From the sub, there is radio contact with the ship, and the two separate chambers on the sub have intercom and headset communications. One video and one still camera are mounted to the front and are controlled by the pilot and passenger. The video feeds two monitors on board, one in each chamber. Each camera is aimed by an array of lasers, four on the video and two on the still. External sensors give continuous readings of water temperature, depth, conductivity, and salinity.
Internal ones monitor oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and pressure.
Chamber pressure is maintained at one atmosphere. A mechanical arm and a number of collecting buckets are the essential tools of collecting specimens. These very rare specimens provide scientists with invaluable information, especially since they cannot be studied to any extent at such great depths. The arm has three ways to pick up specimens. There is a grasping claw, a suction tube, and a closing scoop, each mounted to the mechanical arm.