Robert Ballard and crews prepare deep sea submersible,"Alvin", for an expedition to the Caribbean

The research vessel,"Knorr," at harbor in Woods Hole, Massachussets. Oceanographer Robert Duane Ballard and crews of "Knorr", and "Lulu" prepare for Caribbean expedition, by test diving the deep sea submersible, "Alvin" in local waters. Mr.Ballard discusses his techniques to study the evolution of the Earth's surface. Ballard leaves the Knorr, aboard a skiff, and proceeds to the mother ship,"Lulu", where the deep diving submersible, "Alvin" is kept. Crewmen make adjustments to the "Alvin" and lower it by winches and cables, through an opening in the "Lulu" deck. Ballard and his pilot enter the Alvin for an 8 hour operation check run. Rear view of Alvin bobbing in the open space within the Lulu. several smimming divers release lines from the Alvin. An operator aboard the Lulu clears the Alvin for a dive. The research vessel moves underwater. Underwater views of the Alvin. Interior views of the Alvin, showing instruments and meters. At 3000 meters depth, they are in complete darkness, and the pilot turns on lights. Ballard notes underwater features. A surge of sand and mud rises from the Alvin's propeller. He takes photographs of creatures and sea bottom. The Alvin surfaces after the dive and is met by swimmers who dive from the Lulu, and climb aboard to assist in the return and securing of the deepsea submersible in its berth aboard the mother vessel, "Lulu."