Colonize The Ocean

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.

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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 NASA
• The Scott Carpenter Space Analog Station, the two-person seafloor habitat he designed
• How the Atlantica concept took shape around 2006 and the goals set for 2008 through the early 2010s
• Why funding turned out harder than expected, and what's happening now
• Similar designs, including DEEP's Sentinel program
• Two books every underwater habitat fan should read: "Undersea Colonies" (Dennis Chamberland) and "Living and Working in the Sea" (Ian Koblick and James Miller)

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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.

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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-up

Do you think Proteus will get built? Tell us in the comments.

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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.

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In this episode of Colonize the Ocean, we’re diving into another intriguing underwater habitat concept suspended in state-of-the-art limbo: Habitat Waterford.

Designed by Shaun Waterford out of Australia back in 2008 and famously featured in Popular Science circa 2010, this project had major momentum. With claims of a 70% completed prototype and ambitious plans to break world records with a 90-day subsea stay, Habitat Waterford was poised to make waves—until progress seemingly ground to a halt.

What makes it unique?

• Igloo-Style Design: Moving away from traditional open moon pools, it features a unique aquatic entry zone that leads into a dry living environment.

• 1-Atmosphere Habitat: Set at a depth of around 15 feet, allowing divers to come and go without complex decompression schedules.

• Build-On-Demand Concept: Still advertised as deployable in both freshwater and saltwater environments worldwide.

Brendon shares the history, design breakdown, current updates, and firsthand insights from personal industry conversations on why bringing ambitious subaquatic habitats from concept to reality is so challenging.

Will Habitat Waterford ever hit the water, or is it destined to stay on the drawing board? Watch to find out, and let us know your thoughts in the comments!

https://www.habitatwaterford.com/

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The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers a premier luxury experience through The Muraka, a residence submerged five meters below the ocean surface. This high-end suite features a transparent acrylic dome that provides guests with panoramic views of wild marine life, including frequent sightings of blacktip reef sharks. While nightly rates can reach up to $50,000, the resort ensures safety through advanced engineering and constant monitoring by specialized teams. Despite the presence of large predators just inches away, experts state the animals are generally attracted by curiosity rather than aggression. This unique destination highlights a growing global interest in exclusive underwater tourism for adventurous travelers.

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In this episode of Colonize the Ocean, Brendon Traxler continues the “What Happened To…” series with Planet Ocean Underwater Hotels — the veteran-owned, patented movable underwater hotel concept from Tony Webb.

First public around 2011–2012 and patented in 2014 (U.S. Design Patent D736947), the plan is a modular luxury hotel of guestroom pods at about 30 feet, one atmosphere, with surface access — similar in layout to concepts like Poseidon Undersea Resort. Early estimates were roughly $20 million to build and $3,000–$6,000 per night. By 2026 the advertised rate is around $10,000 a night.

The story has shifted over the years: Key West origins, a long quiet stretch, a UAE/Dubai and blue-economy/coral-restoration push, then Louisiana fabrication talk (Houma / Morgan City, LSU outreach), and 2026 claims that construction has begun with a ~9-month window. Brendon has spoken with Webb multiple times, respects the design ideas, and is frank about the long record of unfulfilled timelines and a difficult working style. Time will tell — watch the next six to twelve months.

https://www.planetoceanunderwaterhotel.com/

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The DEMA Show 2026 is a premier trade-only event scheduled for November 3–6 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. This milestone gathering celebrates the 50th anniversary of the global diving industry's most significant convention, featuring over 500 exhibitors and 250 educational sessions. Designed for professionals in the scuba diving, travel, and water sports sectors, the expo serves as a vital hub for networking, sourcing equipment, and exploring business partnerships. Attendees can access comprehensive resources for registration, hotel bookings, and specialized seminars tailored for retailers and instructors. By uniting thousands of experts from more than 60 countries, the event aims to showcase the latest technical innovations and shape the future of the diving market.

https://www.demashow.com/

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Colonize the Ocean | Sept 21, 2026 | Aquanautic Adventures, Argoneta & Underwater Glamping

Welcome back to Colonize the Ocean with Brendon Traxler. In this September 21, 2026 episode, Brendon looks at underwater habitats still sitting in limbo — projects that might happen, might not, and the ones he’s cheering on anyway.

This week’s focus is Aquanautic Adventures from North Carolina startup Argoneta, co-founded by Ivan Francis and Andrew Lamm. Ivan was one of the first aquanauts at Jules’ Undersea Lodge after COVID. Brendon interviewed him years ago when the designs were larger and the timeline more aggressive. The concept has since shrunk into a shallow 20–25 ft “tiny house” habitat: scuba-access only, one or two guests, more luxury glamping than research station.

The pitch: spend 24 hours underwater, earn aquanaut certification, and stay in Caribbean water (Bahamas or Jamaica have been mentioned) for an intro rate around $1,000 a night after a $100 deposit, with regular nights closer to $1,500. That’s in the same neighborhood as Jules in Florida — except this one is still designs, deposits, and beautiful renders.

Brendon talks through what’s real vs. what’s still on the website, how hard these habitats actually are to build, and why he’s still rooting for Ivan to pull it off.

https://www.beaquanautic.com/

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