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WildWings, 577 Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3AF.UK
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The Subs are back!
Another UK travel first for WildWings, first operated in 1998; deep sea exploration, a whole new realm visited until now only by scientists. The planet’s last great frontier and even now we are only beginning to explore it. Travel in the comfort of submersibles to view famous shipwrecks, amazing marine life and sites of natural wonder, take photographs and video. No scuba-diving experience is required for these unique trips, the air pressure inside the submersibles remains at one atmosphere throughout.
The Akademik Keldysh is one of the best known deep diving support vessels in the world. Our expeditions are only made possible with the support and expertise of the MIR submersible team lead by Dr Anatoly Sagalevitch and Captain Yuriy Gorbach and his crew. They are a highly skilled, professional team running one of the safest underwater operations in the world. The Keldysh and MIR I and II have been used for National Geographic photo and film projects, and director James Cameron’s epic motion picture ‘Titanic’ and subsquent IMAX movie ‘Ghosts of the Abyss’. The BBC Natural History Unit have also shot footage from our subs. By supporting science, DOE provides a unique and very rare opportunity for small groups of the general public to experience and explore hidden depths. Our clients have seen the wreck of the Titanic and the Undersea Thermal Vents of the oceans, only discovered back in the second half of the twentieth century, with their own eyes and lens. In August 2007 the MIRs finally reached the bottom of the sea at the North Pole. You could again shortly join the very select few.
In addition to its many laboratories, the Keldysh features a small library covering underwater geology, oceanography and deep-sea exploration. There is a sauna, outdoor pool and sports court. Your quarters aboard the Keldysh are comfortable with good meals are prepared by our western chefs. Your dive will be made aboard either the MIR I or MIR II submersibles. These are vessels capable of reaching ocean depths of 20,000 feet (6,090m). The MIRs habitat compartment is seven feet (2.1m) in diameter, accommodating one pilot and two passengers.
In 2005, DOE purchased a Dual Deepworker and two Deep Rover submersibles and a mothership, which has recently been upgraded to the state of the art, to carry and support them.
Our current selection of undersea adventures that we offer can be found below. These expeditions include your deep sea dive aboard MIR I or II, accommodations and meals aboard the Akademik Keldysh, port taxes and landing fees, group activities including lectures, briefings, slide and film shows plus applicable group travel features. Please contact us for the latest details, exact pricing and reservations.
Unique expeditions for the adventurer
Learn about the world’s deep oceans….first hand
Supporting scientific research
The descent…………
Following a final briefing, you’ll enter the submersible, and the Keldysh on-board crane will lift the MIRs into the ocean. After pre-dive testing, ballast water will be pumped into the tanks and you’ll begin your descent at a rate of 100 feet (31m) per minute. Three view ports, each seven inches thick will be your windows to this undersea world. By 800 feet (245m) all traces of sunlight will be gone and you will be immersed in total darkness. To conserve power, the MIR submersibles descend without external lights. However the pilot will, at times, switch them on to observe passing marine life. Even in the darkness, the ocean is alive. Be sure to look for tiny bioluminescent creatures, whose glowing characteristics require no lights to be seen. By 4,000 feet (1,220m) the interior of the MIR will start to cool and you may want to don extra clothing. Topside, the Keldysh (only occasionally out of voice contact) will help navigate the MIR below the ocean surface towards your expedition’s objective, cameras ready for action. As the descent finishes the pilot switches on the external floodlights and the ocean floor and it’s inhabitants are revealed, right in front of your eyes. Now your undersea adventure really begins!
Note: Clients must be flexible in terms of dates of travel (within a few days either side of their booked departure and disembarkation dates). Clients will dive subject to a final medical screening. Underwater experience is not required.
Please note DOE are not in the business of salvage work, and all shipwreck visits are respectful.
2011 Expeditions
Deep Ocean Expeditions
Operation Titanic
Gaze with your own eyes at the most famous shipwreck in the world! Your full day’s dive will show you both parts of the vessel laying on the seabed, nearly 2000 feet apart , the MIRs will spend 3-5 hours exploring the wreck and debris field. Outside still and video cameras will record each dive.
Day 1: Arrive St John’s. Orientation briefing and overnight.
Day 2: Board vessel and sail.
Days 3-4: Arrive above wreck site.
Days 5-9: Lectures, briefings, research and socialize with your fellow travellers aboard ship plus your deep dive to Titantic.
Day 10: Depart site.
Day 11: At sea.
Day 12: Disembark St John’s or St Pierre.
Dates: Two departures - June/July and /or August. To/from St Johns, Newfoundland. Price: £34,000* MIR Divers, approx £4,000* Non-divers. 12 days
Undersea Volcanoes (Hydro-thermal Vents)
A number of expeditions have operated to where many scientists still say the secret of life maybe yet discovered. Known to mankind only in the 20th century, join us as we continue to discover more new species to science and see it all with your own eyes. The Azores, in the Atlantic Ocean is our starting point for this unique natural history experience to explore the Rainbow Vents, undersea geysers sending superheated water from molten rock below into the cold ocean forming a unique habitat for life without sunlight.
Day 1: Arrive Azores, transfer to Pico, welcome briefing and overnight.
Day 2: Daytrip by local ferry to the island of Faial.
Day 3: Board vessel and sail.
Day 4: At sea
Day 5: Arrive over the Rainbow Vents, lay navigation transponders.
Days 6-12: Lectures, briefings, research and socialize with your fellow travellers aboard ship plus your deep dive to the Thermal Vents.
Day 13: Last dive and retrieve transponders.
Day 14: At sea, on deck Bar-B-Q.
Day 15: Arrive back and disembark Ponta Delgado.
Dates: August. To/from:The Azores. Price £24,700* MIR Divers, approx £4000* non-divers.
Battleship Bismarck
Be one of the very few people whose eyes have gazed on this famous second world war shipwreck. Dates: June or July. To/from Ireland. Price £27,000* MIR Divers, approx £4000* non-divers. 12 days.
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