Discovery, Science Channel Doc to Explore Ocean Depths

Deep Planet for Discovery and Science Channel in 2019 will document the Five Deeps Expedition, which is sending a manned submersible vessel into the deepest points of the world’s five oceans.

The expedition is being filmed by Atlantic Productions, which is led by Anthony Geffen. “This is one of the most significant explorations and scientific expeditions of the last century,” Geffen said. “Each of the dives is like following a moon shot. Our partnership with Discovery Channel gives us the chance to bring millions around the world into the cockpit of the submersible and provide them with a viewing experience unlike any before it.”

“One thing that 30 years of Shark Week has taught us is that there are always more places to explore,” said Nancy Daniels, chief brand officer of Discovery and factual. “No one has spent more time in the ocean than Discovery, making us uniquely suited to bring this once in a lifetime expedition to audiences around the world.”

The Five Deeps Expedition is a collaboration between the investor and explorer Victor Vescovo of Caladan Oceanic—who will pilot the submarine—Triton Submarines and EYOS Expeditions. A two-person deep-sea research submersible—named the Limiting Factor—has been designed specifically for the expedition, which will include dives to the Puerto Rico Trench, the South Sandwich Trench, the Java Trench, the Mariana Trench and Malloy Deep.

Vescovo commented, “In 2015, I was very surprised to discover that no one had ever been to the bottom of four of the world’s oceans. I’ve always loved a great physical and technical challenge and like those currently attempting to push space technology to the limit, I thought it would be a great goal to push the absolute limits of marine technology. Our team includes the brightest and best in engineering and oceanography who have worked to create the most advanced submersible of its kind and will undergo the ultimate series of dive challenges. We sincerely hope to make history both technically and scientifically on this expedition.”

The scientific mission is being led by Dr. Alan Jamieson of Newcastle University. “Currently, we know more about the intricacies of the lunar surface than we do about the depths of our own oceans on earth,” he said. “The discoveries made on this expedition promise a world of new scientific innovation in almost every area of biological, geological and oceanographic study.”