In summary, then, the ocean, the largest single geographical feature of
our planet, is infinitely varied and infinitely complex. We are learning
it bears on our day-to-day living in ways we never suspected. It is the
largest resource of food for our exploding population, the largest
resource of minerals with which to support the world’s burgeoning
industries, the largest resource of energy, and, of course, it is the
largest supply of water. It is mankind’s largest dumping ground for the
wastes of cities and industries. It is the source of much pleasure and
recreation.
Men already have lived experimentally for weeks at a time on the bottom
of the ocean. Both sea floor laboratories and military bases are being
planned or, in a few cases, installed. Sea floor mining complexes are in
the conceptual design stage. It is only a matter of time before
recreational “aquotels” are built safely below the sea’s restless
surface. Private sports submarines are an actual, though costly,
reality. It is not inconceivable that in the not-too-distant future
human beings may overflow the land into complete, self-sufficient
communities below the oceans.
[Illustration: _In 1965 the U. S. Navy conducted a 45-day experiment
in its “Man-In-The-Sea” program in which 10 aquanauts lived and
worked 205 feet below the surface of the sea off La Jolla,
California. Their undersea base was Sealab II shown at her
christening._]
[Illustration: _Sealab II shown during final checkout before
descent. The aquanauts conducted experimental salvage operations,
marine research, and underwent a series of physiological and human
performance tests._]