Divers do a final safety check of Alvin's hatch before the crew inside begin their descent to the seafloor.

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In the lab onboard R/V Atlantis, scientists examine samples of vent chimney rock for bacterial analysis.

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The 83-meter (274-foot) research vessel Atlantis is the platform from which the submersible Alvin operates. Atlantis can carry up to 60 people, including crew, scientists, and technicians. The ship features hangars for Alvin and ROVs (remotely opperated vehicles), portable labs, a machine shop, library, laundry, and inflatable rescue boats.

Alvin pilot Steve Faluotico navigates the sub along the seafloor. It's very cramped inside the sub, which typically carries two scientific observers in addition to the pilot. The scientists sit with their legs alongside each other, while the pilot crouches on a tiny, padded bench. A typical dive lasts eight hours.

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