A UK-based company, DEEP, has announced ambitious plans to construct an underwater base capable of sustaining human life and work for extended periods. The facility, expected to be located up to 200 meters beneath the ocean’s surface, will accommodate at least six people and could mark the beginning of humanity’s transition into an aquatic species.
Situated in Gloucestershire, near the Welsh border, DEEP draws comparisons between its project and the International Space Station (ISS), envisioning a permanent human presence beneath the waves. The initiative aims to unlock new frontiers of ocean exploration, much like space research has expanded humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
At the heart of DEEP’s vision is the Sentinel platform, a fully integrated underwater habitat system. The project includes next-generation submersibles, specialized diving suits, and a cutting-edge training and safety framework developed at the DEEP Institute.
“The Sentinel platform is not just a product, but a system,” explained Steve Etherton, President (EMEA) at DEEP. “While undeniably groundbreaking, this is only the first step toward building a robust infrastructure to expand human knowledge of the ocean. NASA is not a rocket manufacturer, and likewise, DEEP is not just a Sentinel manufacturer.”
The project is the result of two years of intensive research into advanced manufacturing techniques and materials science. DEEP has pioneered the largest Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) 3D printing capability in Europe to construct components for the Sentinel system.
Following rigorous evaluation, DEEP has secured design approval in principle from DNV, a globally recognized certification and classification authority.
“The Sentinel system is not just a theoretical concept or a marketing tool,” stated Michael Shackleford, DEEP’s President (Global Infrastructure). “We are well into advanced engineering and approval stages, and manufacturing has already begun.”
With two-thirds of the planet covered in oceans, DEEP’s initiative could offer unprecedented insights into marine ecosystems while enabling long-term human habitation beneath the sea. By venturing deeper, the company aims to enhance scientific research, develop new marine technologies, and potentially revolutionize undersea industries.
As space exploration continues to push the limits of human potential, DEEP’s Sentinel habitat could soon bring the same level of discovery and innovation to the vast, uncharted depths of Earth’s oceans.
