Colonize The Ocean

We're back from DEMA 2026! This week on Colonize the Ocean, I recap two days on the show floor with Babe, from new dive gear to conversations about the future of underwater habitats.I share highlights from Tec Clark’s entrepreneurship panel, a wrist-worn scuba communicator that uses lights and vibration, and the dive masks that caught my eye. Plus, what ASC went to DEMA to accomplish and the mix of no’s, maybe’s and promising conversations we came home with.Were you at DEMA? What stood out to you?Support ASC and vote in our weekly poll on Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/atlantisseacolonyLearn more and sign up for our newsletter at ASC.http://atlantisseacolony.com/#DEMA2026 #DEMAShow #ScubaDiving #DiveIndustry #UnderwaterHabitats #UnderwaterLiving #ColonizeTheOcean #ASC

As the artificial intelligence boom demands unprecedented amounts of electricity, land, and freshwater, tech leaders are turning to an unexpected solution: submerging data centers underwater! In this deep dive, we explore how underwater data centers utilize natural seawater cooling and renewable energy sources like offshore wind farms to slash energy overhead and eliminate heavy water consumption.From commercial milestones—like China’s massive wind-powered subsea project off Shanghai—to technical hurdles such as environmental regulations, geopolitical risks, and high-stakes subsea hardware maintenance, we break down why subsea computing is an operational reality gaining serious traction for land-scarce regions.If you enjoy tech breakdowns and deep dives into the future of computing, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!https://atlantisseacolony.com/#ArtificialIntelligence #DataCenters #TechTrends #UnderwaterDataCenter #GreenTech #SubseaComputing #CleanEnergy #TechInnovation #FutureOfTech #OffshoreWind #SustainableTech #AIInfrastructure

This week Babe and I are heading to New Orleans for DEMA Show 2026, the world's largest dive industry trade show and its 50th anniversary year. So what is DEMA, why is it such a big deal, and what is ASC hoping to get out of it?We talk about how DEMA is different from Underwater Intervention, the speakers and new tech on the show floor, why we're going to network rather than set up a booth (yet), a full dive helmet with the air built in that we saw at a past show, and the startups and R&D teams we'd love to partner with to bring living, working and vacationing underwater closer.Going to DEMA? We'll be there Thursday and Friday, Nov 5–6. Let us know and let's meet up. Not going? Follow along for our recap.Support ASC and vote in the weekly poll on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/atlantisseacolonyhttp://atlantisseacolony.com/#DEMA2026 #DEMAShow #ScubaDiving #DiveIndustry #UnderwaterLiving #ColonizeTheOcean #AtlantisSeaColony #NewOrleans

This episode details the innovative movement of seasteading, which involves establishing independent floating communities and businesses in international waters beyond traditional governmental control. Speaker Joe Quirk explains how successful ventures like Mitchell Sutner's Reef Resort demonstrate the viability of ocean-based aquaculture and tourism, while also highlighting the practical benefits of escaping oppressive local land jurisdictions. By utilizing legal frameworks such as Panamanian flagging, pioneers are able to secure maritime autonomy and foster unique governance models. Furthermore, the narrative illustrates how water naturally shapes human cooperation, transforming initial community friction into collaborative societies. Ultimately, the vision projects a future where modular platforms like Arcpads facilitate jurisdictional arbitrage, biotech innovation, and entirely new ways of living outside conventional land-based constraints.https://atlantisseacolony.com/#Seasteading #FloatingCommunities #InternationalWaters #OceanLiving #MaritimeAutonomy #Aquaculture #ReefResort #JurisdictionalArbitrage #PanamanianFlagging #ModularPlatforms #Arcpads #BlueEconomy #OceanGovernance #BiotechInnovation #FreedomAtSea #Seasteads #FutureOfLiving #WaterCommunities #OffshoreInnovation #IndependentGovernance

We've been promised underwater living for 60+ years, so where is it? Brendon wraps up the "What is happening to..." series by breaking down why so few underwater habitats ever get built.In this episode:Funding: why raising money is harder than you think, even for a name like CousteauAmbient pressure vs one atmosphere, and why scientists stick with ambient pressureSiting, permits and legal red tapeSaltwater corrosion and never-ending maintenanceInsurance, waivers and legal costsWhat it costs: Aquarius vs ProteusWhy ASC is still pushing forwardComing up:We'll be at the DEMA Show next week. Watch for content from the floor.The ASC newsletter launches in early November. Sign up at the bottom of our website for underwater news, podcast episodes and ASC updates.Take our weekly poll on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/atlantisseacolony⁠Sources for figures shown on screen:Aquarius Reef Base, est. $5.5M build cost (1986–87), 43 ft long: FIU Aquarius fact sheet (2019), https://environment.fiu.edu/aquarius/ ; Los Angeles Times, Nov 30, 1987Proteus (Fabien Cousteau), $135M reported estimate for the build plus the first 3 years of operations: Scuba Diving (2020), https://www.scubadiving.com/fabien-cousteau-building-135-million-underwater-space-station ; Impact Lab (2020)http://atlantisseacolony.com/Hashtags: #ColonizeTheOcean #UnderwaterHabitat #OceanExploration #Aquarius #Proteus #Aquanaut #OceanTech #ASC

The provided text outlines the complex installation of Vanguard, a pioneering underwater habitat recently deployed in the Florida Keys. Lead naval architect Chris Burden describes the sophisticated system, which consists of a stabilizing base plate, the living quarters, and a support buoy that provides essential power and communication. The project faced significant logistical hurdles, including unpredictable weather conditions, technical equipment failures, and mandatory pauses to protect local sea turtle populations. Despite these challenges, the team successfully utilized heavy machinery and divers to secure the structure to the seabed. This accomplishment represents a major milestone for the company DEEP, signaling the beginning of a new era in subaquatic research and habitation.http://atlantisseacolony.com#VanguardHabitat #FloridaKeys #OceanExploration #DEEP #SubaquaticResearch #NavalArchitecture #ChrisBurden #MarineEngineering #UnderwaterLiving #MarineTech #SeaTurtleProtection #OceanScience #SubseaEngineering #MarineConservation #UnderwaterHabitats #FutureOfLiving #OceanDiscovery #ScubaDiving #MarineBiology #TechInInnovation #CoastalEngineering #OceanTech #UnderwaterResearch

Atlantica was designed to be the first permanent undersea human colony. This week on Colonize the Ocean, we look at where the project came from, who is behind it, and where it stands today.In this episode:Dennis Chamberland and his 30 years at NASAThe Scott Carpenter Space Analog Station, the two-person seafloor habitat he designedHow the Atlantica concept took shape around 2006 and the goals set for 2008 through the early 2010sWhy funding turned out harder than expected, and what's happening nowSimilar designs, including DEEP's Sentinel programTwo books every underwater habitat fan should read: "Undersea Colonies" (Dennis Chamberland) and "Living and Working in the Sea" (Ian Koblick and James Miller)If you enjoy the show, subscribe and like. It helps more people find it.Vote in this week's poll and support the show on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/atlantisseacolony⁠⁠https://atlantisseacolony.com#ColonizeTheOcean #Atlantica #UnderseaColony #UnderwaterHabitat #Aquanaut #OceanExploration #ASC

The Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup is spearheading a massive development project in Hạ Long known as Vinhomes Global Gate, a vast ecosystem covering over 6,200 hectares. A central attraction of this endeavor is an expansive aquarium complex featuring diverse aquatic environments inspired by the Amazon and the mythical city of Atlantis. The project's most ambitious feature is a record-breaking underwater restaurant designed to accommodate more than 1,000 diners simultaneously. By utilizing massive glass architecture, the venue aims to provide an immersive 360-degree experience within a colossal saltwater habitat. This development represents a shift toward large-scale culinary tourism, moving away from the traditionally small and exclusive nature of submerged dining rooms. Ultimately, the site seeks to integrate luxury living with world-class entertainment and unprecedented maritime engineering.https://atlantisseacolony.com/#Vingroup #VinhomesGlobalGate #HaLong #Vietnam #UnderwaterRestaurant #AquariumComplex #Atlantis #Amazon #LuxuryLiving #CulinaryTourism #360DegreeExperience #GlassArchitecture #MaritimeEngineering #MegaProject #Vinhomes #HalongBay #TourismVietnam #UnderwaterDining #SaltwaterHabitat #WorldClassEntertainment

Fabien Cousteau's Proteus was pitched as an "ISS of the sea," so where does it stand today?In this episode of Colonize the Ocean, Brendon wraps up our series on what's happening with existing underwater habitat projects. Proteus grew out of Mission 31, Fabien's 31 days living at Aquarius in 2014. It was announced in 2020 as a modular, roughly 4,000 sq ft research habitat planned for Curaçao, with a sub dock honoring Jacques Cousteau's Conshelf II, a submersible garage, a medical area, living quarters, and what was billed as the first underwater greenhouse (Nemo's Garden might have something to say about that).In 2024, at the Man in the Sea event in Florida, Brendon met with Fabien and saw a redesigned Proteus. Fabien said the biggest obstacle is still funding.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:20 What is happening to Proteus?1:00 Mission 31 at Aquarius1:41 Proteus is announced (2020)2:32 The design: modular, sub dock, greenhouse3:50 Man in the Sea 2024 and meeting Fabien4:45 The redesigned Proteus5:08 Will it ever get built?5:39 Patreon poll and wrap-upDo you think Proteus will get built? Tell us in the comments.🗳️ Weekly poll and support: https://www.patreon.com/atlantisseacolony🌊 Atlantis Sea Colony: https://atlantisseacolony.com#Proteus #FabienCousteau #UnderwaterHabitat #ColonizeTheOcean #OceanExploration

Researchers from Yunnan University have successfully engineered and tested perovskite solar cells capable of generating electricity at depths of up to 10 meters underwater. By utilizing a specialized polymer additive, these panels can efficiently charge lithium-ion batteries in just two hours, even while submerged in the ocean. This technological breakthrough significantly expands the potential for self-powered marine systems, such as autonomous drones, sensors, and communication equipment. While the energy output naturally decreases as water depth increases, each unit is estimated to remain operational for over five years. This development represents a major step forward in creating sustainable energy solutions for long-term sub-sea exploration and environmental monitoring. Moving forward, scientists must still address challenges like biofouling, where organic growth on the panels could eventually block necessary sunlight.https://atlantisseacolony.com/#PerovskiteSolar #SolarEnergy #CleanTech #RenewableEnergy #OceanTech #MarineInnovation #YunnanUniversity #UnderwaterSolar #SubseaExploration #GreenTech #MarineScience #FutureTech #SustainableEnergy #LithiumIon #TechBreakthrough #OceanMonitoring #AutonomousDrones #Biofouling #MarineSensors #SolarInnovation