US Deploys 220-Ton Underwater Habitat Near Florida Keys, Built to Survive Category-5 Hurricanes

DEEP has placed a 220-ton, four-person underwater habitat named Vanguard about 60 feet beneath the water near the Florida Keys, positioned close to an undersea slope for deeper research. The habitat repurposes an off-the-shelf decompression chamber, featuring a steel living compartment, a work area with scientific gear, and a “wet porch” with a moon pool for diver access. Its exterior honeycomb steel frame, massive base plate with ballast, and steel piles driven into limestone enable it to resist water flows up to 6 m/s during Category 5 hurricanes.

Prior to deployment, Unique Group conducted bathymetric, geotechnical and biological surveys with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to ensure no coral or conch damage, and sand was restored after installation. Power, oxygen and communications are supplied via umbilical lines from a surface buoy anchored by additional piles and moorings. Vanguard is undergoing DNV certification and DEEP expects its first paying researchers to arrive in early 2027, with continuous remote monitoring from Marathon, Florida.