Robert Vrijenhoek and Richard Lutz of Rutgers University, includes scientists from Rutgers University and the University of Washington in the U.S. and scientists from India, Great Britain and Portugal, as well as the Research Vessel Atlantis and submersible Alvin crews from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Alvin Expedition Leader and Chief Pilot Patrick Hickey of Mashpee, Massachusetts, is aboard the French submersible support ship L'Atalante to coordinate the joint diving activities. The Alvin pilots for the two joint dives July 11 and 12 with the French are expected to be Matthew Heintz of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and Robert Lee Williams of Jacksonville, North Carolina. However, the two subs never worked in sight of each other. The two Russian submersible MIRS have worked closely together, but the joint dives July 11 and 12 are believed to be the first time deep-sea subs from two nations have done so.
Scientists estimate that less than one percent of the entire ridge system has been explored.
Both Alvin and Nautile have worked on the ridge before, but rarely in the same location and never before in sight of each other. There are only six human-occupied subs in existence that can dive deeper than 10,000 feet. Atlantis and Alvin will head south to dive on other vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge beginning July 13, while the French will remain at the Rainbow site for further studies. Following completion of their vent work, Alvin and Atlantis are scheduled to arrive in Bridgetown, Barbados, August 1. The ship and sub will then travel to the Pacific to begin a two-year diving research program.