Mediterranean Expedition with Purpose
A French designer’s futurist vision of undersea exploration is one step closer to becoming a reality now that the SeaOrbiter is scheduled to begin construction in November of this year.
Jacques Rougerie’s high-tech floating laboratory has been designed to give scientists a mobile platform for underwater research that rides oceanic currents to new discoveries. Wet and dry laboratories, pressurized crew quarters, garages for submarines and ROVs and other fantastic features will be housed in an aluminum alloy vessel that towers nearly 90 feet above the surface, and plunges more than 100 feet below.
When deployed, its first mission will be to probe the Mediterranean for new species and sunken artifacts for a year before continuing on into the Atlantic, Pacific and beyond, all while broadcasting live video communications for educational purposes.
SeaOrbiter
- Designer: Jacques Rougerie
- Cost: $50 million
- Size: 190 feet tall (12 decks)
- Weight: 500 tons
- Construction: recycled aluminum
- Crew: 22 members
- Info: seaorbiter.com
![](/sites/default/files/styles/655_1x_/public/scuba/import/2013/files/_images/201306/scd0713_currmisc07.jpg?itok=z6PfKWsq)
Courtesy Jaques RougerieConstruction on the SeaOrbiter will begin in November, and the vessel will be made of recycled aluminum.
A French designer’s futurist vision of undersea exploration is one step closer to becoming a reality now that the SeaOrbiter is scheduled to begin construction in November of this year.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/655_1x_/public/scuba/import/2013/files/_images/201306/scd0713_currmisc08.jpg?itok=K9yDWO-c)
Courtesy Jaques RougerieThe SeaOrbiter project is aimed to discover new species underwater as well as recover sunken artifacts beginning in the Mediterranean.
Jacques Rougerie’s high-tech floating laboratory has been designed to give scientists a mobile platform for underwater research that rides oceanic currents to new discoveries. Wet and dry laboratories, pressurized crew quarters, garages for submarines and ROVs and other fantastic features will be housed in an aluminum alloy vessel that towers nearly 90 feet above the surface, and plunges more than 100 feet below.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/655_1x_/public/scuba/import/2013/files/_images/201306/scd0713_currmisc09_0.jpg?itok=KqpDrPbD)
Courtesy Jaques RougerieSeaOrbiter will broadcast live video communications for educational purposes while traveling the Pacific, Atlantic and beyond.
When deployed, its first mission will be to probe the Mediterranean for new species and sunken artifacts for a year before continuing on into the Atlantic, Pacific and beyond, all while broadcasting live video communications for educational purposes.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/655_1x_/public/scuba/import/2013/files/_images/201306/scd0713_currmisc10.jpg?itok=hjCP19DX)
Courtesy Jaques RougerieSeaOrbiter is slated to house 22 crew members.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/655_1x_/public/scuba/import/2013/files/_images/201306/scd0713_currmisc11_0.jpg?itok=uKplmKVA)
Courtesy Jaques RougerieJaques Rougerie's high-tech floating laboratory will tower nearly 90 feet above the surface and 100 feet below.
SeaOrbiter
- Designer: Jacques Rougerie
- Cost: $50 million
- Size: 190 feet tall (12 decks)
- Weight: 500 tons
- Construction: recycled aluminum
- Crew: 22 members
- Info: seaorbiter.com