DEEP, the ocean tech pioneer, is doubling down on its U.S. footprint with a $100 million bet on subsea innovation. At the heart of this expansion is Project Vanguard, a crewed underwater habitat that hasn’t been built in four decades. This isn’t just a splashy project—it’s a strategic play to establish Florida as the nerve center for subsea engineering and Houston as a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing.
Vanguard, currently under construction in Florida, is designed for week-long missions, supporting everything from scientific research to spaceflight training. But here’s the kicker: It’s the first underwater habitat to earn DNV classification, setting a new global benchmark for subsea safety. DEEP isn’t just building a habitat; it’s constructing an entire ecosystem for human life beneath the waves.
The project is a team effort, with Triton Submarines, Bastion Technologies, and Unique Group bringing their A-game in submersible design, aerospace engineering, and marine services. This isn’t just about one habitat—it’s about creating a blueprint for the future of underwater living.
Meanwhile, DEEP’s new Houston facility will use Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing to produce large-scale metal components for maritime, offshore, and aviation industries. This isn’t just about scaling up—it’s about embedding DEEP in the U.S. industrial landscape while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
The big question is: How will this expansion reshape the subsea industry? With Vanguard leading the charge, DEEP is positioning itself as the go-to player for underwater innovation. But beyond the headlines, this move could accelerate the adoption of subsea habitats for research, commercial diving, and even space analog training. It’s a bold step toward making the ocean a more accessible frontier—and one that could redefine how we interact with the deep.
This isn’t just about building a habitat. It’s about building a future.