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Man in the Sea (1966)

1966 · Short film · 29 min

Synopsis

The U.S. Navy presents "Man in the Sea: The Story of SEALAB II", a look at the historic 1966 SEALAB II effort. Ten aquanauts; including Scott carpenter, took residency in an underwater chamber. “Man in the Sea” presents footage of the diving bell, both SEALAB I and II, the crew transfer vehicle, trained dolphins, practice sessions for craft recovery, sunken submarines and the process of decompression for the aquanauts. All three SEALAB’s were experimental underwater habits developed by the US Navy in the 1960s. Similar to the needs of space exploration; these experiments were developed to prove the viability of serving extended periods underwater in order to study the expansive ocean. SEALAB II was launched in 1965 in La Jolla Canyon off the coast of Scripps. Unlike the first SEALAB, this underwater sea world came equipped with hot showers and refrigeration. It opens as scuba divers dip low to the ocean floor with a melancholy (2:17) poetic ode to the sea. Shots follow of the first SEALAB (2:39). This mission carried a four man crew for seven days at a depth of 193 feet. Work commences for SEALAB II (3:07). It is presented by the US Navy (3:17). Captain Lewis Nelson of the US Navy (4:02) prepares for the launching. Trouble arises (5:12). A diver spills out into the water to inspect for leaks (5:22). The decision is made to continue the dive (6:04). The personnel transfer capsule (6:45) appears. The team readies to take a 15 day plunge (7:12). Master Diver Price (7:27) and…

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Details

Running time
29 minutes
Language
English
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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