Undersea explorer tested

Unlike other oceans, the deepest parts of the Black Sea contain no dissolved oxygen, so there are no sea worms to devour the wood of ancient vessels.

Off the coast of Turkey, Ballard said he has found a sunken Byzantine vessel so complete that even the 1,000-year-old masts still rise upward. Wreck sites are littered with containers once used for wine, oil, honey and other trade goods.

That's the kind of thing he looks for, underwater archaeology.

But what if he finds some unknown new creature, or strange bit of geology beneath the sea?

That's where the new communication system comes in.

"Scientifically, some of the remote expeditions would have benefited by having more experts on board and this is a way to get more experts," said Steve Gittings, scientific coordinator for NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program.

For example, he said, when researchers discovered hot-water vents deep in the ocean they had to mount additional trips to bring in experts to study the surprising worms and other life that existed in total darkness around the vents.

Now, with high speed communications, researchers would be called in to study high-definition images in real time.

Also, Gittings said, the system will be beneficial for education programs.

In the past, educational efforts were mounted after scientists returned, perhaps months after they completed a voyage. With the new system, students and teachers will be able to watch research as it happens.