WOODS HOLE – A search-and-recovery mission has been launched to find a missing Argentinian submarine.
The research vessel Atlantis, operated out of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, arrived in the area on December 2nd.
The U.S. Navy’s Cable-operated Underwater Recovery Vehicle was flown in from Dover Air force Base in Delaware the day before.
The submarine went missing November 15th with 44 crew members aboard.
The CURV weighs 6,400 pounds and is equipped with sonar, which can detect targets in extremely deep waters, and high-resolution camera systems.
It is controlled by a tether that transmits real-time data back to the ship and can dive up to 20,000 feet.
If the sub is found, it will provide a close-up inspection, document its condition, and perhaps find clues that will determine the cause of the accident.
Phoenix International will operate CURV.
They have previously worked with WHOI, including exploration of the Titanic.