WORLD’S ONLY UNDERSEA RESEARCH LAB IS RESHAPING THE FUTURE OF OCEAN SCIENCE By JoAnn C. Adkins
Above the shimmering turquoise waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the world feels familiar — sun-drenched, accessible and vast. Just 60 feet below, where the light becomes an ethereal sapphire hue, a pressurized cylinder tethered to the ocean floor comes into view. Its signature yellow paint dominates the landscape. Corals have be-
come fixtures, like beautiful décor, all around its metal exterior. Unknown to many, this is Florida International University’s Aquarius Reef Base — the centerpiece of FIU’s Medina Aquarius Program. It is the world’s only underwater research laboratory. For decades, Aquarius has been a temporary home for aquanauts
who spend days or even weeks living and working underwater. Its existence is a testament to human ingenuity, allowing scientists to bypass the crippling time limits of traditional scuba diving and immerse themselves in the mysteries of the ocean. The story of Aquarius is set against a backdrop of sunken ambition.
Photos provided by Florida International University. 72
SUBBTEL FORUM | Issue 148