US Navy 010707-N-3093M-003 Diver Transfer Capsule

010707-n-3093m-003 atlantic ocean (july 7, 2001) -- the personnel transfer capsule (ptc) is raised to the surface of the atlantic after an eight-hour dive on the historic wreck site of the uss monitor off the coast of cape hatteras, n. C. The ptc is part of a civilian saturation dive system leased by the u. S. Navy and transported to the site aboard the derrick barge “wotan”. The barge is serving as the main support vessel for phase ii of the monitor 2001 expedition, the sixth expedition by the navy and the national oceanographic and atmospheric administration (noaa) to preserve the historic vessel. The saturation system maintains the divers inside under pressure for days at a time so they may work without decompressing between dives. The ptc is their taxi between the topside saturation living quarters and the work site some 240 feet below the surface. U. S. Navy photo by chief photographer’s mate andrew mckaskle. (released).