German aerospace engineer Rüdiger Koch, 59, is spending 11 meters underwater off the coast of Panama to explore the idea of humanity’s potential future in the ocean. He has been living in a submersible capsule since September 26, documenting his life underwater. His project will surpass a previous record of 100 days underwater; he plans to resurface on January 24, extending the record by 20 days.
Koch’s capsule is a tight 30-square-meter space equipped with the bare essentials: a bed, a toilet, the internet, TV, and even an exercise bike. Isolated though he may be, he still stays in touch with the world outside. “The last time I checked, I was still married,” he quipped during an interview with AFP. A vertical tube connects his capsule to an above-water chamber that houses his team. They watch over his health and make sure he has all supplies; they also look for signs of danger.
Supported by Canadian Grant Romundt, Koch’s project was inspired by the “seasteading” movement advocating ocean-based living without government oversight. Of course, their mission wasn’t without challenges; a heavy storm nearly jeopardized the project, but Koch remains focused on his goal. The capsule also serves as an artificial reef, drawing marine life closer. “At night, you hear the crustaceans and see fish that weren’t here before,” Koch shared.
Four cameras keep track of all Koch’s activities and send reports back to his team about his health. A real shower awaits him when he comes back to land, but for now, his underwater home is his world. Visitors, including his family, doctor, and journalists, can access the capsule through the vertical tube.
An underwater living experiment, but not an unexplored voyage to understand what life will be in the future as regards to the ocean.
