Ocean Mission's Emergency Ascent Caused By Motor Burning Out

A drama in which a submersible made an emergency ascent from 250 meters (820 feet) below the Indian Ocean was caused by condensation burning out a small motor in the cockpit, the director of the British-led Nekton Mission said.

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Oliver Steeds told Media that the burnout produced an acrid smell of smoke which triggered the pilot’s emergency response.

“That’s all now been fixed so we’re confident now to undertake a dive,” Steeds said.

The American pilot, Robert Carmichael, and the passenger, British scientist Molly Rivers, donned breathing apparatus as the vessel neared the surface. Neither was hurt in Tuesday’s incident during a dive off the Seychelles.