One example of this technology being used, is to explore the Titanic. The wreck of the Titanic was discovered by WHOI in 1985 and they started exploring the wreck in 1986. One of the systems that helped locate the Titanic is called Argo. Argo is a system of cameras and sonars. According to the article Ships & Technology used during the Titanic Expeditions, “ It could acquire wide-angle film and television pictures while flying 50 to 100 feet above the sea floor, towed from a surface vessel, and could also zoom in for detailed views.” Argo can operate for 24 hours a day, according to the article Ships & Technology used during the Titanic Expeditions, “ Argo was designed to operate in the rugged terrain of undersea mountain ranges. The towed sled, capable of operating depths of 6,000 meters (20,000 feet), meant 98% of the ocean floor was within reach. The original Argo that was used to find Titanic was 15 feet long, 3.5 feet tall, and 3.5 feet wide and weighed about 4,000 pounds in air. It had an array of cameras looking forward and down, and strobes and incandescent lighting to illuminate the ocean floor.” Argo was designed to improve our ability to explore the ocean floor.
Another vehicle that was used to explore the Titanic was called Alvin. Alvin is an HOV, human occupied vehicle. HOV's take people to the ocean floor and can stay there for short amounts of time. They usually can carry around three people. Alvin can do several different things, he can hover or rest on the ocean floor. According to the article Ships & Technology used during the Titanic Expeditions, “ Typically, four video cameras are mounted on the sub's exterior. Because there is no light in the deep sea, the submersible carries special lights to illuminate the bottom. Two hydraulic, robotic arms may be used to manipulate sampling and experimental gear.” Alvin can also hold up to 1,000 pounds of the scientists gear and in total Alvin has made over 4,000 dives.