Vancouver-based Aquatica Submarines is preparing for an epic, deep-sea dive into the bottom of Belize鈥檚 Blue Hole, the biggest underwater sinkhole in the world.
Joined by Richard Branson and Fabien Cousteau, the historic dive will include a team of scientists, explorers and filmmakers that will illuminate the beautiful mysteries in the depths of this oceanic wonder.
What鈥檚 more, this epic voyage will mark the first government-sanctioned scientific submarine expedition in Belize since Jacques Cousteau鈥檚 maiden voyage in 1971.
鈥淪ituated in the center of Lighthouse Reef 40 miles off the coast of Belize, the Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole that is 1,043 ft (318 m) in diameter and 407 ft (124 m) deep. To put its size into perspective, the Blue Hole could easily swallow two entire Boeing 747s in one gulp, undiscoverable from the surface,鈥� reads a press release from the The Confluence Group.
鈥淭he Blue Hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System which is a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).鈥�
The expedition will take place this year, but the exact date has yet to be announced.
Based in Vancouver, Aquatica Submarines has emerged as an innovative pioneer in submersible technology space. They strive to, 鈥渙perate safe, robust and versatile manned submersibles for use in scientific, commercial and recreational endeavours.鈥�
They have also announced the creation of the Aquatica Foundation. This not for profit organization will focus on ocean restoration, ocean exploration, and ocean education.
The company鈥檚 Stingray 500 submarine will be one of two submersibles that adventure to the depths of the Blue Hole.
