The Sea’s Resources
In summary, then, the ocean, the largest single geographical feature of our planet, is infinitely varied and infinitely complex. We are learning it bears on our day-to-day living in ways we never suspected. It is the largest resource of food for our exploding population, the largest resource of minerals with which to support the world’s burgeoning industries, the largest resource of energy, and, of course, it is the largest supply of water. It is mankind’s largest dumping ground for the wastes of cities and industries. It is the source of much pleasure and recreation.
Men already have lived experimentally for weeks at a time on the bottom of the ocean. Both sea floor laboratories and military bases are being planned or, in a few cases, installed. Sea floor mining complexes are in the conceptual design stage. It is only a matter of time before recreational “aquotels” are built safely below the sea’s restless surface. Private sports submarines are an actual, though costly, reality. It is not inconceivable that in the not-too-distant future human beings may overflow the land into complete, self-sufficient communities below the oceans.
In 1965 the U. S. Navy conducted a 45-day experiment in its “Man-In-The-Sea” program in which 10 aquanauts lived and worked 205 feet below the surface of the sea off La Jolla, California. Their undersea base was Sealab II shown at her christening.
Sealab II shown during final checkout before descent. The aquanauts conducted experimental salvage operations, marine research, and underwent a series of physiological and human performance tests.