deep-diving crewed [[submersible]] that is self-propelled.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} Several navies operate vehicles that can be accurately described as DSVs. DSVs are commonly divided into two types: research DSVs, which are used for exploration and surveying, and DSRVs ([[deep-submergence rescue vehicle]]s), which are intended to be used for rescuing the crew of a sunken navy submarine, clandestine (espionage) missions (primarily installing [[wiretaps]] on [[undersea communications cables]]), or both.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} DSRVs are equipped with docking chambers to allow personnel ingress and egress via a manhole.

Strictly speaking, [[bathyscaphe]]s are not submarines because they have minimal mobility and are built like a balloon, using a habitable spherical pressure vessel hung under a [[liquid hydrocarbon]] filled float drum.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} In a DSV/DSRV, the passenger compartment and the ballast tank functionality is incorporated into a single structure to afford more habitable space (up to 24 people in the case of a DSRV).

Most DSV/DSRV vehicles are powered by traditional electric battery propulsion and have very limited endurance, while a few (like [[NR-1]] or [[Russian submarine Losharik|AS-12/31]]) are/were nuclear-powered, and could sustain much longer missions. Plans have been made to equip DSVs with [[LOX]] [[Stirling engine]]s, but none have been realized so far due to cost and maintenance considerations. All DSVs to date (2023) are dependent on a surface support ship or a mother submarine that can piggyback or tow them (in case of the NR-1) to the scene of operations. Some DSRV vessels are air transportable in very large military cargo planes to speed up deployment in case of emergency rescue missions.

==List of deep submergence vehicles==

===''Trieste''-class bathyscaphes===
; '''[[FNRS-2]]''' : The first bathyscaphe, developed by Swiss engineer [[Auguste Piccard]] and named after the [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[National Fund for Scientific Research|Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique]] (FNRS), the funding organization for the venture. FNRS also funded the ''[[FNRS-1]],'' a balloon that set a world altitude record, also built by Piccard. This bathyscaphe consisted of a gasoline filled float, 22 feet long and 10 feet wide, and oval shaped. Gasoline being less dense than water, would provide buoyancy for when the bathyscaphe needed to rise to the surface.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Shenton |first=Edward H. |title=Diving for science |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. |year=1972 |isbn=0-393-06380-1 |location=New York}}</ref> The ovular float was divided into six tanks for holding gasoline, having a combined total of 6,600 gallons.<ref name=":02" />

; '''[[FNRS-3]]''' : After damage to the ''FNRS-2'' during its sea trials in 1948, the FNRS ran out of funding and the submersible was sold to the [[French Navy]] in 1950. It was subsequently substantially rebuilt and improved at [[Toulon]] naval base, and renamed ''FNRS-3''. It was relaunched in 1953 under the command of [[Georges Houot]], a French naval officer.

; '''DSV-0 [[Bathyscaphe Trieste|''Trieste'']]''' : The X-1 ''Trieste'' [[bathyscaphe]] has reached [[Challenger Deep]], the world's deepest seabed. It was retired in 1966.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t8/trieste.htm |title=Trieste |publisher=History.navy.mil |access-date=2012-03-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317120249/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t8/trieste.htm |archive-date=2010-03-17 }}</ref>

; '''DSV-1 X-2 [[Bathyscaphe Trieste II|''Trieste II'']]''' : An updated bathyscaphe design, it participated in clandestine missions. ''Trieste II'' was retired in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t8/trieste_ii.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040308155258/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t8/trieste_ii.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-03-08 |title=Trieste II |publisher=History.navy.mil |access-date=2012-03-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url={{Naval Vessel Register service craft URL|id=DSV1}} |title=No Name (DSV 1) |publisher=Nvr.navy.mil |date=2009-09-14 |access-date=2012-03-27}}</ref>

===''Alvin''-class submersibles===
Originally designed for {{Convert|6000|ft|m|abbr=on}} operation, and initially built to a similar design, Alvin and her sister submersibles have been subsequently, independently upgraded.<ref name=mariner>{{cite web |url=https://catalogs.marinersmuseum.org/object/CL28071 |title= Turtle, Bathysphere (DSV-3), 1968, Hahn and Clay Co., Houston, Texas |work=[[Mariners' Museum and Park]] |year=2022 |access-date=18 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918093407/https://catalogs.marinersmuseum.org/object/CL28071 |archive-date=18 September 2022 }}</ref>  Utilizing [[syntactic foam]], these submersibles were more compact and maneuverable than earlier [[bathyscaphe|bathyscaphes]] like [[Trieste (bathyscaphe)|Trieste]], although not as deep diving.

; [[DSV Alvin|DSV-2 ''Alvin'']] : Launched in June 1964 with an initial depth capability of {{Convert|6000|ft|m|abbr=on}}; rebuilt in 1973 to {{convert|4500|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Owned by the [[United States Navy]] and operated under secondment by the [[Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution]] (WHOI) where it conducts science-oriented missions funded by the [[National Science Foundation]] (NSF), [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) and the [[Office of Naval Research]] (ONR).<ref>{{cite web|url={{Naval Vessel Register service craft URL|id=DSV2}} |title=No Name (DSV 2) |publisher=Nvr.navy.mil |date=1990-10-25 |access-date=2012-03-27}}</ref> ''Alvin'' operates from [[RV Atlantis (AGOR-25)|R/V ''Atlantis'']], an [[AGOR-23]] class vessel owned by the ONR and operated by WHOI under a charter party agreement. In 2004, the [[National Science Foundation]] funded a {{Convert|6500|m|ft|abbr=on}} capable replacement for Alvin, however the key components, such as a new titanium personnel hull, and funding were used to substantially rebuild Alvin in 2011 and 2020 instead.<ref name="2014 return">{{cite web |url= https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=130226&org=NSF |title=Alvin cleared to return to service |publisher=National Science Foundation |year=2014 |access-date=24 June 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624061518/https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=130226&org=NSF |archive-date=24 June 2023}}</ref> In 2022, Alvin was certified for 6,500 m operations.<ref name="2022_seatrials">{{cite web |url= https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/who-is-alvin-and-what-are-sea-trials |title=Who is Alvin |publisher=Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution |year=2022 |access-date=23 June 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325014149/https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/who-is-alvin-and-what-are-sea-trials/ |archive-date=25 March 2023}}</ref>
; [[DSV-3 Turtle|DSV-3 ''Turtle'']] : ''Alvin''{{'}}s identical sibling, launched in December 1968 and retired 1998. Owned and operated by the United States Navy.<ref>{{cite web|url={{Naval Vessel Register service craft URL|id=DSV3}} |title=No Name (DSV 3) |publisher=Nvr.navy.mil |access-date=2012-03-27}}</ref>
; [[DSV-4 Sea Cliff|DSV-4 ''Sea Cliff'']] : Another ''Alvin''-class DSV sub, launched in December 1968, retired in 1998, and returned to active service in September 2002. Since 1981, ''Sea Cliff'' has a depth capability of {{convert|6000|m|ft|abbr=on}},<ref name=mariner/> and is owned and operated by the United States Navy.<ref>{{cite web|url={{Naval Vessel Register service craft URL|id=DSV4}} |title=No Name (DSV 4) |publisher=Nvr.navy.mil |access-date=2012-03-27}}</ref>
; [[DSV-5 Nemo|DSV-5 ''Nemo'']] : Another ''Alvin''-class DSV sub, launched in June 1970 and retired in 1998. Owned and operated by the United States Navy.<ref>{{cite web|url={{Naval Vessel Register service craft URL|id=DSV5}} |title=No Name (DSV 5) |publisher=Nvr.navy.mil |access-date=2012-03-27}}</ref>

===''Star''-class DSV===
; ''Star II''
; ''Star III''

Both ''Star II'' and ''Star III'' were built by General Dynamics [[Electric Boat]] Division in Groton, Connecticut.  Both were launched on May 3, 1966, and were used for civilian research.

===NR-1–class DSVN===
; [[NR-1]] : a decommissioned US Navy nuclear powered research and clandestine DSV submarine, which could roll on the seabed using large balloon wheels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-nr1.html|title=NR 1 Deep Submergence Craft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041018011437/http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-nr1.html|archive-date=October 18, 2004}}</ref>

===''Aluminaut''===
; ''[[Aluminaut]]'' : a DSV made completely of aluminum by the [[Reynolds Metals]] [[Aluminum]] Company, for the US Navy, once held the submarine deep diving record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smv.org/info/aluminautEX.htm|title=Reynolds Aluminaut|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012020755/http://www.smv.org/info/aluminautEX.htm|archive-date=October 12, 2004}}</ref> It is no longer operational.

===''Deepsea Challenger''===
; ''[[Deepsea Challenger]]'' : a DSV made by the Acheron Project Pty Ltd, has reached [[Challenger Deep]], the world's deepest seabed.

=== ''Limiting Factor'' ===
[[File:Limiting Factor at the Cumberland East Bay (South Georgia Island).jpg|thumb|DSV ''Limiting Factor'' of [[Triton Submarines]] during sea trials]]
{{main|DSV Limiting Factor|label1=DSV ''Limiting Factor''}}
A submersible commissioned by [[Caladan Oceanic]] and designed and built by [[Triton Submarines]] of Sebastian, Florida. On December 19, 2018, it was the first crewed submersible to reach [[Puerto Rico Trench|the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean]], or 8,376 meters in the [[Brownson Deep]], thus making it the deepest diving, currently operational submersible.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popsci.com/victor-vescovo-five-deeps-submarine|title=An inside look at the first solo trip to the deepest point of the Atlantic|last=Dean 2018-12-21T17:15:00-05:00|first=Josh|website=Popular Science|date=21 December 2018|language=en|access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref> In August 2019, the submersible and its pilot, [[Victor Vescovo]], completed the "[[Five Deeps Expedition]]" with its support ship, the [[USNS Indomitable (T-AGOS-7)|DSSV ''Pressure Drop'']], becoming the first submersible to visit the bottom of all five of the world's oceans.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explorer Makes History by Completing Five Deeps Expedition|date=9 September 2019|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/09/five-deeps-expedition-completed-with-historic-dive}}</ref> Earlier that same month, a team of explorers and scientists used Limiting Factor to visit the [[wreck of the RMS Titanic|wreck of the RMS ''Titanic'']] in the North Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bnonews.com/index.php/2019/08/first-dive-to-titanic-in-14-years-shows-wreck-is-deteriorating/|title=First dive to Titanic in 14 years shows wreck is deteriorating|publisher=[[BNO News]]|date=2019-08-21}}</ref> On March 31, 2021, Caladan Oceanic announced having re-located, surveyed, and filmed the wreck of the World War II [[destroyer]] {{USS|Johnston|DD-557|6}}, sunk on October 25, 1944, in the [[Battle off Samar]] (in the [[Philippine Sea]] off [[Samar]] Island). ''Johnston'' lies at depth of {{cvt|21,180|ft|m}}, making ''Limiting Factor''{{'}}s expedition the deepest wreck dive in history.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Submersible crew completes the world's deepest shipwreck dive in history (USS ''Johnston'') |url=https://caladanoceanic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Samar-media-release-31st-March-2021.pdf |place= Offshore Samar Island, Philippine Sea |publication-place=Dallas, Texas |publisher=Caladan Oceanic |date=2021-03-21 |access-date=2021-04-01}}</ref>

===Priz-class DSRV===
; [[Priz]] : a DSRV class of five ships built by the USSR and Russia. The [[titanium]]-hulled Priz class are capable of diving to {{convert|1000|m|mi}}. These mini-submarines can ferry up to 20 people for very brief periods of time (in case of a rescue mission) or operate submerged for two to three days with a regular crew of three to four specialists. In early 2005, the Russian AS-28 Priz vessel was trapped undersea and subsequently freed by a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle|ROV]] in a successful international rescue effort.

===Mir===
; [[MIR (submersible)|''Mir'']] : a strictly civilian (research) class of two DSVs which were manufactured in [[Finland]] for the [[USSR]]. These bathyscaphe-derived vessels can carry three people down to depths of {{convert|6000|m|mi}}. After visiting and filming the [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic'']]'s wreck, the two ''Mir'' submersibles and their support ship were loaned to a US Pacific trench surveying mission in the late 1990s and made important discoveries concerning sulphuric based life in "[[black smokers]]".

===Kalitka-class DSVN===
; [[Russian submarine Losharik|AS-12]] : a Russian counterpart to the American [[NR-1]] clandestine nuclear DSV, is a relatively large, deep-diving nuclear submarine of 2,000 tons submerged displacement that is intended for oceanographic research and clandestine missions. It has a [[titanium]] pressure hull [[Multi-spherical hull|consisting of several conjoined spheres]] and able to withstand tremendous pressure — during the 2012 research mission it routinely dove to {{convert|2500|to|3000|m|mi}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lenta.ru/articles/2012/10/29/losharik/|title=Ледовый поход Лошарика|trans-title=The Losharik Ice Tour|language=ru|date=29 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://izvestia.ru/news/538268|title=Военный атомный батискаф "Лошарик" испытали в Арктике|trans-title=Military atomic bathyscaphe "Losharik" tested in the Arctic|author1=Alexei Mikhailov|author2=Vladimir Boloshin|date=29 October 2012|newspaper=[[Izvestia]]|language=ru}}</ref> with maximum depth being said to be approximately {{convert|6000|m|mi}}. Despite the three-month mission time allowed by its nuclear reactor and ample food stores it usually operates in conjunction with a specialized tender, a refurbished [[Delta III-class submarine]] [[BS-136 Orenburg]], which has its missile shafts removed and fitted with a special docking cradle on its bottom.

===''Konsul''-class DSV===
; [[Konsul class submersible|''Konsul'']] : a class of Russian military DSVs currently deployed onboard the Russian oceanographic research ship ''Yantar''. It is reported that the submersible and its sister sub ''Rus'' are used to conduct seafloor surveillance of marine communications cables and western underwater surveillance devices.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-01-03|title=What makes Russia's new spy ship Yantar special?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42543712|access-date=2021-03-14}}</ref> They are somewhat smaller than the ''Mir''{{'}}s, accommodating a crew of two instead of three, but are purely domestically produced vessels and have a higher maximum depth due to their [[titanium]] [[pressure hull]]s: during the tests the original ''Konsul'' dove to {{convert|6270|m|mi}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/07/07/52909574.html |title=Submersible Consul tested: Voice of Russia |date=2011-07-07 |access-date=2012-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908172222/http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/07/07/52909574.html |archive-date=2012-09-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===''Nautile''===
; ''[[Nautile]]'' : a DSV owned by Ifremer, the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea. The [[titanium]]-hulled ''Nautile'' is capable of diving to {{convert|6000|m|mi}}.

===''Shinkai''===
; [[DSV Shinkai|DSV ''Shinkai'']] : [[JAMSTEC]] (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) operated a DSV series called ''Shinkai'' ("Deep Sea"). The latest DSV is ''Shinkai 6500'' which could submerge to {{convert|6500|m|mi}} with three crew members. JAMSTEC was operating a [[Remotely operated underwater vehicle|ROV]] called [[Kaikō ROV|''Kaikō'']], which was able to submerge to {{convert|11000|m|mi}}, but was lost at sea in May 2003.<ref name="BBC News" />

===''Pisces''-class DSV===
; [[Pisces class DSV|''Pisces''-class DSV]] : three-person research submersibles built by International Hydrodynamics of [[Vancouver]] in [[British Columbia]] with a maximum operating depth of {{convert|2000|m|mi}} capable of dive durations of 7 to 10 hours. A total of 10 were built and are representative of late 1960s deep-ocean submersible design. Two (''Pisces IV'' and ''Pisces V'') are currently operated by [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] and the first production vehicle is on display in Vancouver. ''Pisces VI'' is active and operating from Tenerife, in the Canary Islands<ref>https://piscessub.com/</ref>.{{when|date=April 2021}}

===''Sea Pole''-class bathyscaphe===
Bathyscaphe series designed by the [[People's Republic of China]], and there are three derivatives known to exist by 2010:
; [[Sea Pole-class bathyscaphe|''Sea Pole''-class bathyscaphe]] : 1 built, 2nd unit developed into Jiaolong (Described below)
; [[Jiaolong (submersible)|''Jiaolong''-class bathyscaphe]] : Subclass of ''Sea Pole'' class, 1 built.
; [[Sea Pole-class bathyscaphe#Harmony class bathyscaphe|''Harmony''-class bathyscaphe]]: Subclass of  ''Jiaolong'' class, 1 built.

===''Fendouzhe'' DSV===
; [[Striver (bathyscaphe)|''Fendouzhe'']], or ''Striver''-class: a Chinese DSV that dove to an estimated depth of 10,909 meters in the [[Mariana Trench]] on November 10, 2020, the deepest ever for a Chinese submersible. It was supported by its mother ship, the ''Tansuo-1'' (''Exploration-1'') and its development began in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|last=陈柳兵|title=China's manned submersible Fendouzhe returns after ocean expedition|url=http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202011/28/WS5fc1c40ba31024ad0ba98212.html|access-date=2021-03-14|website=global.chinadaily.com.cn}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=June 2023}} The chief designer of the sub, Liu Yeyao, and two other Chinese oceanauts made the descent in what was the first three-person, welded titanium capsule to venture to full ocean depth.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Xi hails successful trials of submersible|url=https://www.chinadailyhk.com/article/151469#Xi-hails-successful-trials-of-submersible|access-date=2021-03-14|website=chinadailyhk}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=November 2021}}

===''Deep Sea Warrior'' bathyscaphe===
; [[Deep Sea Warrior (bathyscaphe)|''Deep sea warrior'']] or "''Shen-Hai Yong-Shi''": developed by [[China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation]] in 2017 and capable of diving up to a depth of 4,500 meters.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Science|first=Chinese Academy of|title=China's Manned Submersible Starts New Expedition {{!}} Science & Technology {{!}} News|url=https://www.oceannews.com/news/science-technology/china-s-manned-submersible-starts-new-expedition|access-date=2020-11-11|website=ONT|date=13 March 2020 }}</ref>

===''Ictineu 3''===
[[File:Submarí Ictineu 3 sencer.JPG|thumbnail|''[[Ictineu 3]]'' inside a [[warehouse]] in [[Sant Feliu de Llobregat]], [[Catalonia]], [[Spain]].]]
; ''[[Ictineu 3]]'' : a three-person crewed DSV. The hull is made of [[inox steel]] and it has a large {{convert|1200|mm|in|adj=mid|-diameter}} semi-spheric [[acrylic glass]] viewport. It is designed to reach depths of {{convert|1200|m|ft}}, thus being the ninth-deepest submersible, and it is capable of diving during 10 hours using [[li-ion batteries]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ara.cat/societat/LIctineu-sobreviure-submarins-treball-Catalunya_0_1355264476.html |title= L'Ictineu 3 lluita per sobreviure |trans-title=The Ictineu 3 fight to survive |language= ca |last1= Soro |first1= Selena |date= 11 May 2015 |publisher= [[Ara (newspaper)|Ara]]|access-date= 31 January 2016}}</ref>

===''Matsya 6000''===
; [[Matsya 6000|''Matsya 6000'' DSV]] : an Indian under-development crewed deep-submergence vehicle intended to be utilised for deep sea exploration of rare minerals in the [[Indian Ocean]]. It is capable of diving down to a depth of 6,000 m. First uncrewed trial was conducted on 27 October 2021 where the 'personnel sphere' was lowered to a depth of 600 m, off the coast of [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.jagranjosh.com/current-affairs/amp/samudrayaan-mission-indias-first-unique-manned-ocean-mission-all-you-need-to-know-1635580050-1|title=Samudrayaan Mission: India's first unique manned ocean mission – All you need to know|newspaper=[[Jagran Prakashan Limited|Jagran Josh]]|date=30 October 2021|access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/samudrayaan-project-for-deep-ocean-exploration-launched/article37244326.ece/|title=Samudrayaan project for deep ocean exploration launched|newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=30 October 2021 |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref>

=== ''Titan'' ===
; [[Titan (submersible)|''Titan'']]
'''''Titan''''', previously called '''''Cyclops 2''''', was an experimental [[submersible]] that imploded while transporting tourists to visit the wreckage of the ''Titanic'' in 2023. The submersible was created and operated by [[OceanGate]]. It was the first privately-owned submersible with a claimed maximum depth of 4,000 m (13,000 ft), and the first completed crewed submersible with a hull constructed of titanium and carbon fiber composite materials.

After testing with dives to its maximum intended depth in 2018 and 2019, the original composite hull of ''Titan'' developed [[Fatigue (material)|fatigue]] damage and was replaced by 2021. In that year, OceanGate began transporting paying customers to the [[Wreck of the Titanic|wreck of the ''Titanic'']], completing several dives to the wreck site in 2021 and 2022.

On June 18, 2023, ''Titan'' [[Titan submersible implosion|imploded]] during a dive to the ''Titanic''. All five occupants of the submersible were killed. OceanGate had lost contact with ''Titan'' and contacted authorities later that day after the submersible was overdue for return. A massive international [[search and rescue]] operation ensued and ended on June 22, when debris from ''Titan'' was discovered about 1,600 feet (500 metres) from the bow of the ''Titanic''.

===Other DSV bathyscaphes===
; [[Bathyscaphe Archimede|Bathyscaphe ''Archimède'']] : French-made bathyscaphe, operated around the time of the ''Trieste''.
; ''[[FNRS-4]]''

==Deepest explorers==
# {{flagicon|US}} {{Ship|DSV|Limiting Factor}}{{spaced ndash}}11,000 m<ref>{{cite news |title=Deepest Ever Submarine Dive Made by Five Deeps Expedition |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/deepest-ever-submarine-dive-made-by-five-deeps-expedition |access-date=23 June 2019 |work=The Maritime Executive |date=2019-05-14 |language=en}}</ref>
# {{flagicon|Switzerland}} {{Ship|Bathyscaphe|Trieste}}{{spaced ndash}}11,000 m<ref>{{cite news |title=DEEPSEA CHALLENGER Versus Trieste |url=http://www.deepseachallenge.com/the-sub/then-and-now/ |access-date=23 June 2019 |date=17 February 2012}}</ref>
# {{flagicon|Australia}} ''[[Deepsea Challenger]]''{{spaced ndash}}11,000 m<ref>{{cite news |last1=Amos |first1=Jonathan |title=Oceans' deepest depth re-measured |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15845550 |date=7 December 2011}}</ref>
#{{flagicon|China}} [[Striver (bathyscaphe)|''Fendouzhe'']]{{spaced ndash}}11,000 m<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|author=Ben Westcott|title=China breaks national record for Mariana Trench manned-dive amid race for deep sea resources|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/asia/china-record-dive-mariana-trench-intl-hnk/index.html|access-date=2020-11-11|website=CNN|date=11 November 2020 }}</ref>
# {{flagicon|France}} [[Bathyscaphe Archimede|''Archimède'']]{{spaced ndash}}9,500 m
#{{flagicon|China}} [[Jiaolong (submersible)|''Jiaolong'']]{{spaced ndash}}7,000 m<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jiaolong [Dragon] deep-sea submersible|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/jiaolong.htm|access-date=2020-11-11|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>
# {{flagicon|Japan}} {{Ship|DSV|Shinkai 6500}}{{spaced ndash}}6,500 m
# {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Konsul class submersible|''Konsul'']]{{spaced ndash}}6,500 m
# {{flagicon|US}} {{Ship|DSV|Alvin}}{{spaced ndash}}6,500 m<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/14/world/ocean-exploration-depth-alvin-scn/index.html|title=Humans can dive deeper into the world's oceans than ever before with Alvin|date=2022-10-14|work=CNN|access-date=2022-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref>
# {{flagicon|US}} {{Ship|DSV|Sea Cliff}}{{spaced ndash}}6,000m<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-03-30-me-29567-story.html|title=Vessel Returns to Point Loma : Navy Vehicle Takes a Plunge to a Record Depth|date=1985-03-30|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-06-27|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>
# {{flagicon|Russia}} {{Ship||MIR|submersible|2}}{{spaced ndash}}6,000 m
# {{flagicon|France}} ''[[Nautile]]''{{spaced ndash}}6,000 m

* Figures rounded to nearest 500 metres

==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="BBC News">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8080324.stm "Robot sub reaches deepest ocean"]. BBC News, 3 June 2009.</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Deep diving submarines}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160109071441/http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrservicecraft/c_DSV.htm "Deep Submergence Vehicle (S-P)"]. Naval Vessel Register.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120502061519/http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrservicecraft/c_DSRV.htm "Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (S-P)"]. Naval Vessel Register.
* https://web.archive.org/web/20041017224027/http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-dsrv.html
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000304054013/http://www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec-e/ships/index.html "Research Vessels and Vehicles"]. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8080324.stm "Robot sub reaches deepest ocean"]. BBC News, 3 June 2009.

{{Warship types of the 19th & 20th centuries}}
{{Underwater diving|other}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Deep-submergence vehicles| ]]
[[Category:Ship types]]