2007 MTS Overview of Manned Underwater Vehicle Activity

There are approximately 100 active manned submersibles in operation around the world; in this overview we refer to all non-military manned underwater vehicles that are used for scientific, research, tourism, and commercial diving applications, as well as personal leisure craft. The Marine Technology Society committee on Manned Underwater Vehicles (MUV) maintains the only comprehensive database of active submersibles operating around the world and endeavors to continually bring together the international community of manned submersible operators, manufacturers and industry professionals. The database is maintained through contact with manufacturers, operators and owners through the Manned Submersible program held yearly at the Underwater Intervention conference.The most comprehensive and detailed overview of this industry is given during the UI conference, and this article cannot cover all developments within the allocated space; therefore our focus is on a compendium of activity provided from the most dynamic submersible builders, operators and research organizations that contribute to the industry and who share their latest information through the MTS committee. This article presents a short overview of submersible activity in 2007, including new submersible construction, operation and regulatory activity of research, tourism, commercial diving and recreational applications. The scope of this article is limited to active atmospheric submersibles, and does not include historical, ambient pressure, or laid-up submersibles, which would be an entire article on its own. For a complete overview that includes submersibles not covered in this article, readers are invited to peruse the MTS Manned Underwater Vehicle online database at the committee's website (www.mtsmuv.org).