The Thomas-G-Thompson: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On May 10, 2014, at precisely 2 p.m. local time, the hybrid remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Nereus was tragically declared lost at an astonishing depth of 9,990 meters in the Kermadec Trench, situated northeast of New Zealand. This unmanned craft was dedicated to a groundbreaking mission aimed at probing the ocean's hadal zone, extending from 6,000 to nearly 11,000 meters beneath the surface. Researchers indicate that Nereus likely faced a catastrophic implosion due to the immense pressure of approximately 16,000 pounds per square inch. At the time of its loss, the Nereus had reached the 30-day mark of a 40-day expedition aboard the research vessel "Thomas G. Thompson." This venture was part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Hadal Ecosystems Study (HADES) project, headed by chief scientist Timothy Shank, a prominent biologist from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) who also played a pivotal role in the vehicle's design. During a meticulously planned nine-hour dive to the trench's depths, the team aboard the ship lost communication with Nereus just seven hours into the descent. When attempts to follow standard emergency recovery protocols did not yield results, the crew began conducting a search operation in the vicinity of the dive site. Their efforts soon led to the discovery of debris floating on the ocean's surface, which was later confirmed to belong to Nereus, suggesting a sudden and devastating implosion. The ship's crew continues to collect the debris, hopeful that it can provide vital insights into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident.