The 274-foot research vessel Atlantis is the platform from which the deep-sea sub Alvin is deployed.
Both vessels are operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
In nautical parlance, Atlantis is referred to as the “tender” to Alvin, meaning that the ship’s
duty is to attend to the deep-sea sub.
Atlantis can carry up to 60 people, including crew, scientists, and technicians. The ship features hangars
for Alvin and ROVs (remotely operated vehicles), portable labs, a machine shop, library, laundry, and inflatable
rescue boats.
Scientists aboard the ship can communicate to colleagues and family back home by phone and via e-mail from shipboard
computers.
