The crew of the MIRs are very stringent in their diving process. Following a final briefing by Anatoly Sagalevitch, the submersible is ready to be entered, then the Keldysh's on-board crane will lift the submersible into the Atlantic's chilly waters. After pre-dive testing, ballast water will be pumped into the tanks and the dive to Titanic will begin. Three Plexiglas portholes, each 7 inches thick, will be the only window to this undersea world. The temperature inside the MIR can get very hot once the steel compartment hatch is closed.
To conserve power, the MIR submersibles run without external lights, however, the pilot will occasionally switch on the lights to observe passing marine life. Some marine life require no viewing lights; and these tiny bioluminescent creatures will be readily apparent as you descend. By 4,000 feet, the interior of the MIR will start to cool and extra clothing can be put on under your suit. Topside, the Keldysh (never out of voice contact) will help navigate the MIR to the wreck site via transponders.
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