First Descent is a series of expeditions to explore and conserve the world’s most unknown and least protected ocean, The Indian Ocean.
The mission combines innovations in technology, AI, big data and communications in a bold bid to achieve the greatest coordinated impact.
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First Descent Trailer [narrated by Morgan Freeman]
It's about time we took the next giant leap: into the deep ocean.
The deep ocean – beneath 200m (656 ft) – is the beating heart of our planet, and our largest and most vital ecosystem. Yet for some reason we have better maps of Mars than we do of our own seabed and at least 95% remains unexplored. The most important part of our planet is the least known and this clearly isn't very sensible.
We now have the technology to discover more of our planet in the next ten years than we have in the past 100,000. It's time to go deep.
When we journey into the unknown, we move forward
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A Deeper Dive
Join Nekton Mission on a submersible dive for a journey of original exploration, deep into the last great unknown frontier on our planet.
Journey to the deep 360
This ground-breaking 360 VR mini-documentary was shot with multiple 360 rigs deploying two Triton submersibles, technical divers and ship-based crews during Nekton Mission I - the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey - off Bermuda, NW Atlantic.
Nekton Mission I - Discovering the Rariphotic Zone:
Results from Nekton Mission I – the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey confirms the discovery of a new zone in the ocean, the Rariphotic Zone (Rare Light Zone) from 130metres to 300metres.
Virtual Reality 360 film of Journey to the Deep
The first descent to the deepest point in the ocean in 1960 has been brought to life with an immersive 360 VR film. The voyage to full ocean depth is narrated by US Captain Don Walsh who is one of two men who retain the record to this day for the deepest ever manned submersible dive to
CONSERVATION THROUGH EXPLORATION
Our ocean is undergoing rapid ecological transformation by human activities
The scientific consensus is that we must have an enforced protected area covering at least 30% protection of the ocean by 2030 to support a resilient ocean and a resilient planet.
The Mission begins in Seychelles in March 2019. At least 50 first descents are planned to dive into the unknown depths to generate critical data to support Seychelles’ commitment to protect 30% of their national waters by 2020, equivalent to nearly twice the size of the entire United Kingdom. Seychelles are a beacon for ocean conservation.
First Descent deploys a raft of new cutting-edge research, sampling, survey and video technologies from our state-of-the-art submersibles and remote operated vehicles. First Descent is broadcast live from our submersibles and Mothership and distributed globally.
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